Back to School Books and Reading Nooks
For those of us under a certain age who call the Northern Hemisphere home, September can be a bittersweet month. As summer slowly transitions into fall, September marks the end of the glorious Summer Vacation and the beginning of a new school year. Along with various other back to school requisites, a new school year invariably gives way to a new list of things you have to read.
After all, is there anything as synonymous with school as reading? The two may not be as inseparable as Damon and Pythias, but they are pretty close.
Reading isn't always easy. If it was, they would never turn the book into a movie. This is especially true when it is something you have to do. It takes a great deal of concentration. Concentration that can easily be broken if you are too busy thinking about how uncomfortable you are. That is why one of the best ways to facilitate the reading process is to create a space in your home designated for reading. You can call this space a reading nook, a book corner or a literary cubbyhole. What you call it isn't really that important so long as you have a designated place to read.
The thought process behind a reading nook is quite simple and is rooted in fundamental appliance theory. The appliances used most in a kitchen are the ones that are left on the counter. If you have to reach into a cabinet and set something up, you are a lot less likely to use it. If you have a predetermined place to do your reading at home, then it should follow that you would be more likely to read.
Creating a reading nook is fairly straightforward process. First and foremost you should try to find a spot that is relatively quite. One that is secluded from everyday noises and distractions. The quieter it is, the more likely you are to use it regularly. The further away it is from potential distractions like televisions and computers, the less likely you are to succumb to the electronic siren song.
Reading can be a transportative experience, but nothing puts the brakes on literary immersion quite like a sore neck. In the kingdom of the reading nook, comfort is king. Whether you like to read sitting up or lying down, your reading nook should reflect and be tailored to your personal preferences. Anything from a simple floor cushion to an oversized chair and ottoman will suffice, as long as you find it comfortable. Make sure that your seat of choice can adjust in order to accommodate temperature changes as well as variations in light source. Having extra pillows and blankets handy can go a long way in terms of fine-tuning the comfort level.
A reading nook should be in a space that is exposed to plenty of natural light, like next to a window. This will not only facilitate daytime reading, but it will give you something relaxing to look at while resting your eyes between chapters. Because the sun does eventually go down, a reading nook should also be next to some time of artificial light source like a table lamp or wall sconce. No matter what time of day you will never have an excuse not read.
A reading nook doesn't have to pretty or expensive; it just has to be your own. As long as it is quiet and comfortable with plenty of light, you will find yourself coming back to it time and time again. Do you have a great book nook? Tell us about it in the comments or post photos of it on our Facebook Page!
