A quiet place to read

[Lonely Soul]

Hi, I love to read but find it hard to find a quiet place to read in my noisy life. I was woundering where other people went to read. Any suggestions would be much apriciated.

[Logos]

Hello Lonely Soul, welcome to the Lit Network!

Right now they are doing repair work on some of the pavement behind my house, and my industrial grade (http://www.tiltonequipment.com/Total_Catalog_Pages/Tilton_Total_Tecomec_Chain_Saw_General_page.html) hearing protectors come in handy. Seriously. They work great and I can get stuff done without the annoyance of external noise.

[Lonely Soul]

Wow - never even thought of that. Thanks.

[Nightshade]

Humm when we were moving I was half way through a book so I locked myself in the utilitie cupboard in the new house until I had finished ... escaped all the hard work :D

Ive read under the bed.. In cupboards ...
Oh bathrooms are another good place provided theres more than one in your house and you have a beach chair....
Garage (beach chair)
shed ( beach chair)
Get up at 4 in the morning....
:D
hello
:wave:
Humm maybe Ill get my sister to but me the earplug thing for my b-day sounds like a good idea!

[Logos]

Good suggestions Nightshade if you're trying to really get away from people huh? :lol:

I found that most insertable earplugs really aren't sufficient to block out _all_ noise, the over-the-ear style are much more effective. You can usually buy them at a hardware/home improvement type store and not too expensive either.

Of course they don't look that great but I usually don't let people see me wearing them, my little secret, but people would probably think they're headphones and you're listening to music. :)

[Nightshade]

I ment what you suggested just forgot what they were called :blush:
:D
I wante dto try our loft but cant get in ther unfortunatly...
yeah escape people is good :)

[mono]

I merely read where ever sounds, at least, relatively quiet. Being a frequent rider of public transit, I end up doing a lot of reading on the bus and train, unless noisy passengers surround me, or if it seems a fairly dense read (like philosophy or some poetry).
Most often, I settle down in my favorite chair of my favorite coffeehouse or teahouse (both that I frequent tend to remain peaceful), or, if the weather seems nice, I will visit a very large park near where I live with an extensive rose garden.
Other times, such as when at school, I harbor myself in the library, of course. :)

[Koa]

I also often read on the bus, unless it's too noisy to isolate myself... otherwise, I just read in my room...with door closed cos I'm easily distracted. I don't actually like libraries, they're so silent it seems unnatural and anyway just seeing people passing or moving around me distracts me so much (same reason why I can only study at home, also cos my Uni library is more of a social place than anything else ;))

[Fango]

I think a park would be the ideal place to read if you're looking for that pleasant tranquility. Personally I read before I sleep when it gets really quiet... and after a few pages I get sleepy... so it's a good deal.

[Zooey]

Like mono, I've found a terrific local coffeehouse where I do most of my reading, writing and homework. It has an upstairs that students like myself usually use for studying purposes, and so the occasional chatty individuals who occasionally make their way up there usually end up leaving rather quickly due to dirty looks coming from all directions. It's a nice system.

I've used a $1.62 cup of tea as an excuse to spend three, four, five hours at a time there.

[Koa]

the coffehouse thing seems so weird to me... when I was in Hungary I've actually seen people, mostly Canadians, going to places like that to study... For me it would be just an excuse not to work, after all if I find libraries distracting, I don't want to know what I'd feel in a place like that ehe... Maybe it's kind of cultural, I've never seen anyone reading in a bar around here, well unless it's a newspaper... But afterall people here are generally loud so it wouldnt be possible to be quiet for long I guess, as even some libraries are turned into chatty places... To me only the 4 walls of my room really work.

[wanderlust_ox]

reading on the city transit train to school is good. Everyone (mainly business and oil company workers downtown) reads, so it's really quite. I usually read in my room.

[Jack_Aubrey]

I mostly read in my bedroom, because it's the only space in my house that is really M-I-N-E. But I've been known to read anywhere else, any room,vehicle, any building. Coffeehouses are good, I'm really not that good at reading in a car, but I can do it for a short period of time. But to answer your question my room is my favorite place to read.

[kilted exile]

Now that the weather is nicer I go down and read at the harbour.

