I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And that maybe, amidst all the turkey and pumpkin pie and people and busyness…you managed to sneak in a little reading. I know it can be hard to do during the holidays, but sometimes, it’s just plain necessary. A good book is the perfect way to unwind, regroup, recover, and relax.

Ready for this week’s reading question?

In what ways do you encourage others to read or support their reading habits? How do you share your love of reading with others?

I’m just going to break down my answer according to the different people in my life:

My kids: I make sure our house is well-stocked with books. There are always books around, available to read. And although as the kids get older, I put more responsibility on them to purchase the things they want, both of them know that mom has a hard time saying “no” to picking up a new book or two for them. I’m also usually up for a library run — basically, there is no lack of reading material for my kids. I also read aloud to L.(5) every day. And C.(13) and I are reading aloud together in the evenings these days, too. Reading together is something they never outgrow.

My husband: I am his official book-supplier. Chad loves to read, but he usually doesn’t have the patience or time to research new books, or to see whether his favorite authors have released something new. So I make sure his bookshelf always has some options for what to read next. I don’t always hit a homerun…but he’s usually pretty happy with the books I pick for him.

Other family members, and friends: I love to trade books, lend books, borrow books…basically, keep books moving. My mom and I share most of the books we read, I frequently lend books to others, and I’ve been known to send a box of books to a far-away friend.

The world at large : I hope that reviewing books and talking about books here on my blog helps to encourage others to read, and I think my twice-yearly reading challenges have done the same. I also like to occasionally donate books to a local shelter. And a few times, I’ve left a good book just sitting out in a public place (think mall or restaurant), hoping it “finds” just the right person.

Your turn — what do you do to share reading and books with those around you and/or far away?

It was so much fun to read about all your favorite reading spots. Whether it’s a favorite room, a favorite chair, or even in the bathtub(!) — it’s wonderful to have that special place that makes reading even more enjoyable!

Now for this week’s question.

What else do you do while you are reading? Eat? Drink? Household tasks? Or do you usually put aside absolutely everything to focus solely on the book at hand?

There are times when I’m reading and doing absolutely nothing else; it’s just me and my book. But if I’m honest, I have to say that I usually have something else going on at the same time. For starters, I’m frequently sipping coffee or water or some other beverage while holding a book. I occasionally have a bit of chocolate at hand (the smudges in many of my books attest to that fact!).

If a book is really good, I’ve been known to prop it open on the kitchen counter so I can read in little snatches of time while I’m making dinner. So stirring some sauce or grating parmesan while reading? I’ve done it.

I’ve been known to knit or crochet while reading, but only if the pattern doesn’t involve much counting.

Sadly, if I’m reading on some kind of electronic device, I’m often tempted to check my email periodically. Right in the middle of reading. I usually try to resist that urge, and I don’t like that I even have it, but that brings us back to my distractibility and the fact that I have email “issues” (i.e., I check it compulsively).

[I should probably also mention audiobooks here. One of the reasons I love audiobooks is because they allow me to "read" while I'm doing all those things that make traditional reading difficult or impossible -- cleaning bathroom floors, driving, enduring dental work, vacuuming, wrapping Christmas gifts, etc.]

I’m sure most of you sometimes read and do other things at the same time, but what would you say is most often the case? Do you usually devote yourself entirely to your reading, or is there often something else going on, too?