The Soothing Soak: A Bathtub Reader

by Melcher Media (Editor)

From the same team that produced the wildly popular Aqua Erotica comes The Soothing A Bathtub Reader, a collection of sensuous and spiritually uplifting stories, meditations, and poetry. The Soothing Soak is the perfect companion for bathers in search of solitude, relaxation, and revelation, and features lyrical journeys of self-discovery by best-selling and prize-winning authors such as Diane Ackerman, A. S. Byatt, Lao Tzu, D. H. Lawrence, Barry Lopez, Rumi, Henry David Thoreau, and Terry Tempest Williams. Printed in Melcher Media's patented waterproof DuraBook format, readers can take the book right into a warm bath and unwind with it. Filled with luminous writings that celebrate the balanced life, this book is the perfect antidote to a stressful day.

Genres: Fiction, Anthologies

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Melcher Media is a New York-based book packager and publisher founded by Charles Melcher in 1993. Known for creating visually inventive and physically distinctive books, the company has produced over 175 titles, including 30 New York Times bestsellers such as An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore and The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant. Melcher Media has also created companion books for hit productions like Hamilton, Stranger Things, and Wicked. It pioneered DuraBooks, a patented waterproof and recyclable book format, and launched the Future of StoryTelling (FoST), a summit celebrating innovation in digital-era storytelling.

Reviews

[Annabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Printed on "entirely waterproof" paper, this "bathtub reader" with the dainty cover (different from the current and only one on the Goodreads file) emits a lovely scent--I detect a hint of exquisite bath oil and bubbles. Which is most fitting for this selection of samplers from a random, eclectic pool of poets, philosophers, and writers, the subject of water being the common denominator. Among the luminaries here, I'm familiar with Mary Oliver, Anne Sexton, D.H. Lawrence, A.S. Byatt, Robert Graves, Rumi, Lao Tzu, and J.R.R. Tolkien. The stories I'm likely to remember are A Lamia in the Cevennes by A.S. Byatt*, Sun by D.H. Lawrence, The Infinite Passion of Expectation by Gina Berriault, Brothers and Sisters Around the world by Andrea Lee, and Loving by Sallie Bingham. And the poetry of Robert Graves, Neither Our Far Nor In Deep, and Krishnamurti's The River of Life (from Think on These Things).

*"Start with A.S. Byatt," I was told by Danny Reyes, that gentlest of gentlemen, and the giver of the book. Sure enough, A Lamia in the Cevennes is easily the most excellent read here.

[lyssidoll · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was… okay, for what it was? I don’t know how else to describe it. The poetry was great, I love any kind of poetry but especially when wound together with nature. That being said, the rest felt a bit convoluted with the short stories feeling thrown in simply because of the mention of water. I understand this is meant to be a “bath read” and this was definitely that, but it felt a bit slow. Like I said though, the poetry was beautiful.

[LINDA]

I can't wait to read this book waterproof book while soaking in the bathtub!

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book of short stories and poems. I reread it every once in awhile. I wish there were more waterproof books, because the looks I get at the pool reading this book are hilarious.