Portobello Book Blog

I saw this recently on Hayley’s blog Rather Too Fond of Books and fancied joining in. I think you are supposed to ‘tag’ someone for them to answer but I’m not going to do that. If you want to join in, you could share your reading habits by commenting below or if you’re a blogger, you could answer on your own blog. Link to this post though, so I can read your answers!

Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

I read anywhere! If I have time during the day, I’ll curl up on the sofa with a big cup of tea but I’m equally happy reading in bed or even in the bath! In summer, I love to be able to read in the summerhouse where I can hear the sea and listen to the birds in the tree.

Bookmark or random piece of paper?

If I’m reading a physical book it has to be a bookmark. I used to turn over the page corners when I was younger, something I hate now. But in an emergency, a bus ticket or shop receipt will do. Of course, with my Kindle bookmarks are no longer needed which is very helpful.

Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop at the end of a chapter/a certain amount of pages? 

I prefer to stop at the end of a chapter and I have a bit of a weird thing where I hate ending on an odd chapter (unless it’s a 5 – don’t ask, I don’t know why!). Books without chapters stress me and I found The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, with its prime numbered chapters, seriously challenging!

Do you eat or drink when reading?

Yes, although that’s much easier with a Kindle than a real book.

Multitasking: music or TV whilst reading?

The radio is always on in my house and it’s always Radio 2. Couldn’t watch TV and read though, can’t concentrate on both.

One book at a time or several at once?

Only one at a time unless I have been struggling with a book and put it down to go back to later.

Read at home or everywhere?

As I said above, I read anywhere! I have been known to walk along the prom on my way to my exercise classes reading – just need to make sure I look up occasionally so I don’t bump into anyone!

Read aloud or silently in your head?

I would only read aloud if I was reading to my kids when they were younger or my wee nieces now. Having said that, my husband and I used to read to each other in the car if we were on a long journey. I think I would just fall asleep if I tried that now though!

Do you read ahead or even skip pages?

The only time I would look ahead is I was really worried about a character and then I might sneak a quick peek at the last couple of pages just to see if their name was mentioned!

Breaking the spine or keeping it new?

Keeping it new always! It is often hard to tell if I’ve read a book as there is rarely a mark on the spine. I hate if I lend out a book and it comes back looking well used. I shouldn’t really mind I know, I should just be pleased they are being read and appreciated! The only books I have which look well used, because they are, are my cookery books.

Do you write in books?

Again, my poor cookcooks get abused this way! I might make  a note  about a variation in a recipe but never write in other books. That what notebooks are for!

Hmm, I see I couldn’t quite bring myself to write the variation on the book, it’s on the post it note! Although I have written beside the icing part of the recipe. This is from Nigella’s How To Be A Domestic Goddess by the way. It’s the Lemon Syrup Loaf Cake which is a firm favourite and so easy to bake. Works every time, so light and sticky!