Tuesday, April 16, 2013

TTT: Choose Your Own Adventure

It's that time of the week again and I'm excited about today's Top Ten Tuesday topic.  Our wonderful hostesses over at The Broke and the Bookish actually did not assign a subject for today's list—instead, we were supposed to choose a prompt that we either missed out on or wanted to revisit.  I scanned past TTT topics and decided it would be fun to talk about my Top Ten Favorite Places to Read.  It was actually tough to come up with that many, but I enjoyed the process (which might mean I'm a little hard up for entertainment ...).


1.  The beach—I'm not a big water person, so I spend most of my beach time on the shore.  Which suits me just fine.  There's nothing better than curling up in a beach chair and losing yourself in a good book.  The sounds of waves crashing, seagulls bleating, and children squealing with delight provides the perfect background music to any story line!  I've enjoyed oceanside reading on the beach in Jamaica, Hawaii, California, Oregon, The Philippines, Washington State and Mexico.  Had we stayed longer on Tybee Island, I probably would have done some reading there, too!


2.  The lake—Again, there's just nothing quite as peaceful as relaxing with a book in a beautiful setting.  We like to go houseboating at Lake Powell, a giant man-made reservoir that straddles the Utah/Arizona border.  My favorite thing to do there (besides zoom around on a jet ski) is lay around and read.  It's incredibly relaxing to stretch out on a deck chair with a good book and just enjoy the amazing scenery as well as the happy, laidback atmosphere.

3.  My couch—Although it's much less exciting, the place where I do most of my reading is on the brown sectional in my family room.  It's not the most attractive piece of furniture, but we bought it because all of its seats recline.  Plus, there's a convenient cup holder between the "Mommy and Daddy" seats, so I can keep a cup of ice water handy while I put my feet up and read.  It's not the beach, but it works.

4.  My bed—Way back when my husband and I were in our early 30s (okay, it was only a few years ago, but it feels like forever), we invested in a California King-sized adjustable bed.  We felt like senior citizens when we made the purchase, but oh my gosh, that was some of the best money we've ever spent!  The bed itself is super comfy (I can't sleep well anywhere else), plus you can adjust both ends of the mattress to achieve the perfect position for bedtime reading.  It's heaven.  Seriously.

5.  My bathtub—Here in the Phoenix area, it's blazing hot for most of the year, so I don't spend a lot of time soaking in the tub.  When I do, though, I always bring a book.  Nothing says relaxation quite like filling my tub with hot water and scented bubbles, switching on the fireplace that sits next to the tub and just luxuriating in the cozy warmth of it all.

6.  By the pool—Since desert summers are so intense (and last for a good 9 months), we spend a lot of time in our backyard pool.  When I'm not swimming, I like to sit on the deck in whatever sliver of shade I can find and read while I keep an eye on the kids.

7.  Airplanes/airports—Okay, these aren't my favorite places to read, but I've gotten a lot of reading done both while riding on airplanes or and waiting for them to arrive.  Because that much uninterrupted reading time can be difficult to find at home, I've been known to tell people, "You can drop me at the airport a couple hours early.  I don't mind."  Or, "Don't rush to pick me up.  I'll just sit and read."  Plus, if my book starts to drag a bit, the airport's a fabulous place for people watching.

8.  Waiting rooms—Again, if you gave me a choice of places to read, I'd never willingly choose a waiting room, BUT, I do a lot of reading in such places.  It makes long waits at the doctor's office much more bearable.  In fact, when I wrote an online review for my dentist recently, my one complaint was that they get me back too soon for me to get any reading done!

9.  My front porch—When the weather's nice here, my front porch is actually a perfect reading spot.  It's shady, quiet and really quite lovely.  I'm not sure why I don't spend more time there—I think I sort of forget it exists.  Crazy.

10.  The balcony—Ditto with the balcony.  Our house actually has two connected balconies, both of which offer fair views of the city and valley in which we live.  They're particularly nice spots from which to enjoy our beautiful desert sunsets.  Again, I think the weather is so fiery here most of the time that I forget to sit outside and enjoy the nice weather when it does come around.  Silly me.

So, there you have them, my favorite places to read.  Also, the places that aren't really favorites, just places where I spend lots of time reading.  And, a couple of spots where I should hole up with a book more often.  How about you?  Where are your favorite places to read?  

