Thursday, May 10, 2007

Booking Through Thursday: Ask Not Where, But Where Not?



So, judging by last week’s answers, apparently the question I should have been asking was:

Where DON’T you read?

  • When I was growing up, dinner was family time and bringing books to the table was a big no no. That did not mean I didn't try on occasion. You could often find me reading up to the point I sat down at the table and had to be told to set the book aside. With just my husband and I, we aren't quite so formal; however, if we have company or are eating out together, it's just polite not to pull out that book and read (Anjin and I have done it once or twice when it's just us--always with each other's permission so as not to offend the other--and that's usually because one or both of us is at a really good place in a book and just have to finish that chapter or section).
  • The shower is not a very practical place to read. And as often as I try, I haven't been able to master reading while styling my hair or putting my make-up on.
  • I do not read in a dark theater while enjoying a movie. My eye sight just isn't that good, frankly.
  • I do not do much reading anymore when watching a television program I want to see. I used to try and fit in reading during the commericals, but I find that nowadays, I too often either cannot really appreciate the book because I am waiting for the commericials to end or I become so engrossed in the book I forget to pay attention to the television when my show comes back on. Besides, with the invention of TiVo and DVR's, the fast forward bottom on the remote comes in handy.
  • Work . . . Well, I have to qualify this response by saying that I do no leisure reading while at work outside of my rarely taken breaks and my half hour lunch period. I actually do a lot of reading during work hours. Much of my job involves reading the reports of my employees. Trust me, it's not reading for pleasure.
  • Other than signs, I do not read while driving (I do read sometimes if I'm stopped).
  • I do not read in bookstores other than to browse through titles, maybe read the blurb on the back of the book, and a paragraph from the book to see if it's something I might like. You won't find me camping out in a lounge chair at Barnes and Nobles or stretched out on the floor at Borders or in the cafe of either store reading. There is no particular reason why not; it just never occurs to me to do any of those things.
  • I do not read while shopping in general, other than tags and labels.
  • I cannot read while I am sleeping. I have yet to figure out how to read my book when I am fast asleep. There have been plenty of times I end up cuddling with my book like it was a teddy bear because I can no longer stay awake. Anjin is very adept at sliding the book to safety when he comes to bed.

23 comments:

  1. Thanks for the laughs, Wendy! What a fun post!

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  2. Hi Wendy! Great answers! I don't read in bookstores or shopping either...although I do browse around and read the blurbs so as to decide if the book is worth buying or not. ;)

    Happy BTT!

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  3. Hi Wendy! Very thoughtful answers! I pretty scan books in the bookstores and like Mel, I browse and read blurbs too for the same reason. Coming to think of it, there were many instances too when Hubby had to 'readjust' me because I was in dreamland with my book beside me. Hmm...

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  4. Heh - I've gone to the local Borders plenty of times with every intention of reading a book that I bring with me. I don't know why I haven't learned my lesson yet, because that never happens.

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  5. What a wonderful post. Those are about the only places I don't read as well. I also can't read in the car as I get carsick, which is such a wasted opportunity.

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  6. Oh, too funny... and I love the picture of the road sign you posted! LOL...

    Sounds like Anjin is very considerate -- my DH is not a reader, and doesn't understand my obsession at all!

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  7. I tend to get so involved in whatever I'm reading that I miss the rest of the show, too! My husband and I have talked about getting TiVo for a while but it never seems to be in the budget... probably because we spend so much money on books! Maybe we'll be able to afford it when I'm done with school. :)

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  8. Har! That is a great road sign. Very appropriate. I'm glad you don't attempt reading and driving at the same time. I've seen people do it, and it is terrifying. And usually they are just reading the newspaper...I mean if it was the latest Stephen King, I might be able to understand. :)

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  9. I never read in bookshops either. I'm worried that an assistant will tap me on the shoulder and ask me to buy or leave. Maybe it's something that happened to me when I was a child.

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  10. LOL..

    I don't read in the library. I have to get my book and take it home with me. It's just too quiet there. I like white noise.

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  11. Those are great answers! I don't read asleep either, darn it. I've tried the osmosis thing with a book draped over my face......but not generally intending to.

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  12. I don't read and watch TV anymore. I've gotten much more selective about what I watch on TV, so I want to concentrate on either the program or a book, so I don't miss something. To be honest, I can't wait until summer when I rarely watch TV at all. It's all about books and movies then.

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  13. Thank you, Nancy. I was hoping it would be a little bit of funny. :-)

    Melody - Yes, I do at least do that much reading in a bookstore, but very little more.

