Horror Aficionados discussion

Here is my first attempt to create a conservation ! My personal belief is horror novels are all about atmosphere, i always find the best place to read one is midnight when you alone and when its rainy. The sound the raindrops make on the window creates a nice backdrop to any scary book. So fellow readers what is your favourite place to read and when ?

When I have insomnia I like to get a pillow and blanket and go read on the couch. It's even better in winter when there are still embers burning in the fireplace. Seems like the book is scarier when I'm alone in that part of the house and the wind is shaking the front door, but I still feel safe and toasty under my blanket.

On week days, most of my reading is done during my lunch breaks in the library of the College where I work. Being surrounded by shelves of books when reading produces a comforting feeling. The environment is all too often ruined though by noisy students who frequent the library to do anything but study!

At home, I do most of my reading on weekends when I like to get up very early while the house and the world outside is quiet and serene. Such serenity doesn't last for long enough unfortunately!

Yes, that's why I read on the couch late at night when the boys are asleep, in the bed when they're in the other part of the house, or sneak to the couch early morning before they are up. Very peaceful and quiet. I can't read in public very well.

Ahhh that does sound nice, winter is always a cozy time to read. I like to read tucked up in bed or on my recliner. Summer time is best with recliner with a big glass of pepsi next to you and a laymon book set in the desert, summer is best time to read american horror novels for me !

I read whenever, and wherever, I can. But I can usually be found reading in bed, or on it, next to my cat. I like to read alone. I hate noise of any kind.

I'm always reading, but I like reading at night, with my dog in my lap and a storm rolling in.

When I was growing up, I would always curl with my dog, Lily, on her pillow in the sun room or outside on a blanket in the grass, where I'd read aloud to her. When we read never mattered, but anywhere with my dog will always be my favorite.

I also love reading at night, and I love rain and storms!

I will, however, read anywhere and anytime. Background noise doesn't bother me. I stop noticing it because I completely engross myself in whatever world the author of the moment created.

When i was in university I used to read on the train, i can read in any environment. But agree best time is during late night or early morning. When you have busy life, you appreciate them moments so much.

I wake up before anyone else in my house. I seize that time and read then. It's silent and there's just me and the words. Bliss.

I can read anywhere, and can usually block out what is going on around me, but my favorite place to read is in bed. Anytime.

I work the night shift. Around 3am on my nights off, I like to go in to my study (the basement), turn off all the lights, set my computer screen to a white desktop, turn up the brightness and read by the light of my computer. The creaks and groans my 60-year-old house makes adds to the atmosphere along with the fact that I can't see in the nooks and crannies. Every now and then I get so comfortable reading that I drop my book (I don't eread) and have to reach into the darkness to find it.

Sometimes i sneak quick reads at the shop i work, everytime the book starts getting interesting a customer walks in :-D

wow squire that must really set the mood for horror novels !

It does, but I find it works best with short story anthologies.

I once tried reading on my phone with no other lights on, and not being able to see anything but pitch black around me unnerved me too much. Who knows what was creeping up on me!

I tried using a reading lamp once when i was a teen and use to share my room with my brother. The shadows created made me keep thinking someone was standing near the stairs. we kept our bedroom door open. Never tempted that again.

I like to read while driving during rush hour. A little risk makes for an intense read.

Thats some risky daredevil reading :-O

Makes me want to stay out Mount Pleasant, SC!

;-)

Where's your sense of adventure!? :p

Folded up nice and neat in my sock drawer. It's there when I need it. These days my philosophy is:

"Spontaneity is good thing. When well-planned out."

Tressa wrote: "I once tried reading on my phone with no other lights on, and not being able to see anything but pitch black around me unnerved me too much. Who knows what was creeping up on me!"

That's an interesting idea. I might try that! On a scary short story, just in case.

never know traci may end up being your favourite way of reading ! I wonder if the new kindles with in built reading lights has same effects when in dark. Not got one, just have normal kindle. just wondering....

When I was growing up, I used to read in bed by the streetlight across the street from my window.

Now, I sometimes read by nightlight.

I have a nook tablet. Might have to dim the light some for maximum spookiness. My cat will probably think I'm nuts, but he usually thinks everyone is.

Was it creepy reading a horror by street light Jon ? You have to let me know how that goes Traci, sounds like great fun. Got a small.reading light which could create the same spooky shadows and atmosphere :-O

Yes, it was.

Especially when the trees were moving in the wind.

I have very fond memories of, as a boy, reading, "Notebook Found in a Deserted House" by Robert Bloch late one stormy Friday evening in the old house that I grew up in. Wonderful.

ahhh horrorshow i have similar memories of reading books in my bedroom when young at my parents on rainy and windy hoildays.

I never minded getting grounded when I was growing up. I always had plenty of books I hadn't read in my room. Sometimes, it caused me to act up on purpose so I would get grounded!

:-)

did you parents ever catch on squire ?

Oh yes! But they let me get away with it, because out of all 9 of their children, I was the only one who liked to read.

wow you had big family squire ! I only have one brother, we both love to read. we often use to read sametime in our rooms or at our grandparents house.

Well, the rest of the kids turned out to be athletes and singers. Me, I'm clumsy and tone deaf. So reading and other intellectual pursuits were kinda a given.

When I got grounded, my mom took my books away.

I had books hidden everywhere after that.

I like that spirit jon, what type of places did you hide your books ?

Drawers, couches, under the mattress, under the bed, in my pillow case, wherever I could fit a book.

In the summer my favorite place to read is on the bench swing in the backyard. Very peaceful and relaxing when it is still warm out and quiet with just the noise of wind gently blowing thru the trees. Dusk when the light is getting low is the best time.

In the winter, I plant myself in the family room on the couch in front of the fireplace. The kids won't bother me in there...there is no tv! Occasionally, my wife and girls will come and join me and we will all just sit there and read for hours! Quality family time!

Jon Recluse wrote: "Drawers, couches, under the mattress, under the bed, in my pillow case, wherever I could fit a book."

I used to do that with vodka! haha

Much better idea with books!!

wow Bill that sounds so lovely. I have read in the garden but very rarely. Maybe its something i should try more !

I normally read in bed at night curled up with my comforter. I have a book light or I read with just my nook. It does make the rest of the room seem super dark. I don't have lamps any more to read by in the bedroom. I need to get a new lamp. I also like to read at the beach but it has to be late evening or winter. And I need an umbrella (I burn easily). I love hearing the ocean while reading.

Jennbunny that really does sound grand. The sound of the surf would be a relaxing backdrop to any book. I live near a rail track and on my days off when i am chilling with my book the train passing by does create a smoothing background noise.

I seem to only really enjoy reading at home. I need quiet to read or a nice ambient noise like rain. Don't know how anyone reads in public places, parks, etc. There is just so much distraction. I dream of having a nice puffy recliner to read in.

Recliners are great Bandit. i have one i love reading in it. I think they are a worthy investment for any reader.

oh, I'm sure, I just don't have the space...it's something to look forward to...

I hope you get your future wish for one Bandit. Great thing about books, they can be read anywhere round the home.

I love to read by the ocean. Sometimes it relaxes me too much and then I fall asleep.

We had a big storm here at the end of 2011 and we had no power for a week. I read by candlelight that week and it provided some awesome atmosphere. I read The Yellow Wallpaper by candlelight and it really freaked me out. :)

Thanks, Mehmet :)

wow i have to say out of all the replys i recieved the Bed seems be most liked place to read followed by sofa and by the beach. The most crazy place with one.vote was car during rush hour :-) i would love to have a home by the sea and be able to hear ocean from my house. But that is my dream.....