Tag, you’re it! A Reading Habits Tag

I recently read a great post by a blogging buddy, Callum McLaughlin, in which he took part in a reading habits tag. He passed the torch, so to speak, to his readers and I couldn’t resist. So here are my answers 🙂

Question #1: Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
No, I read all over the house! If I’m at a crucial part in the story and I can’t put it down, I even read in the kitchen, while cooking J If I have the time, I’ll relax in my computer chair, or better yet, the sofa. It’s dangerous though, because if it’s a good book, not only do I get lost in another world, I disappear into the comforting arms of my trusty couch and it takes a minor emergency to get me moving again!

Question #2: Bookmark or a random piece of paper?
Bookmark, definitely. I have a collection of them; usually ones with funny expressions or quotes that take my fancy. My favourite is one made by a friend – I like the thought she put into it and it makes me smile whenever I open the book I’m reading.

Question #3: Can you stop reading anytime you want or do you have to stop at a certain page, chapter, part, etc.?
Sometimes I can’t stop, and I think we’ve all been there. I tell myself I’ll put it down at the end of the chapter, and my girls can attest to the number of times I say ‘I’ll just read to the end of the chapter’ which turns into the longest chapter in history! If I’m limited for time and don’t have a choice, I will stop at a sensible point. But it’s not always possible. I read in between jobs sometimes, and have to put the book down at whatever point I get to.

Question #4: Do you eat or drink while reading?
Yes. I often set a whole day aside for reading, if I’m beta-reading, or if I want to dedicate some time to a novel. I also read during my lunch break – though I’m careful not to get food between the pages, or god forbid, a coffee stain J

Question #5: Can you read while listening to music/watching TV?
I don’t usually have a choice. My daughters either have the TV blaring or their music turned up. When I read at work there’s always noise in the background and I’m pretty good a switching off. My family like to tease me about my intense focus when I’m reading or writing. Sometimes they need to shout to get my attention (it’s called selective hearing!).

Question #6: One book at a time, or several at once?
I prefer to read one book at a time, but I do read more than one. I have a selection I put in my bag and know which one to pull out depending on how much time I have. I read for work too, and for research, so generally my bookmarks get put to good use!

Question #7: Reading at home or everywhere?
Everywhere. I think that’s clear by now! The only place I don’t read is on a bus or train, because I suffer from travel sickness. At those times I listen to an audiobook.

Question #8: Reading out loud or silently in your head?
In my head, but I love to read out load.

Question #9: Do you read ahead or skip pages?
Never. I think it spoils the story if you skip parts or read ahead, no matter how impatient you are to know how it all turns out. It’s a journey to me, one I take with the characters and they can’t skip ahead so neither do I!

Question #10: Breaking the spine or keeping it new?
I don’t even like to joke about breaking the spine. My sister used to complain about reading my books; she took to reading with a torch because she couldn’t see all the words when she opened them part of the way. Now that’s dedication for you!

Question #11: Do you write in books?
I used to write in the books I bought for my daughters, or now for my niece and nephews. A little message for them to keep. It adds to the history somehow. As long as the spine isn’t broken I’m happy!

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Thanks, Callum, that was fun!

Thanks for reading.

Mel