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?
The only thing I do consistently while reading is drink. I generally read in the evenings, so my drink of choice is usually wine or occasionally a beer or if I’m not in the mood for alcohol, I’ll have a glass of water. I don’t usually eat while reading. I guess I like to have my hands clean and free to turn the pages (or push the page-forward button on my Nook).
I will say that I often read in the same room where my husband is watching TV. So I suppose I do listen (to some extent) to the TV while I read. But I generally ignore it. Sometimes I’ll watch bits of a football or hockey game while reading. But I prefer to concentrate on my book, especially if it’s a good one!
Julie @ MyBookRetreat´s last post ..Non-Fiction Non-Memoir Reading Challenge
Because I tend to read in bed, I don’t typically do much else besides read and really, I am not great at trying to read and multi-task so typically if I try to do anything else, I have a hard time actually reading.
Jen E @ mommablogsalot´s last post ..FIR ’11 Question: What else do you do while you read?
I am either eating something or drinking something when reading but listening to audios is another story. My full answer can be found here.
Being single, I often read at meal times……and I frequently read at stop lights!
OMG i thought I was the only naughty one out there, I even get upset if I make all the green lights if the books really good. I have also been known to read in traffic usually a t peak hours when the cars aren’t really moving oh how naughty are we. xx
My answer is posted on my blog.
http://markcarstairs.blogspot.com/2011/11/fir-question-9.html
Great question! My answer is here if you’d like a look
My answer to the question: here.
Most typically drinking something, occasionally I will munch on something. I can’t pay attention to audiobooks. Being a visual learner I have to read or I won’t get it or will forget it in about 5 seconds.
I can guarantee that I will be sipping on a glass of iced tea. If the book is non-fiction, I will be underlining and taking notes. Fiction…I just read and sip! Maybe even slurp!
May your Thanksgiving be filled with the fragrance of our Lord Jesus.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
I always have something to drink and occasionally something to snack on. If there is a movie on TV I’ve been dying to watch (doesn’t happen often) then I will read during commercials. Like Katrina, if I’m reading on the computer then I have a tendency to check my email. Usually when I read that is what I am doing.
Usually just read with a drink on hand mostly. I carry a book or ereader with me so whenever there is lag time like at doctors office, etc. I can pull it out and read. No sense in wasting time! I even threw my ereader in the backpack when my husband and I went hiking in the smoky mountains in Oct. You never know when he might want to go on and I’am tired:). I did end up sitting against a tree for an hour and 1/2 while he went on up the mt. Got lots of reading done and what a beautiful spot to read in! Check it out…
Ah, most of the time I will read in bed at night, so nothing else is going on. But when I read during the day I do drink coffee, sometime in the evening I read with some wine. I also have been reading while eating when I am alone, or if I am reading a book I can’t put down
, When I read a book that really fascinates me I won’t do anything else for days (my poor husband won’t get fed and no cleaning will be done). My husband and son will know not to disturb me or I’ll get grumpy! If I wouldn’t be sitting here reading all these blog entrees I would be reading while doing my laundry from my trip…btw, there isn’t anything better then a book while you are sitting at an airport after you missed your plane ’cause you rather play with your niece and nephew and read them books then leave for the airport in time…LOL!
As little as is humanly possible! I have been known to “watch” tv; nurse children (back in the day); eat and drink; but mostly I just like to read!