The Not-So Austen Bookclub discussion

Each of us has that special place where we go to escape the world that we live in. It could be the couch, our beds, even that old rocking chair in the loft. Maybe it's in our heart of hearts, our 'Happy Place' as it was called back in our school days. Maybe there's an ultimate reading place out there that you long for. Wherever, whatever it is, spread the magic, and share it here.

Good topic, Leyah!

Well, for physical places, I usually do most of my reading in my bed. It is the comfiest thing with its temperpedic down cover with these huge squashy pillows. I love reading there. If I'm not in my bed, though, I'm curled up on the couch with a bunch of pillows and usually a cup of tea or an apple in my hand. I like being curled around the book when I read. Just a little quirk of mine.

When it comes to a spiritual (if you can call it that) place, I do this thing where I'll sit with my back hunched over and my hands pressed together and I'll stare at something for a long time, like I'm Sherlock Holmes or something. My family knows better than to interrupt me when I'm in my "mind palace" :). I like being all straightened out when I'm in my palace.

I read in my bed most of the time, if not there, then on the couch or by the fireplace:)

I read anywhere- at home, in the passenger seat of a car, in class(haha)...My favourite place, though, is probably my bed. On cold, rainy days, that is.
On days with nice weather, I like to either go read in the park or on my balcony(I live in a unit).
Fresh air is relaxing. =)

My favourite place is the bed or outside under a tree when it is nice and sunny.

I love reading in the car, especially on long drives or at the beach whenever we go.

In my bed I guess ... (sorry so boring x3) but I don't often get to read in bed - if I'm reading, I try and read outside, so that I get some fresh air xD.

I am the kind of person who hates reading 1. with lots of noise, as it does not help me to concentrate and 2. on the move, as i prefer to sit quietly.

In the silence i can loose myself within the pages and escape reality.

I am usually so lost within the storyline that if interupted i tend to be in a daze, not really focusing on life around me as my mind is still elsewhere; plucked from my body as it remains in the book. The best way i can describe this feeling is like in 'The Neverending Story' where dreams come to life and you become a part of the story.

I prefer to read lying down on my bed. I can't read in a car. It makes me nauseous, literally. On the other hand, I have no problem reading on a plane or a train.

My grandmother gave us one of her special armchairs and I do half on my reading there and the other half anywhere else :)

i think a better question is, where don't i read? i used to get carsick but i actually acclimated to it by all the reading i do on the bus, so now i can sit in the backwards- sideways-facing seats and read on happily while my seatmates look on in horror.

my two favorite places are probably coffee shops and my bed. my bed is right next to my window, so when i open it up i get a nice breeze and it's like having my very own window seat.

The fantastic thing about public places is unless a person is truly willing to disturb a person sitting behind a chair at a library or sidled behind a shelf and a wall with their book in possession, even if you are not hidden in your reading spot. You are alone. This brings me much pleasure, just knowing that.

On the opposing view, family is not quite so considerate. A remedy I have discovered for this has been the sole room within my place of residence that has a effective lock seems to be the restroom. And in that room, I have found the bathtub to be an effective escape and can be made to be quite comfortable if setup correctly.

Ahh, yes, I love reading in the bath.

Ha, you too? Nice.

Glad to know I am not alone as a tub reader.

Never! :)

Of course you're not!

I suppose I knew that, but it does not hurt to gain reassurance. Thanks.

You're welcome

I personally like my bed, though I gain no privacy given that my door doesn't have a lock and my parents can be obtrusive. I hope that at some point I will get a large fluffy chair in a corner, adjacent to bookshelves and with a reading light, perhaps by a window. I would curl up there when I needed a getaway spot.. Ah.. imagining :) For now I'll stick with my bed.

I actually like reading in the bathroom. Ok, I know, it's gross. but my bathroom smells great, it's privite and , call me crazy but i just love reading in there! and there is also a stool that i sit on...not the toilet

Have no shame! If I'm desperate for privacy, I'll do that as well (only room in the house with a lock >.

I highly regard my privacy and quiet time alone. Alone, to sit and read for hours.

My bed, out on the beach, and in this big armchair we have in the living room.

Bed, and couch. Although I have been known to sit in a tree. XD It's fun. :D

Lucinda wrote: "I highly regard my privacy and quiet time alone. Alone, to sit and read for hours."

