Thursday, September 06, 2007

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.

10 comments:

  1. I didn't used to be, but I've become one. And no, I don't read as much. Not sure why this happened. Back pain is part of it.

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  2. Back pain would be enought to explain it. I'm sure I'll become more of a Goldilocks once my body starts complaining about what I'm putting it through.

    I already consider it a major concession that I can no longer hold my book a mere inch or two from my face. I swear my eyeballs hardened overnight the fall of '01.

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  3. I want to move into your house! LOL

    I read at the gas pump too while hubby's filling up. I can read while the car is in motion, but I usually don't unless we are going a decent distance. Sometimes when my husband is on the freeways though, I need to read or else I'd go insane. He's not the most cautious driver.

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  4. Choosing your furniture to fit your hobby. I like that.

    As a long time reader(well, for a year anyway) I can say your answer doesn't surprise me at all. =)

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  5. What a wonderful way to buy furniture!

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  6. I love that you found furniture to support your reading ... fabulous!

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  7. I can read anywhere, anytime, and almost anything! As a child, my summer reading spot was the top of a favorite tree.

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  8. I'm definitely NOT a Goldilocks reader. Cute term, tho. I read while hubby fills the car, too. Yesterday I got him to go into the post office to send a bookmooch book for me so I could stay in the car and read.

    When I get ready to furnish my new library will you come and help me pick out my new reading chairs? I am hoping that there will be enough room for a couch, but it's still questionable.

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  9. I find I do best if I have an uninterrupted time frame for reading and decent lighting. Past that point, I'm not that particular.

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  10. Considering the number of years we made do with less-than-adequate furniture, finally getting what was ideal kinda made reaching middle-age all right. ;)

    One of my favorite spots to read when I was growing up, Fay, was a huge chestnut tree in our back yard.

    You're in Utah, aren't you, Booklogged? Of course I'll come out there to furniture shop! But if you don't have room for a couch, I wouldn't worry about it. Getting an ottoman will more than make up for it.

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