39 comments:

  1. Ah, I love the topic you choose for a rewind this week.. Not to mention all your locations. You've visited a fair few places judging by your beach point!
    I do most of my reading in bed and in the bath.. I do wish I had some nicer locations such as yours!

    My TTT: Bookish Pet Peeves

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  2. My favorite place is the library garden in downtown Cleveland on a warm day: http://zemeks.blogspot.com/2009/05/birdie-bombs-my-library-book-close-call.html

    The place where I get most of my reading done though is on the bus going to and from work.

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  3. That are some great spots you have chose. I do agree on the plane and waiting room choices at least reading there makes it bearable.

    Thanks for sharing :)

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  4. Wow, I love your views! Fantastic spots for reading! I agree about airports and waiting rooms -- I don't necessarily enjoy being there, but I can definitely get a lot of reading done while I wait! For me, I just love sitting on my back porch on the weekends with a good book, a cup of coffee, and -- with luck -- a bit of sunshine!

    Lisa

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  5. Great list. I love reading outside when it's nice out :)

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. This is a great list, you have some beautiful places to read! I also enjoy reading by all types of water - there is something so soothing about it to me! I also love reading in the park with the sun shining down in mild temperatures so that the sun warms you rather than roast you.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. Great list! My favorite spot is the tub. Oh, how I heart the tub! :D I agree with everything you've posted except the beach and lake. I'm too much of a fish in real life so I'm always in the water. But, I do love to read while I'm sailing on my in-law's boat, so it's kind of like the lake.

    My TTT Post

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  8. You have some GORGEOUS places to read. I NEED that bathtub.

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  9. Love reading in the bath. Sadly, I haven't had a bath in four years and it's tricky trying to read in the shower :(

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  10. Fun topic! I love reading in airplanes/airports and the balcony. Reading by the lake sounds really nice too! :) Thanks for stopping by my TTT list!

    Alice @ Alice in Readerland

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  11. Great list and fantastic pictures! I completely agree with you regarding the lake and the beach!

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  12. And now I want to go read in my hammock outside. The weather right now is just perfect for evening reading! (Jealous of your tub - it looks way more comfortable for reading than ours is :)

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  13. Wow, this is a great list. If I had a tub like that I would be reading in it all the time too! I like reading in bed as I have yet to find an ultimately comfy reading chair.

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  14. Oooh fun topic! I just love reading outside or by water. There's just something so soothing & comforting about it!
    Thanks for stopping by my TTT this week too! :)

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  15. Oh wow... I wish I had a lake like that nearby... it looks amazing! Great picks. I basically read on the couch or in bed. Or, when I'm lucky and the weather is nice, in the garden. :)

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  16. Ohhh your pictures are so pretty! I love reading in my bed as well. However it has to be in my bed. For some reason I can't read when I'm on my parent's bed or my brother's bed.

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting!
    Savindi @ The Streetlight Reader

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  17. Wow, what I wouldn't give to have some of your favourite spots be mine! Those pictures are gorgeous.
    My favourite reading spots are the couch, the balcony (even though I'd rather have your view than my city view), and the library - not very exciting! I'm hoping to get to the beach this year, and I'll definitely be bringing a book. :-)

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  18. Great topic. I love reading by water, the sound of water and a good book = perfection. Agree with all your choices except the balcony one and that's only because I don't have one! Bathtub reading is the ultimate me time :)

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  19. These are great! I also love reading by the water. The beach, pool, lake, you name it! I also love my couch. It's new and super comfy! I wish I had a porch/deck/balcony to read on.

    Thanks for stopping by my TTT!

    Jessica@Lovin' Los Libros

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  20. Oh wow! I have bathtub and pool envy! I can read anywhere :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. I do love to read at the beach or by the pool! I just recently discovered the wonders of reading your book in the waiting room... so much better than reading a germy magazine!

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  22. I love reading in the tub! So relaxing. I'm in chilly Canada, so anytime I'm clod I'll fill up the tub and hop in for an hour or so. I also like to read on the couch and in bed. And on the deck and pretty much just anywhere..

    I love your pool!