Yes! Definitely!

νєяαℓι∂αιиє wrote: "Bed, and couch. Although I have been known to sit in a tree. XD It's fun. :D"

I would sit in a tree if my trees were available to climb! Gum trees have very little branches.

There's this huge tree on my grandparents' farm that's perfect for climbing. There's even this tiny little walkway you can go through, then I like to balance between a couple branches and read.

Ooh! That sounds like some kind of fairytale tree :) When I was in primary school, there was an awesome climbing tree and I would read all break instead of play with friends :P

WordlesslyAmazed03 wrote: "There's this huge tree on my grandparents' farm that's perfect for climbing. There's even this tiny little walkway you can go through, then I like to balance between a couple branches and read."

Now that is awesome!

On the farm I used to live on, there was a HUGE camphorlaurel tree, now that is a wonderful tree! (At least, I hope that's how you spell camphorlaurel...)

Where I live now though, there aren't really any suitable trees... Not unless you want to walk a long way...

My whole backyard is basically a small forest now. The only climbable tree is this gigantic pine, so not very comfortable.

No, I wouldn't imagine it being comfortable. XD A small forest would be really fun though! All those small shady places to sit and be alone in. And all the animals and birds that must be there!

Oh, yeah. You wouldn't believe how many animals. Bear in mind, we live smack dab in the middle of the city.

In the middle of the city??? Oh. XD Oh well, still cool though. :D

I love reading on the beach :)

I love to read on my bed in my room ~ my personal sanctuary! :)

I have a chaise lounge in a "corner" of my room (where my closet comes out and creates a small corner). It's in front of the window, so I get natural light during the day and have a tall floor lamp for night-time. On the wall to my left, the side of the closet, I have a long black curtain and it gives it a feel of being in a kind of reading "nook" that makes it so comfortable. That's my favorite spot :-)
The perfect spot would be a little recess in the wall where I could curl up with my book and some coffee or cocoa. I have to create my own little recesses for now, though, haha.

Kristin wrote: "I have a chaise lounge in a "corner" of my room (where my closet comes out and creates a small corner). It's in front of the window, so I get natural light during the day and have a tall floor lamp..."

That sounds lovely!!

I love in old property's (such as Victorian/ Gorgian style) window seats ~ perhaps one day i'll have a house with a windowseat to sit on and read :)

My favourite spot I've read in was an old grove, that used to be beside my school. Our English teacher used to take our class out there every week to read poetry beneath the leafy canopy. It was so, so beautiful, and utterly peaceful.

The place I read most is in my bed. No one really bothers me when I'm there and I'm always comfy. I read on my hammock and porch swing as well. But really anywhere I can curl up be alone and escape into a new world. Somewhere I can clear my mind and not have to think about anything else.

Well, I started college this year so I had to leave my favorite spots at home behind. But I do read quite often in my bed and in the library.

H99 wrote: "As long as you're reading, it's still a good spot, right?"

Exactly:)

H99 wrote: "As long as you're reading, it's still a good spot, right?"

Amen sista.

I have this really bad habit of reading on the couch. It doesn't sound bad does it? Oh but it is because I can't seem to sit normally like a normal person. I have this thing where I'll be hanging off the edge of the couch so that I'm nearly hanging upside down, but not quite and I'll read like that... :/

Thank gosh. I thought I was the only one.

I love reading at the beach. I tried this on my trip to the Gold Coast - and the combination of the salty sea breeze, the sounds of the waves in the background...it was perfect :)

So do I! Whenever I go out of town and am able to go to the beach I love to sit and read.

I like reading in bed

Lovely topic!
Once I've strolled around in my backyard for a while I like to flop down in my so-called "Catherine Morland Nook" which is positioned in a small patch of ivy in an inlet around my yard. Below mulberry and apple trees, sun filters in...the ivy is cool and the mulberries ripe for the picking. Ah, it's divine.

Either that or in a wing-back chair.

More than anywhere else, I like to read in a moving vehicle. When I was in public school, I had a very long bus ride. I was shy, so didn't talk much. I found a quiet place in books, and would pull one out of my backpack as soon as I boarded. I still carry one with me whenever I need to get somewhere.

I love to read in my bed or on my sofa. I cannot read in moving vehicles or anywhere else really as I get migraines reading outside, in the sun and I get travel sick easily.