The Reading Habits Book Tag

When I was having my daily dose of blog reading I came across this tag on Book Boodle's blog and I was eager to give it a go as it looked like fun to complete! So why not grab a cuppa and  a snack and find out about my reading habits! 

Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

I have two places I love to read. The first is in bed... snuggling under the duvet with the lamp on and candles burning, it's so cosy and relaxing. I also have a swivel armchair in the living that is SO comfy I also love sitting there to read. 

Bookmark or random piece of paper?

I usually use a bookmark if there's one to hand, though I have been known to use train tickets, receipts, random torn up paper... whatever will mark the page!

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

I try to reach the end of a chapter as it's a good breaking point. However, there's nothing worse than having to stop reading and the chapter being a cliff hanger! It's so hard to resist. 

Do you eat or drink while reading?

Nothing beats a good cuppa and some nice biscuits while enjoying a book. 

Multitasking: music or TV whilst reading?

No no no! I can't do multitasking when reading, I get too distracted! I don't mind reading while my other half watches a programme I'm not bothered about as I can switch off, but nothing I'm interest in or I get confused and distracted.

One book at a time or several at once?I've never been able to read more than one book at a time, I get the plots and characters mixed up and forget what belongs where. I like loosing myself in one book at a time and to fully enjoy it. 

Read at home or everywhere?

Anywhere and everywhere I have a spare moment! I read on the train during my commute to work, on my lunch break and on my way home from work. I have the kindle app on my phone so that I can also read easily when I'm working out at the gym- it helps distract me from the exercise I'm doing! Then I always finish my day by reading in bed before I go to sleep. 

Read aloud or silently in your head?

Silently in my head. I'd find it strange to read aloud!

Do you read ahead or even skip pages?

Nooo it'd spoil it for me, especially if it's a gripping thriller I'm reading. The only time I skip ahead is if I need to stop reading and so need to see how many pages I have until the end of the chapter, because, as above, I can't just stop halfway through!

Breaking the spine or keeping it new?

I try and keep them as new as possible, but it can be really difficult to do. 

Do you write in books?

NEVER! What on earth?! That would be a crime, surely!

I hope you enjoyed reading this post, it was so much fun to complete :) I'm not going to tag anyone in particular but if you want to give it a go, feel free! Please tag me in any of your posts because I'd love to see other answers. 

Happy Sunday! 

L xxx

Winter is coming...

So, the clocks have changed, the dark nights are upon us and I've had to fetch out my 'big coat' to wrap up warm. Most people are grumbling about winter being close by and how depressing the dark winter nights are. I have to say though, I don't agree. I LOVE winter. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a sunny summer holiday - relaxing by the pool with a good book and a cocktail. Bliss. But, if we're honest with ourselves, British summers suck. They aren't reliable, you can't guarantee good weather and deciding what to wear each day is a bloody nightmare. Vest top? cardigan? light jacket? Sunglasses? who knows! chuck it all in a massive bag and hope for the best. Ugh. At least with winter you can rely on it being cold. You know you'll need a coat and an umbrella on hand. It's a dependable season. I agree that this time of year isn't the best when you have to be out and about as it can be so wet and cold, but at least you know what to prepare for.

Then there's the general cosiness of the season. Getting home from work and shutting out the dark, dreary weather. A hot bath, fresh PJs and a night on the sofa when it's cold and rainy outside feel like such a treat. Swapping a big night out for a quiet night in with a book seems more acceptable in the winter months than they do in Summer.

Autumn and Winter also have brilliant holidays to celebrate. Although I'm not massively into Halloween, I do think its fun to see all the decorations and costumes and people getting into the spirit. Swiftly followed by bonfire night, which I love... fireworks and toffee apples and parkin (om nom) - my healthy eating goes out the window once Summer comes to an end, especially once mince pies start hitting the shelves.

Finally, I love autumn and winter clothes - boots, scarves, jeans, coats... I much prefer dressing in the winter than I do in Summer. I'm naturally really pale and burn easily, so I love not having to carry around a bottle of sun cream or fake tanning my milk bottle legs regularly in case I wear a dress - I can hide them in some tights instead.

I love getting in from work, having something warm and comforting for tea (think sausage and mash with gravy, shepherds pie and gravy... basically something smothered in gravy!), followed by a hot shower and getting into fresh PJ's. Once I'm in my comfies, I'll light some candles, make a cuppa, grab some biscuits and dive into bed with a book.  An early night in bed reading is no doubt my ultimate happy place, and I think it's even better in the winter when you can hear the wind and the rain outside and feel even more snug. Basically I love Autumn when I feel cosy, relaxed and can have my nose stuck in a book.

What do you like most about this time of year? Let me know in the comments below!