Between the Lines: Reading Habits

Many people in the world love to read, but it’s always interesting to see how different people approach it. Therefore, in today’s post, I thought I would share a few of my reading habits with you.

In my childhood, and during my student days, I was pretty much an around-the-clock reader, though there was a particular focus on afternoons and evenings. Nowadays, I occasionally grab an odd 10-15 minutes during the day to read, but the bulk of my reading takes place at night, just before sleep, because I am too busy with other things during the daylight hours.

One thing I’ve always envied is the ability some people have to read on the move. If I try to read on a train or in a car, it tends to make me feel queasy. And on a plane, I am simply to tired (if it’s long haul) or unable to concentrate wedged in close proximity to others.

Another place I can’t read is in coffee shops. I can’t write there either. Some people thrive on the ambience, but I find the constant noise and movement too distracting. For both reading and writing, I prefer absolute silence so I can concentrate completely and lose myself in the text.

What about positions? Well, nothing kinky going on there! While I can read in a chair, I generally do most of my reading lying in bed, snug under the covers. That’s where I feel most comfortable with a book.

When it comes to format, however, I’m pretty easy going. My reading tends to be a 50/50 split between eBooks and print, and I don’t favour one over the other in terms of the actual act of reading, though I like to buy print for reference works, classics, and new releases from my favourite authors—ones I know I will want to reread and keep on the shelf always.

Due to my personality, I also have to finish each reading session at the end of a chapter. I can’t bear to stop and put a bookmark in place mid-scene. If the next chapter happens to be an even number, that’s even better. (One of my little foibles!)

Although I have a few tattier books (well-read by me or acquired second hand), I generally keep my books as pristine as possible. Often there won’t be so much as a single crease in the spine when I am done. They could be resold as new, and no one would ever know. Therefore, I rarely lend books, as I can’t stand it when they come back trashed.

So, those are a few of my reading habits. What are some of yours? And which of the images in the infographic apply to you? Obviously, I am a Night Owl Reader. To my mind, there’s nothing better than snuggling up with a good book before bed!