My Top 5 Reading Spots

"What better occupation, really, than to spend the evening at the fireside with a book, with the wind beating on the windows and the lamp burning bright."

-Guastave Flaubert

I'm the kind of person that can read almost anywhere. In the quiet of my own apartment, on a busy street, in a crowded room, even in the darkness of my bedroom after the sun has faded (probably why my eyesight is so horrible, should have listened when my Mom said "you'll strain your eyes that way!!"). When you're entranced in a good story it doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing you find time to devour small paragraphs any chance you can. 

Even though I can read anywhere, sometimes there is just that perfect spot. For me, if I've read an amazing book, I can remember the exact place and time of day it was when I read that certain chapter or finished that long series. 

• Ie. I was in the backseat of my parents car on the way home from Wal-Mart when I first opened Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows the day it came out. And I was on my bed in my old room at 5am on a Thursday night in the summer when I finished it. 

Where you spend hours losing yourself in a good book matters.

1. In the Park
   This summer my go-to spot has been outside. In Saskatchewan, summer is such a short season and we so rarely get many beautiful warm days that I take advantage of them as much as I can. I live only a couple of blocks from the park and I love spending my Sundays on a blanket with sunflower seeds and a good book under the shade. People-watching in between pages is the perfect eye break.
2. Coffee Shop
   Usually I don't really like sitting in coffee shops or restaurants alone but I've recently grown out of that.... The reason? I have a coffee shop on the first floor of my building and quite often I'm too lazy to make my own brew. Sitting on a couch in the early morning before it gets busy, sipping on a perfectly brewed coffee before work is the best way to start the day.
3. The Library
   Sometimes it's nice to be around a more quiet crowd especially when I'm reading a long epic that takes some measure of concentration. Luckily enough, I live only a few blocks from a gorgeous library as well. On slow weekends it's nice to just hit up the library, browse what's available (save my wallet a little work), and be among like-minded people. 
4. The Bath
   Tub-time is the best time. My favourite way to de-stress is a hot bath, some mellow tunes, and a great book. The only problem I have is having to keep my hands dry enough or getting too lost in a chapter that the water gets cold before I'm ready to be done. 
5. Home
   What better place than home? Now that I live in my own place with no roommates to speak of I can have as many reading spots as I want! I have windowsills big enough to be used as reading benches and an office soley based towards this blog and my book collection. But my favourite place in my own space is the couch. I live downtown so I can people watch out my windows while I read, I have the perfect height lamp right behind me and it's the coziest corner of my sectional. Nothing beats that spot.

My fav spots change throughout the year and even sometimes depending on the book. Long complicated books are more suited to libraries and bookstores, light reads are easy for car rides and coffee shops, epic adventures and thrillers sometimes just need the comfort of home (so I don't embarass myself in public with my reactions). What are some of your fav spots?