SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I am on a quest. A quest to find the best reading spot I can. I used to have a great reading spot. A comfortable recliner with plenty of cushions, next to a window looking out at a garden. Only a couple steps away from the fridge. But in preparation for my move overseas I've had to part with my furniture and now feel lost. I cannot find any spot as good so I wander from place to place around the house just trying to find the right location to sit and read.

So what makes the right reading location for you?

For me it firstly needs to be comfortable. My computer chair is an ok spot but it just isn't comfortable enough. Not enough padding, not big enough and with the bad habit of unexpectedly falling over when I lean the wrong way. I want a chair that you can sit in multiple positions and every one of them be good. But then there's the danger of too comfortable, eg. the bed. It lulls you in with promises of being big and soft with pillows and blankets but then before you know it it's morning and you're drooling on your Kindle...

The next most important thing, but often overlooked is lighting. One should never read in a dim light. The location needs to be well lit with options for both natural and artificial sources. I like a good window with a relaxing view and a good bright but not blinding adjustable lamp. One of the tall ones, not the little side table things. Right now I get the window but my view is of a semi-busy street with an overhead fluorescent tube.

Privacy is important. Nobody likes to be bothered a lot when they're deep into a good book. Ideally my spot would be in a spot where I can be reached by only if it requires a bit of effort meaning people would only interrupt me if it's actually important. Phone on silent, of course, though not off. How else would I access Wikipedia?.

The right spot needs to usable year round. In the depths of winter with snow piling outside or in the middle of summer during the worst heatwave the spot needs to work. I know it's a bit far-fetched but this is about the perfect reading spot after all.

And lastly sustenance and amenities. Never neglect the need to feed as well as the repercussions of the same. You don't want your nearest cool drink or tasty snack to be a long walk away, nor the pitstop. A bar fridge is a handy accessory to the comfy fridge.

I know I could read anywhere and I do, but that's a necessity not a choice. Too often a poor reading location can stop me truly engrossing myself in my book. And so my quest will continue. To find the ultimate reading spot.

So tell me what your ideal location would be. What is your current reading spot. Provide pictures and show us all. May we all find the spot we are looking for.

I'm already a fan of your computer chair - the visual of you unexpectedly falling over made me giggle. I've always been fond of inanimate objects that make me laugh.

I don't like reading by sunlight as I find it much too bright. I tend to stay away from reading by natural light as it isn't consistent enough for my tastes. Much as I like clouds, I don't enjoy how they can change the amount of light in a room. I use the glowlight on my nook or my bedroom light.

I read in bed since it is the most comfortable place in my flat and I like to shift between sitting up against pillows and lying down. It takes a considerable effort for me to fall asleep so I don't have the problem you've mentioned. My flat is 68 square meters so nothing is a long walk away. However I always feel bad moving if one of my cats is happily sleeping on my lap.

Give my thanks and regards to your computer chair :)

I read where I do everything else - in my recliner where I occasionally fall asleep with no danger of falling out! And I have the Nook tablet that has its own light. Sometimes I have to use my book light when I read regular books.

I have a lot of reading spots I like. I often read in bed, preferably with a cat curled up on top of me. In nice weather, I like to sit in my backyard or the backyard of a local bar (which is even nicer than mine) with a cold drink. I also like reading at a local cafe that serves the best lattes and chocolate-almond croissants, and they have a great ambiance and don't play their music too loudly.

In truth I probably get most of my reading done on the subway while commuting. It would be hard to call that my preferred reading spot though.

I like to read in my computer chair. It's ergonomic with just the right support for my damaged back.

Penny wrote: "I'm already a fan of your computer chair - the visual of you unexpectedly falling over made me giggle. I've always been fond of inanimate objects that make me laugh."

The chair is evil. It's a little broken and sitting on it is like balancing on a pole.

Kim wrote:The chair is evil. It's a little broken and sitting on it is like balancing on a pole.

That sounds incredibly comfortable.