[Jay]

I like reading outside just the sun can't be shining too much as I would be squinting all the time, let alone when they insist on making books from white paper. I liked when I was still going riding, grab a book and sit/lay on the pasture and read, there usually wasn't many people around, sometimes Kate (who's a bit difficult to shush :p) but if she's got one of her novel-kinda books (as opposed to her picture books, as in about animals, mostly dogs, horses, rats, snakes, spiders... lots of pictures on shiny paper :p)

I used to read in the cemetery before they build new houses there. Not many people go to a cemetery anymore. There are these nice benches under tall old trees... oy

Otherwise if I'm feeling too lazy (or addicted :p) to leave the house I read anywhere with the exception of the living room where the TV is. Lately I'm reading quite a lot digital material, be it books, fanfics or study material, so it's usually wherever I can plug in my lappy.

Then I read on train quite a lot, both school stuff and books. I found out I prefer reading on the stairs if the train's full, not because of the noise but because of climatization and cigarette smoke, it all circulates in the climatization no matter if you're sitting in a non-smoker or smoker... parts, makes eyes go teary and stingy.

Am I not babbling :p
And I used only one kind of smiley, yey me :p

[Mark F.]

in the tub!

[Jack_Aubrey]

I've gotten books wet that way, I dare not try it again.

[Koa]

reading on the city transit train to school is good. Everyone (mainly business and oil company workers downtown) reads, so it's really quite.

That's cool, when I go abroad and on the public transport most people are reading... here it's so rare, I sometimes see women with magazines or students revising, but a book is not too common.

Oh the car! When I was younger I used to go with my parents on holiday in the south where we have relatives... that was 8-10 hours by car, depending on traffic and stops etc... Well I've been known to read whole books during a journey (which wasnt too good as once I had bought like 4-5 books to bring on holiday and I read a whole one in the journey so I had to re-read the same ones, steal my mum's books or buy new ones in another village which was a tourist place and therefore so civilised to have places where they sold books). The funniest thing though, was my mum: she can't read a single line in the car without feeling sick, so she was shocked at me reading so much :D

[Nightshade]

I use to do that when we go on holiday and the drive is 7 and a half hours long :(

[mono]

A few pictures of the place, Washington Park, I mentioned in my city, where I do much reading and writing, especially recently, due to the lovely weather (something rare in the very rainy city of Portland, Oregon). :)

http://www.thepostcard.com/walt/state/or/or310.gif
http://www.pova.org/german/images/pdx01.jpg
http://www.urbanphotos.net/images/pdx/sample14.jpg
http://www.schwarzaufweiss.de/portland/images/JapaneseGarden.jpg

[chispa]

any place where there are no people

[Bianca Fransen]

Wow, wonderful pictures, Mono.. The park in my town looks nothing like it :goof: .
I usually read in bed. But I can read anywhere anytime. If I am not too tired to read, noise does not bother me at all. I read in the train every day. I have even read while walking to school (a few years ago).. only the fact that one time I almost walked into a car stopped me from trying that experiment much longer. But I still regret that I cannot do that :( .
I read in front of the telly, in the park and sometimes in the library (but it is not very comfortable there - old chairs, the place looks a bit sad). I am sorry to say that in Holland I do not know of great coffeeshops where you can go and read a book. I sometimes do try it, but I am the only one.. and people will look at me funny..

[appledips]

i usually end up reading on my bed with some pillows propped up. is it just me or do other people get annoyed with having to hold up heavy books when reading? .. i hope to invest in a good comfy arm chair soon that i may use to just curl up with a book. :)

[Vampire Kari]

Well, I live by the woods so I like to go out there and read sometimes. But mostly I just read in my room, with my Interview with the Vampire soundtrack playing softly in the backround.

[scruffy_danny]

I love to read on window sills. There is something really peaceful about it, especially when you are overlooking a really nice place (like your garden). And the higher the window the better!

[baddad]

Lovely photos Mono......

Sometimes I will search out a location that is relatively more conducive to an appreciation of the specific literature I am reading at that time. Here is one example of what I mean: I read much of the 'Lord Of The Rings' while on holidays deep in the Rocky Mountains. The physical setting I chose for myself, rocky mountain peaks with wisps of mist condencing along their flanks (with intermittent misty rain and sparkling sun) enhanced the experience of the tale by the sheer proximity of a relative element of the story, in this case, mountains and their forested environs. Try reading Moby Dick while visiting near the seashore. Read 'The Studhorse Man' while journeying into Ranch country with its wide open vista of fields both fallow and ripe, or read 'Robinson Crusoe' while laying on an isolated beach, alone......

