Okay, so the other day, a friend was commenting on my monthly reading list and asked when I found the time to read. In the ensuing discussion, she described herself as a “goldilocks” when it comes to reading–she needs to have everything juuuuuust right to be able to focus. This caught my attention because, first, I thought that was a charming way of describing the condition, but, two, while we’ve talked about our reading habits, this is an interesting wrinkle. I’d never really thought about it that way.
So, this is my question to you–are you a Goldilocks kind of reader?
Do you need the light just right, the background noise just so loud but not too loud, the chair just right, the distractions at a minimum?
Or can you open a book at any time and dip right in, whether it’s for twenty seconds, while waiting for the kettle to boil, or indefinitely, like while waiting interminably at the hospital–as long as the book is open in front of your nose, you’re happy to read?
So, what's the opposite of goldilocks?
I read anywhere and everywhere! Mainly on the train, and in bed at night, but also in the car at traffic lights if the traffic is bad, whilst waiting for kids sport to finish, in the doctors surgery.....just about anywhere!
So where, or more precisely, when is the only time I don't read? The answer is at lunchtime when I am at work, because I know that if I get sucked into a really good book then I know that I either will completely lose track of the time and get back from lunch really late, or I will sit there thinking about the book when I am supposed to be doing other things!
I take a book with me everywhere. All the time long jaunts, short jaunts. I don't read while I cook or when I'm at work, or in the middle of a task even if I have breaks during the task because I won't go back to it once I start reading. I DO read on my lunch break, but infrequently because I'm not always alone so I can.
ReplyDeleteLunch breaks are ideal for reading, but you do have to keep an eye on the time, which isn't ideal.
ReplyDeleteHeh, it's true that my main problem with my ability to read anytime/anywhere is also my tendency to then not notice the thing I was waiting for. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI do better reading if I can read till someone calls my name or a sound goes off or something. If I have to keep looking at the clock, I'm done for. My BTT is up.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I read whenever I get a chance!! I'm with you though. I used to read a few chapter BEFORE I went to work in the mornings. BUT, I ended up making myself late one too many times because I just totatlly lost track of time!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, when am I'm not reading? That would be when I'm so focus on my TV shows *LOL*. Beside that, am always reading :)
ReplyDeleteHappy BTT Marg!
While I can read anywhere anytime, I tend to save my reading for evenings / weekends, else I'd just get too distracted! I normally read magazines or newspapers when on the train or when waiting - but I do read :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, and I could never read in the mornings - am not a morning person, so there's no way I can make time for a few chapters before going to work.
I can and do read anywhere at any time, and yep, even if for only 20 seconds!
ReplyDeleteAs a child I was known to carry my book with me everywhere - toilet even!
Now I do try to limit myself as others have mentioned - it makes you late for work, late back to work etc.