At least if they ever make adventure sitting an international sport (so far my attempts to get this recognised by the world at large have gone unheeded) you'll have the advantage of years of practice!

LOL

my little townhouse has a bumped-out window on the ground floor (think a bay window, but rectangular) that makes the perfect reading nook. it's a north-facing window with a tree outside and tall holly bushes to either side, so it's soft, filtered light that's never *too* bright. there's just enough room for a generously-sized end table, so drinks/snacks are easily within reach either from the wide windowsill or the table. a couple of years ago, i found the perfect chaise longue: it has no arms/sides so i can loaf in whatever position i like, it's about a meter wide with a slightly waved shape so there's enough room for one of the dogs to curl up too, and it fits just so in that nook with the end table. Kim, it sounds a whole lot like your former perfect spot, so i can only imagine how obnoxious it would be to not have it anymore :(

That sounds lovely, Michelle!

Penny wrote: "That sounds incredibly comfortable."

It can be. Deceptively. It tricks into thinking it's safe to relax. And then tips you on to the floor.

Michelle that sounds really good. I miss my recliner but I'll find something new.

Ideally I'd like a well padded armchair with a side table to hold my teapot. Preferably sitting in my own private library.

In reality though, I tend to read on the couch, leaning against a mass of pillows against one of the armrests. I'm about to move too though, and I've no idea where I'll be reading in our new place. The couch is moving into the study, but it's possible I'll try to get a comfy armchair into the living room.

Michelle wrote: my little townhouse has a bumped-out window on the ground floor (think a bay window, but rectangular) that makes the perfect reading nook

I've wanted a spot like that all my life! One day when I'm all grown up (read: I've studied for as long as humanly possible) I'll find a cute little place with a big bay window. Until then I'll just be jealous of you :)

Kim wrote: It can be. Deceptively. It tricks into thinking it's safe to relax. And then tips you on to the floor.

Sounds a lot like Lucy and the football. Reassuring and convincing every time and even though you know better you can't help but buy into it again and the next thing you know you're on your ass on the floor.

I like this chair of yours more and more...

Penny wrote: "I like this chair of yours more and more..."

I'm no Charlie Brown and no conspiring with my chair. It needs no help. It's trying to do me in before it goes to the curb.

My favorite reading spot is the sofa too. It's very comfortable with an end table for beverages and snacks.

Kim wrote: I'm no Charlie Brown and no conspiring with my chair. It needs no help. It's trying to do me in before it goes to the curb."

You can't get rid of chair! What other piece of your furniture has ever inspired such a fun discussion? I'm fully behind team chair.

Conspiring with inanimate objects half a world away just comes naturally to me but I'll call off the carrier pigeons before they unveil my master plan to chair. Such a pity, it would have been my best yet.

Penny wrote: "You can't get rid of chair! What other piece of your furniture has ever inspired such a fun discussion? I'm fully behind team chair."

It has to go, I'm leaving which is why I've lost my reading chair. I'm putting an ocean between the devil chair and I.

It has to go, I'm leaving which is why I've lost my reading chair. I'm putting an ocean between the devil chair and I.

That gives me just the opportunity I need to rescue chair and give it a nice home. Although it would be far more amusing to rescue chair and sneak it into your new place when you're not home :) What city are you moving to?

Penny wrote: "That gives me just the opportunity I need to rescue chair and give it a nice home. Although it would be far more amusing to rescue chair and sneak it into your new place when you're not home :) What city are you moving to? "

You collect evil furniture? Demon desk? Satanic swivel chair? I wouldn't consider those very conducive for reading. Although it is October. Maybe we should have done horror books.

I shall be bidding adieu to Australia and moving to that strange and unusual place, the American South.

Kim wrote:You collect evil furniture? Demon desk? Satanic swivel chair? I wouldn't consider those very conducive for reading. Although it is October. Maybe we should have done horror books.

I love evil furniture, particularly when it isn't mine. I agree that chair doesn't seem very conducive to reading but it is good for a laugh and that would be my grounds for saving it. Also it would be fun to devise a scenario in which company would have to sit on chair. Preferably with a hot drink in hand.