    Alice - Thank you. My husband will be glad to know he's not the only one readjusting his wife when she's fallen asleep reading.

    Rhiain - I am so afraid of taking into the bookstore the book I'm in the middle of reading. I worry that someone will accuse me of shoplifting. Not that I've ever done that, but the fear is still there, however irrational. Hubby pointed out the other day that I was carrying an advanced reader's copy that clearly stated as much, but that didn't stop me from pulling it out of my purse and leaving it in the car before we went into the bookstore.

    Kerry - Thank you. I hate that anyone suffers from car sickness because it really is a great time to read, especially on those long trips where the scenary is the same old, same old because you've taken the trip so many times.

    Marianne - Yes, I married a very considerate man--it helps that he enjoys reading, I'm sure. :-)

    Conspiracy-Girl - If you don't mind waiting until tv shows come out on DVD, netflix is a fairly decent and affordable way to go, I've discovered in catching those tv shows commerical free. :-) I'm glad I'm not the only one who forgets to go back to watching tv when she's reading!

    Kookie - It wasn't easy finding a sign that said, "No Reading" and so I improvised. LOL

    Stephen - I admit that I have considered that too. I remember that was the rule in may stores when I was younger, especially when it came to magazines and comic books.

    Karen - I understand what you mean. There's comfort in certain sounds and home is my favorite place to read.

    Carrie K - LOL I've tried that too but it hasn't worked for me either.

    Kristy - You said it! I was so sad to see the new tv season start this past fall because it meant the end of my summer reading. I know I could just stop watching tv during the regular tv season if I really set my mind to it, but that never really seems like an option when I'm looking forward to catching my favorites again.

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  14. I do read between commerical break while watching TV. I think I can managed to do both. We talk about Tivo too but it never get into our budget :(

    LOL about the sign reading. I don't read in the car, I get motion sickness that way. Too easy.

    And like you, I don't read at Barnes and Noble bookstores or any other bookstores except to read the back blurb or titles. I couldn't concentrate to read it in public building of the bookstore. I dunno why. It shouldn't be any different then say reading it doctor building or anywhere else. *shrug*...maybe am just weird? *grin*

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  15. My coworkers accuse me of reading all the time, even during sex, but that's absolutely false...Haven't figured out a way to make that work yet...

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  16. Love that sign and your post made me laugh!

    One of my favorite activities is to spend a couple hours of an afternoon in a bookstore, reading and perusing my possible purchases, although I don't get to do it as much as I used to.

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  17. Julia - I still try sometimes to read during the commercials, but it isn't as easy for me as it once was. :-)

    Bybee - Well, I wasn't going to say it, but I not reading during sex did cross my mind when posting my list. :-)

    Lesley - Thanks! I love spending time in bookstores--my favorite kind of shopping!

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  18. That's a great list. I try to read during commercials too but it never works out.

    Btw, I tagged you for a meme on my blog.

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  19. lol! When in college I tried to read while sleeping via osmosis. Never really worked for me either.

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  20. Love this post--very funny! Made me think about the inappropriate places I read!

    Hope it's okay, but I'm tagging you with the "8 things about me" meme--details on my blog.

    Then I can learn 8 more things about you, if you choose to play :)

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  21. Hi, thanks for visiting my blog. I enjoyed reading your answers to the Booking Thru Thursday meme. :)

    I guess I do have sensitive eyes. They are brown but when I tried to read outdoors without sunglasses my eyes bother me, tear up or I begin to squint from the glare.

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  22. I love this post, and it has left me smiling, especially with the bonus of that great photo at the end. Delightful. Now, if you listen to audiotapes you may read while driving and even while sleeping, or at least right before and just after waking. :<)

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  23. Thank you, Chris. Commericial breaks just aren't long enough sometimes for good reading. Who would ever think I'd say that? LOL

    Niki - I tried a lot of that in college too. I kept hoping it would work . . .

    Gentle Reader - Thank you! And thanks for tagging me for the Eight Things About Me meme. I will be posting my list soon. :-)

    Betty - Thank you for stopping by. It probably isn't healthy for your eyes in general to read in direct sunlight, but it must be worse when you have sensitive eyes. My husband has sensitive eyes like you do.

    Nan - Thanks! I am glad I left a smile on your face for awhile. The photo is net, isn't it?

    I like to listen to the news or music on my way to work in the morning, plus my drive is not all that long. Someday perhaps I will find a way to fit audio books into my life. :-)

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