*wow......reread this post.......realized I've taken reading to a whole new level here...........I think I'll call it.......EXTREME SPORT READING...........yeah..........but the skydiving team must be composed of only speed-readers...........yeah, that'll work!!!!!............*

[baddad]

Lovely photos Mono......

Sometimes I will search out a location that is relatively more conducive to an appreciation of the specific literature I am reading at that time. Here is one example of what I mean: I read much of the 'Lord Of The Rings' while on holidays deep in the Rocky Mountains. The physical setting I chose for myself, rocky mountain peaks with wisps of mist condencing along their flanks (with intermittent misty rain and sparkling sun) enhanced the experience of the tale by the sheer proximity of a relative element of the story, in this case, mountains and their forested environs. Try reading Moby Dick while visiting near the seashore. Read 'The Studhorse Man' while journeying into Ranch country with its wide open vista of fields both fallow and ripe, or read 'Robinson Crusoe' while laying on an isolated beach, alone......

*wow......reread this post.......realized I've taken reading to a whole new level here...........I think I'll call it.......'EXTREME-SPORT-READING'...........yeah..........but what exciting tale will the skydiving team read??.......and yes, the skydiving team is gonna have to be composed of speed-readers...........*

[Koa]

I was thinking today that I can't read outdoors... whenever I force myself to try and go sunbathing, even reading becomes a torture under the sun...

[imthefoolonthehill]

Best place to find privacy or quiet: I do this for reading, writing, moping, picnic/dancing dates etc

Go scouting for a hilly or mountanous area closeby. I do this quite often... either by taking a new route home or just little detours here and there.

Wait till it gets dark and head off and find a house that's under construction.

Where I live there are whole subdivisions under construction nearby- out in the Boise foothills, and the roads have just been paved - perfect for a dance floor, or to spread a blanket out, and from many vantage points you can see the entire city. Perfect for reading out under the stars (except during the summer with mosquitos) or dancing or picnics... rooftop picnics are fun too.

[Koa]

Today I was at Uni and had a book with me cos I had not much to do there so I just thought I'd do what I'd do at home... and I sat on a bench in the Uni garden to read, not many people around as there are no lessons and exams are almost over, and it felt so quiet... Until a girl I know (and I dont really like) passed by and she sat down with me...so that she interrupted my reading! It didnt really matter much but what if I had been reaaaaaally involved in the reading, and in the middle of a chapter and not at the end... I dont like to be interrupted by reading, and moreover as I said she's not really someone I like to talk to...

[dejosc]

in the loo

[AimusSage]

When it is in my room: with headphones, and the door locked and phone unplugged.

In the public transport (mostly bus) I read with MP3 player on.

Those are the only places where I read.

[imthefoolonthehill]

Today I was at Uni and had a book with me cos I had not much to do there so I just thought I'd do what I'd do at home... and I sat on a bench in the Uni garden to read, not many people around as there are no lessons and exams are almost over, and it felt so quiet... Until a girl I know (and I dont really like) passed by and she sat down with me...so that she interrupted my reading! It didnt really matter much but what if I had been reaaaaaally involved in the reading, and in the middle of a chapter and not at the end... I dont like to be interrupted by reading, and moreover as I said she's not really someone I like to talk to...


mmmmm. College. mmmmmmmmmmmm.

one month to go, and i can sit on park benches.... and girls will sit next to me... and say hi and um... hey! why are you reading this?

Is it your habit to intrude upon my fantasies???

That's just rude...

and kind of creepy

well really creepy

and highly revolting

and well, shame for shame.

Come now, go away

I said, go away.

You just don't listen do you, you little punk?

Fine! Just be that way, i'm calling the cops you *%(*%@%! little stalker.

[shortysweetp]

lol that reminds of a Oscar the Grouch book my daughter has. the whole book Oscar is telling the reader to leave him alone and then at the end he is mad that he has noone to complain too

[mono]

Actually, fool's example directly outlines the reasons I do not read in one of the large main buildings of my college (the library seems so much nicer, anyway). I have tried and tried, as there stand very comfortable seats and couches, but inevitable crowds, loud people, formal speeches, and food court always creates the greatest distraction.
It seems a pleasant area, but not while I read. :p

[shortysweetp]

i dont read in public for that exact reason.

[Koa]

Today I was reading on the balcony so that I could easily keep an eye to my young cousin I was looking after... But there were a few kids in the garden and they were so loud that I was quite annoyed... I still think that the only public place where I manage to read is the bus, cos I somehow manage to isolate myself there.