Wow, I think your evil chair has infected my previously generous and thoughtful mind. You're right. It is evil.

Yes to horror books. Maybe you can add a short one near the end of the month?

I lived in Louisiana for a year and a half. There's nothing like Halloween in America! I don't know about Australia, but SA isn't so into my favourite holiday so I loved being in the US for that.

Good luck packing and stuff. Use small boxes for books, I had far too many boxes break before I remembered that books are heavy.

Sorry, got side-tracked by an evil chair.

Another great reading spot is the coffee shop over the road from where I live. They have these gorgeous big red couch chairs, the best freshly squeezed orange juice in Cape Town, good coffee and amazing sweet treats! I try not to go too often so as not to put on 10kgs but I do love it occasionally!

My favourite spot in Louisiana was Highlands Coffee. Great student vibe and amazing coffee!

I love to read in bed with all the covers fluffed up around me and plenty of pillows for back support. Sometimes...I'll read until 3 in the morning if I'm comfortable and absorbed in a book.

Penny wrote: "I read in bed since it is the most comfortable place in my flat and I like to shift between sitting up against pillows and lying down. It takes a considerable effort for me to fall asleep..."

You have trouble falling asleep because you read in bed. Your brain is confused as to why you're in bed; stay up and read or to sleep.

The geek uses his bed for only two things: sleeping or ... (my creator, the geek, is happily married), so my brain isn't confused and I have no problem sleeping. Also, the geek keeps regular hours which helps.

Read in a chair or on a couch if you absolutely MUST recline. Save your bed for sleeping.

Al wrote: You have trouble falling asleep because you read in bed. Your brain is confused as to why you're in bed; stay up and read or to sleep.

Oh Al, if only life were that simple. I have trouble falling asleep because I have fibromyalgia. It is an incurable chronic pain condition with a multitude of symptoms, one of which is trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. My back pain is such that the most comfortable place in the world is my bed. I've read extensively about the various life style changes that might alleviate my symptoms including ways to help me fall asleep easily and I tried it all. Unfortunately the only solution that works for me in terms of my sleep are the medications I take.

Much as I appreciate your attempt to help me improve my sleeping habits, perhaps you could try not making definitive statements without all the facts. Telling complete strangers how to behave is not the quickest way to make friends.

My favorite reading spot is swinging in my hammock in my back yard, leaves rustling and birds at the feeder.

BUT ... I live in Canada so that only works for 3-4 months of the year ;-)

Mark wrote: "My favorite reading spot is swinging in my hammock in my back yard, leaves rustling and birds at the feeder."

That sounds like a beautiful reading spot. Pity it's only available for part of the year, but that probably makes you appreciate it even more when you can use it. I'd adding this to my ever growing list of details for the perfect house, minus the cold Canadian weather of course :)

I most often read atop my bed, with my head against a huge stuffed animal that serves as my pillow! Or, when the weather is warm, at the beach of course. :]

However, I've never really had an "ideal" reading spot like some of you have described. I'd like to set that up for myself soon, actually...a little nook or corner specifically dedicated to reading.

Any spot where I can't hear the kids asking me questions.

Ha, that's a good one.

I've completed my move but still don't have a good reading spot. We have a nice outdoor set but the freezing cold eliminates that possibility. We also have a very comfortable bowl chair that would be a really good reading spot except for the fact that anyone who sits on it becomes a target for the cats. They seem to think it's theirs.

Lying on my stomach on the bed or sometimes sprawled on the gigantic swing in the living room and... uhh, whenever I'm on a long bathroom break. It's quite possibly the most tranquil place to read.

On my small but comfortable couch. I just lay back on the cushions, feet up on the back of the couch and often with the cat curled up next to me. Most of the books I read today are on my iPad or iPhone.
I also like reading on the balcony in one our relatively comfortable lounge chairs. Even if I have to bundle up a little in colder weather.