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By Meghan Leigh
Recently, my friend Ashley commented about her family claiming their favorite blankets when it was time to settle in for a comfy reading session. I can only imagine that, in her household, some of those blankets are definitely handmade beauties. On Friday nights during college, Ash and I spent countless hours crocheting while watching Disney movies (what can I say, we were a wild pair!) Those blankets have served us well for years – becoming part of the fabric of our day-to-day lives – accompanying us through so many bookish moments in the interim. And it got me thinking: what are some other “must haves” that have become synonymous with my dedicated time with the tomes?
Warm Beverage
Beyond blankets, I’ve found that a hot beverage is key to feeling truly ready to read. It almost doesn’t matter if it’s 10 below on a blustery February weekend, or 80 degrees on an August afternoon. I want that beverage steamy. I happen to be a “coffee all day” gal but I’m just as happy with an herbal tea or occasional broth (see my “Cozy” blog post for my broth-y diatribe.) Much like Ashley and her kids seeking out the favorite blanket, the favorite mug definitely elevates my beverage experience. Lately, I’ve been gravitating toward a mug I affectionately refer to as “Moby Kit.” While the mug celebrates Herman Melville’s famous whale of a tale, the artist has substituted the great beast with a young orange tabby. Because, why be a boring ol’ cat lady, when you can be a literary one instead?!
Music
Music can sometimes make or break a reading session. Some folks find it helps to drown out the extraneous noise of the world, allowing for better concentration. Others find the music itself is a distraction. I’m of both camps. It can depend on both my mood and the specific music selection. For my money, classical music nearly always scratches the itch. Many movie soundtracks are rife with the perfect reading tunes (I recommend starting your journey with The Secret Garden from 1993.)
I’ve also used these opportunities to dig into my vinyl collection. If you’ve got a seldom-used record player at home, it’s high time you dust that off and incorporate it into your reading experience. The average record holds around 20 minutes of music per side, which is perfect for short reading stints. You needn’t worry about getting so lost in a book that you neglect other duties – the record becomes your timer. Much like musical chairs, when the tunes cease, you know it’s time to move on.
Reading Journal
And now, hot-button topic time: I’m ready to confess … I dog-ear pages. I’m one of the disrespectful folks who absolutely wreak havoc on a book. Don’t get me wrong, there are some volumes I consider holy and keep pristine (I’m looking at you, 1972 hardcover copy of Watership Down that was gifted to me by my Grandma!) But. that being said, most other books are fair game.
Which means bookmarks are not really on my list of necessities for a successful read. However, I do highly endorse a book journal. Whereas I’m ready to bend, fold, and crease the heck out of pages, I like to keep my personal notes out of the margins. Books are full of beautiful sentences, newly discovered words, and real-life inspiration. Having a simple notebook on hand to catalog these findings is a really great way to stay in the moment, while simultaneously collecting your reflections for future reference.
Do you have any book related accessories or accoutrements that elevate your reading experience? Let us know in the comments below if there’s something else we should be adding into the mix. Until next time, biddies, remember that reading is essential & so are you!
