Susan here, thinking not so much about what we read as where we read—what are your favorite spots for reading books? Here at Word Wenches, we—authors and readers both—all love books and reading, and we’re often discussing our all-time favorites or our current reads, or whatever book we might be writing just now. And you all are always right there with us, sharing your love of books too. Our reading stacks are growing exponentially and of course we’re all doing our best to read, savor and enjoy all these wonderful books . . . .
But where? What’s your favorite preferred reading spot? A favorite comfy chair, a sofa in a quiet room, relaxing in bed with lots of pillows and a good book before sleeping? Are there books stacked in a basket beside your bathtub? Do you prefer sitting outside on a porch or a deck, or in a peaceful corner of the garden? If you’re at the beach, do you take a book or would you rather watch the waves rush in and out? Are you a reader when traveling by car, train, plane, boat, or does that motion combined with print make you a wee bit woozy? Do you listen to audiobooks while traveling or commuting? What spot creates for you the perfect atmosphere for reading? Comfort, lighting, quiet or a little background sound--or some outdoor location, a little breeze, a little sun--what sets the stage for magical reading?
Here’s one of my reading corners in the house—an oak rocker in a sunny spot (we have two “presidential” style rockers and I love them—one belonged to my mom and is a genuine Kennedy rocker made by the same D.C. craftsman who made JFK’s famous rocker in 1961). The room is quiet, with filtered sunlight and walls of bookcases, and is away from the activity in other parts of the house. The chair is comfortable, fits me well, supports my back, rocks lightly if I want, and its generous armrests have room enough for writing and note-taking on a lap desk that I keep tucked nearby. I’ve been doing a lot of reading in this chair lately, staying out of the heat of summer. I also love to read in one of the big comfy chairs on our back deck, getting a little sun or sitting under the big umbrella out there, listening to birds ... though the heat and humidity can send me back inside before I finish a chapter. Pretty much, though, I’ll read anywhere I can—comfy chair, propped in bed, riding in a car (when driving, I love a good 
audiobook), sitting at the kitchen table, lounging on a sofa, or just about anywhere there's a book and a little time.
Reading is an art in itself. What we contribute to the symbiosis between author and reader to animate the story, how deeply we dive and focus and retain to draw out the most we can get from fiction or nonfiction, how we learn, how we benefit, what we do with that knowledge and new understanding. Reading and books can bring us peace as well as excitement--can change us and enhance our lives and the way we live them.
So where are you reading? Tell us about your favorite places!
Here's a gallery of some very contented readers—in chairs, sitting by windows, in bed, in the garden, in a library, by the seashore, in moonlight, on a train . . .
