A year and a half ago, my family and I moved from a small, cramped house that we’d called home for 7 years. Small. Did I mention small? It sat on 2 acres of land which really did make up for the tiny quarters. There are 4 of us in our home, and that’s if you don’t include our fur-babies - 1 80 lb golden retriever and an 8 lb pomeranian who ran away just before our move. There were 2 bedrooms. 2 bathrooms. The kitchen was so tiny, two people could not be in there at once. The house was old and falling apart, and for about 5 of those 7 years, I couldn’t wait to get out. I wanted a home with a fireplace, with enough rooms that my children didn’t have to sleep together, and maybe (God willing) where I could have my own space. I got all that and more when we moved back in June 2005.
We’re only 2 minutes from our other house. I have my own office lined wall to wall with books. A huge garden tub in our private bathroom. A large screened in patio. A fireplace. 2 separate rooms for my kids. A great school within walking distance that they attend. A real garage door and a nice walkway from driveway to front door. My kitchen is big enough to hold my hold family PLUS guests. I love it here. I wouldn’t go back to the other house for anything.
But there’s one thing I desperately miss in that old house– My reading nook. Reading nook is perhaps the wrong name for it, because I did EVERYTHING there, but since it was the only spot in the house I could comfortably read, we’ll stick with that term. I’m one of those people who never really sat and read a page here or there. When it’s time to read, I bunk down with that book and it becomes another appendage to my body. I may not have alot of time to read, but that book will follow me everywhere until I’ve finished it. It rides along in my purse, sits on my nightstand, on the kitchen counter. Where ever I happen to be. Because here at this newer house, I read where ever I can, where ever I happen to be at that moment. But at that smaller, more confined home, I had a corner of the living room that was stocked with a table and a big, oversized Italian leather chair that was alllllll mine. It had just the perfect reading light, was near enough to my family that I didn’t feel like I was neglecting them, and still, there was something about that corner that let me tune out their voices, the TV, the dishwasher…and just read. I read Harry Potter there — the first 5 books. I read my first Sherrilyn Kenyon book there and became an avid fan. I read and reread Julie Garwood a million times in that chair. In that corner of my home.
I love my new home, but I’ve yet to find that sacred place here. Perhaps it’s because my Italian chair is gone. But I think it’s more due to the fact that I’ve only been here a little over a year, and the old home was a real home to me then, surrounded my memories of having my son and daughter grow up right before my eyes. I’ve tried every room of this house : the office, the patio, the couch in front of the fire place. I still sit down to read, but that ability to block out the rest of the world and get lost in a good story hasn’t found me here yet.
Do you have a sacred place? A favorite chair or room that is yours and yours alone? Any tips on creating a new one for me???
My favorite reading place is either on my bed under the blankets, or in my closet (it’s a walk in and has plenty of space while still feeling cozy)
Comment by Ali — October 24, 2006 @ 9:28 am
I don’t really have a place to just sit and read anymore. Most times I read on my patio, because it’s a great little room that I mostly have to myself, but that spot like I had in my old house nine years ago hasn’t materialized in the new house yet. I’m still holding out hope though.
Comment by Laura — October 24, 2006 @ 9:52 am
If the book is good, I can read it and get sucked totally into the story anwhere — living room, car, bathroom, porch, etc. If it isn’t, I could be in a locked, padded room and it wouldn’t help.
Comment by Elizabeth — October 24, 2006 @ 10:07 am
Comment by Tara Greenbaum — October 24, 2006 @ 1:07 pm
Heather, your new home story was wonderful. I can just see your home with its screen porch and fireplace. I read everywhere (including, no kidding, coffeehouses, where I always have a pen and tablet for overheard inspiration). But I also have a small porch that’s a great cozy place for reading on days that aren’t below freezing!
Luv,
Cleo Coyle
Latest release: Coffeehouse Mystery #4 - Murder Most Frothy
An IMBA bestseller!
Comment by Cleo — October 24, 2006 @ 1:15 pm
I too live in a very small house. There is no room for privacy. I usually sit in the livingroom on the sofa, but it’s hard to read with all the coming and going of my 3 kids.
In the winter I like reading in the basement because that’s where the heat is. I sit as close to the woodstove as possible without getting burned and read. I have to tune the t.v. out, but that’s ok as long as I’m warm.
Comment by Jaclyne Laurin — October 24, 2006 @ 2:54 pm
I read either in the bathtub or I turn in an hour early to bed and read there! It seems like those are the only two places where I can be alone to concentrate. Like you, I’m in a new house. I’ve got plenty of space, but no place feels “just right”.
Comment by Jolie Mathis — October 24, 2006 @ 3:38 pm
I can read anywhere—so am no help to you!
Comment by Estella — October 24, 2006 @ 3:47 pm
I read in bed under the covers, too. But my special place that I love is a settee in my Florida room. That room has two sets of sliding glass doors and nine windows that let in lots of light and scenery. We’re out in the country, so the view is calming to me. I curl up on that settee and read, work Jumbles and crossword puzzles, and write on my AlphaSmart.
Comment by Cheri — October 24, 2006 @ 5:13 pm
I’m lucky to have a reader that I can take anywhere with me. But for the paperback’s I love I like to either read on my porch or in the bathtub.
Comment by Judy Leigh Peters — October 24, 2006 @ 5:15 pm
Good luck in your new Home Heather. I hope you find that comfy reading corner soon.
Comment by Annette Blair — October 25, 2006 @ 12:22 pm
Good post, Heather. I can read anywhere as long as I can lay on my stomach. My butt gets too sore otherwise. Lol.
Comment by Shannon Greenland — October 25, 2006 @ 1:56 pm
WOW! You guys who can just read anywhere, I so envy you. Not that I can’t, I just can’t get lost that way unless my whole body is perfectly cozy. The same way I cant sit back and enjoy a great movie if the living room is a mess or I know there are dishes in the sink.
Being anal sucks!
Comment by Heather — October 26, 2006 @ 10:16 am
Reading by the fireplace can be a very pleasant experience during winter.
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Comment by Sackcloth — August 6, 2007 @ 7:34 am