Location! Location! Location!

I know its been awhile, my apologies! but this entry was well worth the wait I promise you.

I’ve decided to write about location today. More specifically finding out what people think about locations for reading. Some people prefer to be comfy – curling up on a couch or bed and getting settled in for a few hours of reading. Others prefer sitting at kitchen tables/straight back chairs for their reading.

Personally, it depends what i’m reading. When I’m reading for pleasure I prefer comfy places where I can relax, grab a pillow and spend a few hours getting absorbed in a book undisturbed, doesn’t always happen but a girl can dream.

Here’s some suggestions, from my own personal favourite list…. let me know what YOU think, or you idea of favourite places to read.

Indoors

Bed: Nice and comfy, good for books like horror or murder mystery when its nice to have soft, cosy blankets. Somewhere you can feel safe when you’re so absorbed in the book you wouldn’t notice if your house was on fire.

Couch/Oversized Chair: Good for reading while waiting for something on tele (as I occasionally do). Its informal, and while its not good on the privacy thing (people distracting you by talking or doing housework) its not a bad place. I like being in lounge because its a lot sunnier than my bedroom as well, which means being able to see the words (somewhat important i’d say), and keeping warm.

Kitchen Table: Usually reserved for when i’m reading magazines, or something that I really need to concentrate on understanding. Ever come across a book (either written about something you’re studying or just hard to follow) that it takes enormous amounts of effort to keep reading word after word after word? Those are the kinds of books I prefer to read at the kitchen table, I’m focused and in a more serious frame of mind when i’m sitting upright like that so it helps me do what needs to be done. I’m a stickler about finishing books – If I start It, i’ve gotta finish it… no matter how badly written or boring the subject.

Outdoors:

Now we get into a separate category, while reading indoors is fine there are just times when the sun is shining, its warm and you just want to get outside and be near nature, while you enjoy a good book of course.

Under a tree: Shade is wonderful, especially if you don’t want to wear sunglasses. You get the warmth of the day, the smell of fresh air and a peaceful place to enjoy your book.

On a blanket at a park/in the gardens/ in your backyard: Another wonderful fun place to read in the summer (so long as its not too hot – no point baking your books, or yourself for that matter). Maybe pack a picnic or bring along a cushion or two and your set for hours, just don’t forget the sunscreen, hat and sunglasses! If you’re like me and get sucked into books easily and lose time – sunscreen is a big important thing to remember, we don’t want to get you sunburnt. Believe me its not fun trying to hold a book up when your shoulders are redder than a lobster!

At the Beach: Another all time favourite! What more could you want, sun surf, sand, books! its great location for those “summer reads” you know the ones i’m talking about, light happy fun quick reads (and there’s nothing wrong with that!). Don’t forget to dip your feet in the water (with your book safely on the shore in your bag) while you’re there though!

While I was living in Wisconsin, USA I realised how much I loved reading, to the point where during winter when we were housebound most days that's what I liked doing with my time. Some places are just like that though. During winter there we days (and especially nights) when you were advised against leave the house unless it was an emergency. Those days, you could find me and some of my house mates lounging around the house, book in hand. While it might sound anti-social, it was great because when we were done we’d get together and talk about what we were reading, sort of like a mini book club. Many good books were discovered through those book chats.

Thats it from me today, I’m off to read a bit more – i’ve got 2 books due back at the library in a few days and i’m determined to finish them!

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Pubishing

I’ve been doing a bit of thinking lately regarding book publishing and to an extent the whole writing process. The first thing i wanted to talk about is, once a book’s been published – what happens if people don’t get it, or just plain don’t like it.

You can’t unpublish something, you can’t go back in time and say to yourself “the publishers liked it, the elitest reviewers might have liked it but miss average reader out there hates it, so do yourself a favour and don’t punish the readers”.

Writing a book, is almost like sharing a part of your soul with the world, and to have people tear that to pieces would sting, even if just a tiny bit. You’ve got to be made of some sturdy stuff that's for darn sure. I absolutely admire people who have the courage and follow through to publish something they’ve spent a lot of time on, and share that with the world at the risk of well possibly breaking your heart if you don’t get the response you want.

At the same time though, It would be worth writing it and putting it out there, if it makes even 1 person’s day, or changes just one person’s life in a positive way – then that would make it worth it. Its like art, in that way – even if that 1 person it changes is you, then it was worth it - It was worth that risk because remember if we don’t risk, we don’t truly live.