The area that you will occupy for your desired amount of time, reading to your heart’s content, can set the tone for your day. Personally, I love reading in bed with a bunch of pillows stacked around me. I feel cocooned, like nothing can bother me. You might love reading outside at a park on a blanket with the sun beaming down on you, or in a cozy corner of a library or local coffee shop. Whatever location you choose, as long as you’re comfortable and have minimal distractions, you’ll be set! Choose a location that best suits your needs.
Yes, the weather matters, people! Whether you prefer a sunny day out by the pool or a dark, stormy day, the weather can definitely impact your mood and possibly even your reading choices. You can base your current read on the weather, maybe choosing a fun beach read for outside by the pool, or a dark academia novel for those gloomy days. Me? I love rainy weather. There is just something about the feeling I get when I see gray clouds, feel the slightly humid weather, and hear the sound of rain pattering on a roof that brings me immense joy. These days are very rare in Arizona; however, when they appear, my first thought is always: “Today is a perfect day to read.”
The atmosphere that you are surrounded by is also important. Maybe you like ample background noise or complete silence. Maybe you want to be surrounded by like-minded people, also reading, or you want to people-watch while getting lost between the pages. A space where you can feel safe and content is ideally what you should be aiming for. For me, a little background noise is perfect—something that won’t be too distracting, like Lo-fi music or a podcast turned down low so I can’t comprehend the words. Other times, I like complete silence. It all depends on your preferences. Setting the vibes is also essential. You can light a candle, sit by a fireplace, pop in some earbuds, or put on your comfiest socks. Set your space up how you like it. I love reading with the windows open, allowing sunlight to beam through. This feels natural and peaceful for me. Take time for yourself and craft a space that feels authentic to you.
I find that I usually end up starving myself while I’m reading because I’m so invested that everything else becomes insignificant, including my rumbling stomach. However, food is still important, so feed yourself accordingly. Nothing messy, of course. We can’t have orange fingerprints ruining the perfect, crisp white paper of your current read, but you can have fun with this. Make snacks characters in your book might have themselves, or make a themed drink. There are endless opportunities to make your reading snack fun.
This might be the most important part. The book you chose can be based on the above factors, or whatever your mood calls for. I am definitely a mood reader, so however I’m feeling on that particular day will reflect in my reading choices. I am a big fan of romance novels, fantasy, and thrillers, so I always have plenty of options to choose from based on how I’m feeling. What you’re reading can also affect your mood, so if you’re cool with shedding a few tears out in public, please go for it. Or, if you don’t mind busting out laughing in the middle of the coffee shop, make sure you’re ready to answer for your outburst. Either way, choose books that you’re interested in, that will make you happy, and that allow you to escape reality for just a little while. It’s one of the reasons I love reading so much.
If you couldn’t tell from this blog, I seriously value my reading time and space, and you should too. Think about what makes your perfect reading day, and share it with us! Happy reading!
Bryanna Thompson, Pine Reads Review Writer