More on Reading Habits

Do you have a favorite comfortable reading position? Like a particular way you sit, or a particular chair that you can sit on for a long period of time. Do you prefer lying down, or reading with a proper table, or do you just throw yourself on any chair and read? On my part, I have back problems that basically make me incapable of sitting still for long periods of time, especially if my back is left unsupported like if I read while leaning on elbows on the table or sit down on chairs without backrests (although if it’s sitting in front of the computer, I seem to have an iron back – I wonder why).

I like reading while lying down on my stomach, with my chest propped up on a pillow. It hurts the shoulder, neck, and upper back after a while, though, so I turn to my side and read like that. When THAT’s become a pain, I sit up. My last resort is lying down on my back, but that’s a little hard if you’re relying on ceiling light.

There’s rarely ever a bed available, though, and it doesn’t work for bigger books. I still lie down if there’s a long enough chair for it (they are harder to come by for me than one can imagine – I am very large), or try to have as lazy a position as possible without hurting my neck. Sprawled out is usually good. Lately, I’ve found that sitting down properly is actually pretty comfortable, although it reduces my attention span by about half and I never know how to position my arms. Pity I still haven’t managed to learn the basics of sitting down properly.

On another, related note: Do you eat while reading? I generally try not to – I’m Very protective of my books, and there’s nothing more I hate than damaged or dirtied books if they’re mine (except, probably, the sun and staircases). Smears make my heart stop and creases on the spine always, always give me mini-heart attacks. When you’ve found the perfect reading position, though, food seems like it would go so well with your book.

Last 5 posts by Yukitsu

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Netvouz
  • DZone
  • ThisNext
  • MisterWong
  • Wists
May 20, 2007 Written by: Yukitsu | Filed Under Books, Miscellany, Reading 

Comments

6 Responses to “More on Reading Habits”

  1. Mia on May 24th, 2007 6:40 pm

    My default position is sitting down, but leaning back on something (a pillow, a wall) to the extent that I’m actually half-reclining. If I’m reading on my bed, I usually pull my knees up so that I can rest my book on my thighs. It’s a very contorted position but oddly enough that’s what enables me to really concentrate. I don’t do well when my book is on a foreign surface, like a desk or a book stand.

  2. cindyg on May 26th, 2007 2:03 pm

    Generally, once a book is in my hand, I hardly notice what position I’m in. However, if I had to choose a default position, it would have to be curled up in this rattan rocking chair that’s been in the family since I was a toddler. ::grin::

  3. Vassilios on June 5th, 2007 12:57 pm

    Interesting…

  4. Kris on June 6th, 2007 8:49 pm

    Interesting…

  5. Grigorios on June 6th, 2007 10:03 pm

    Interesting…

  6. Kris on June 15th, 2007 1:18 am

    Sorry :(

Leave a Reply




Close
E-mail It
Socialized through Gregarious 42