Someone recently asked me what the most extreme place I’ve ever read in was. I immediately answered that it was at a David Lee Roth concert - where I, not a great fan, pulled out a copy of
The Forsyte Saga and read it with a little torch, slinking slightly down my seat. It didn’t add greatly to my popularity at the time, but I did get the paper I had due done, and an A in that class (and added the perfect frisson of subversiveness to what might otherwise have been a dull read). I’ve read in all sorts of odd places--on top of a windy sand-dune (see
Extreme Reading part 1), in the hospital while in labour (not past transition...in case you were wondering, though I remember each of those books with extra fondness), while cooking, on the back of a motorcycle, while walking my dog, and many times surreptitiously when I was supposed to be doing something else (working, sleeping, cleaning, putting things away, etc). That probably accounts for my clumsiness as it’s hard to avoid bumping into things if you’re reading while walking.
It may well be just a naughty streak, but I quite like reading in odd and sometimes extreme circumstances. That isn’t to say that I don’t also like reading in relaxed, comfortable positions. A window nook or warm bed will do just fine, but I do find that what I read is coloured by the conditions under which I read, and an interesting situation can make for a very powerful addition to the experience, as the reading is impacted upon by hormones (as in the case of labour), bad music (as in the case of DLR), good music (for example, I’m currently reading Philip Glass’ wonderful memoir
Words Without Music and having his music on while reading is perfect). So what about you? Have you ever read a book while travelling on the back of an elephant? Sneaked a peak during a rock concert? Took your book out when you should have been doing something far more responsible like cleaning the bathroom? Go on...tell all. I’d like to know. It will just be between us.
photo credit: A good read via photopin (license)
Well, I do know that I was the bane of my mum's life when I was a kid because I would be so engrossed in a book that I wouldn't hear when she called me to do my chores! :-)
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