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  23. What a fun TTT! I am jealous of 1) Your tub and 2) Your pool. And actually I'm going to add your front porch it seems like a cozy place to sit and read. What I'm not jealous of is Phoenix haha :) I have a lot of family there so I know from personal experience. I have a rather brain dead Uncle who decided to get married in August. Can we say heat stroke?

    Well I hope with the upcoming summer months you get to enjoy some good books in your favorite places!! :)

    Thanks for stopping by my TTT :D
    Sheri @ Perks of Being a Bookworm

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  24. I love the beach for the sound of the ocean waves. In fact, the balcony plays a major part in the decision factor of the condo we rent haha. I love the warmth, sounds, and breeze of the beach but hate the sand and mirky water haha.

    Thanks for stoppin by my blog!

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  25. The beach is my favorite place to read too. I would probably like reading at the lake, but I honestly can't think of the last time I was at a lake. Other than that great choices. I am totally envious of both your bathtub and your pool. Thanks for stopping by my TTT.

    LisaILJ @ I’ll Tumble for YA

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  26. Beach is the best place to read! Great list. Thanks for stopping by my TTT

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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  27. All wonderful places! I love to read at the beach but I don't often get the chance because my 4-year-old is with me. My idea of a good vacation a beach and a stack of books. :) Thanks for the visit.

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  28. Great places, and some gorgeous pictures - I'm very jealous, living in Britain I rarely get the chance to read outside because the weather is rubbish.

    Sarah

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  29. Oh how nice all those place seem! I read regularly in two spots My couch and my bed. I know so shocking and crazy. Airplanes/Airports happen semi- regularly and I used to read in the car when I was waiting around during work.

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  30. My favorite place to read is in a comfy red armchair at home. Not very exciting! I do get a lot of reading done in buses and the subway, though they definitely aren't my favorite places! I like to read outside in the summer - I'm envious of your summers, ours lasts for three months, but we have five months of winter...The rest of the months are sort of in between, for example we still have some snow here and about 6C/43F temperature.

    I always like the idea of reading on the beach better than the actual thing, since the sun always glares off the page too bright to get any reading done! Also I would be too nervous to read in the bath, I would be afraid that I'd drop the book in the water! But that view from your balcony looks breathtaking!

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  31. Wonderful topic, and wow, what a gorgeous house you have! (Or at least, what a great tub, pool, and views you have!)

    I visited Lake Powell with my dad, uncles and aunts, and cousins one year when I was 9 or 10. We stayed in campers. It was fascinating to take a boat around the flooded canyons.

    My favorite place to read is anywhere I can! Like you, I do a lot of reading on the couch or in bed (to the detriment of getting enough sleep.)

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  32. I don't know if this counts because it's not a place, it's weather, but I love reading by a window while it's snowing or raining or storming (especially if the weather matches the book!). My most common spots for reading are in my bed, in a certain chair in my living room, and in the breakroom at my work :P

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  33. The Beach is definetely my favorite place to read(:

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  34. This is such a great idea for a list! I get most of my reading done on the train (not ideal but when you commute about an hour each way, you don't want to waste it!) I wish summer in Illinois was longer because I would divide all my time between the beach and my pool. Both are favorites :) Other than that I think my bed would be top of the list. Glad to see we have so many in common tho

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  35. I loved reading about where you like to get lost in a book! I wish I could spend a greater amount of time near water... I love reading there and remember reading The Lord of the Rings at the pool in the Caribbean when I was 13. I also love to read in the tub! I always let the water get cold that way, haha ^^'
    And waiting rooms... ugh. Unsurvivable without a book! Thanks for sharing, and for your comment on my blog yesterday!

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  36. We share a ton of the same reading spots, but I am totally on board with the bathtub reading! I love soaking with a good book!!

    I hear nothing but awesome things about Lake Powell, thanks for the reminder to get out there one day!

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  37. Yes ! People are always complaining about waiting at the doctor or airport. I love it. I am alone and can get a ton of reading done

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  38. Just found your blog and I already love it! I've spent some time in Phoenix and definitely did some reading there. I vividly remember reading The Diary of Anne Frank for the first time poolside in Phoenix. I can also relate to all the places you read, and am completely jealous of your bed! Going to explore your blog more now x

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  39. Mine is: my bed, couch, in the kitchen (while cooking)

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