Booking Through Thursday--Goldilocks

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?

The summer after R. graduated from high school we redid our living and dining room--painted, ripped up carpet and installed hardwoods, bought new furniture. I was fairly single-minded in my shopping: I wanted the most reading-friendly furniture I could find.

For end tables we bought "library tables" with open shelves for oversized books and oversized leather chairs and ottomans and a sofa ideal for any type of reading posture that one might care to assume. There's a handy cd player in the corner for the times when I need cello music in the background.

Perfection.

But I can and do read most anywhere in the house except in bed (maybe once that room's remodeled. . .) and in whatever waiting room I may find myself and at work and at the gas pump while my husband is filling the car (can't read in a moving car, though) and anywhere I might have a few minutes' worth of opportunity to take advantge of.

I suspect Goldilocks readers really don't read a great deal.