As we head into the weekend with our Friday reads (have you shared yours on Twitter yet?), I’m already daydreaming about how many books I’ll get to complete and where I’ll be reading them. In my home, it’s just on the couch next to a big window or propped up in bed, but one of my favorite reading spots ever was in this beach bed in Mexico near Playa del Carmen. I was at an all-inclusive resort and the package included sports, canoe and bike rentals, blah blah, and yes, I took advantage of some of those things, but mostly I just hunkered down in one of these beds and sipped virgin margaritas or ice cold lemonade. Servers came out to the beds to take food and drink orders—it was as if they wanted us to never leave.
The beds were popular so I had to rise at rude hours to claim one. And I never get up early on vacation (or ever). One time, I almost had to engage in hand-to-hand combat with another guest who wanted the last one available. Luckily, I was reading Lee Child’s Bad Luck and Trouble at the time so I just intimidated the other guy with some Reacher ‘tude and he skedaddled like a sand crab. He might have even checked out of the resort and hurriedly left the country but I can’t verify that.
Anyway, where are some of your favorite reading places? I hope it’s heavenly there. Happy weekend!
8 Comments
Eric Edwards
July 15, 2011 at 7:30 amI’ve always felt the places where I like to read the best are in my own home sitting on my own couch or in bed.
While there is something wonderfully lazy about relaxing on the beach with a good book, I would rather enjoy the water or the sunset/sunrise than read.
Christine
July 15, 2011 at 8:21 amNice! I’m going to have to check out Playa de Carmen for vacation destination. When weather permits, and biting buzzing bugs are scarce, we sit out on the back patio in our Adirondack-style chairs to read. (In our recent house-hunting trips, if it’s got a screened-in porch, I want to check it out!) Otherwise, I’m snuggled into a corner of the couch with a black cat or two and Brian’s in his recliner. Except for soccer or music (just instrumental, no lyrics), the TV has to be off for me to read.
Jann
July 15, 2011 at 8:57 amEasy! At home I trade between my balcony and my bed. Balcony only suffers when too many of my neighbors stop to talk (I love to chat, but not when I’m at a good part); bed is great with all the pillows propped up behind me – until the cat decides he deserves more attention than the book does. On vacation, I take over my favorite bit of shore at the lake, plop my amazingly comfy chair next my kayak (to prop my feet), and dive into my stack of books. The year I had a staycation (when gas was so hi a few years ago), I read 12 books in one week on the balcony. Bliss, shear bliss!
Naomi Johnson
July 15, 2011 at 9:23 amThose beds on the beach look fabulous. I’d never want to leave one.
I used to have a lounger that was perfect for reading in the shade of the big old lilac out back, but outdoor furniture seems to be intended for obsolescence. Mostly I read in bed, but I take my ereader along on doctor appointments and places where I can sneak in 5-10 minutes of reading at a time, and try to catch up on short stories during those times.
jenn aka the picky girl
July 15, 2011 at 9:53 pmOh my gosh that looks like heaven. One of my favorite vacation reading spots was a hammock by the creek in Woodstock, New York. It’s so beautiful there, and it was perfect weather. Where I live in Texas you can’t stay out too long what with the heat and mosquitoes.
At home, my favorite reading spot is the bed in my front room/office. It’s always clean in here. The room is ivory, white, and silver, and I get such great light, especially when it’s raining or overcast. Perfect.
Shell Sherree
July 16, 2011 at 2:18 amI’m not great at rising early either, PCN, but I’d follow your lead to secure one of these. Next time I holiday someplace exotic with the likelihood of this on offer, I’ll be sure to ask you for some of your Reacheresque tips. Happy reading.
Poncho
July 16, 2011 at 11:16 amOoohhh… favorite reading places? Wherever I can manage to see the words clearly. But seriously:
At home: Couch or bed.
At a public park: lying in the grass.
On a bus or the subway.
Rachel
July 17, 2011 at 12:22 pmIn my house I say on the couch but, inevitably, I end up reading for hours sitting at my uncomfortable dining room chair whilst drinking a pot of tea. I’m thinking I need a new dining room chair. 🙂
I agree with Poncho that it’s pretty much wherever I can see the words but if I’m not at home my favorite locale is on a towel, snuggled into the sand, on the beach.