We are in the midst of the short, dark, and, for many of us, cold days of winter. We’re lighting fireplaces, snuggling under blankets, and eating way too many carbs to keep warm.
At least, I am.
I also, however, think of these days when we want to stay bundled up and indoors as time made perfectly for tackling the towering to-read pile of books on my nightstand—and, honestly, all over the floor by the side of my bed.
Now, I don’t need the freezing weather to justify my love of curling up with a good book—reading is its own reward, of course—but, just as a happy fact, let me add that university studies show that the brain-stimulating pleasure of reading improves memory and the ability to concentrate, it relieves stress, it slows the rate of decline in mental processes as we age, and helps to keep Alzheimer’s at bay.
If someone dares to accuse you of spending too much time with your nose in a book on these long winter evenings, just tell them you’re working on your mental health.
And, if you and/or any of your beloveds are, like me, among the millions of us who relish a meaty read, I’ve put together a list of my favorite reading accessories. These are the things that make my reading nook a little bit of heaven to which I can escape for an hour or two. Have a look below—maybe they’ll become some of your favorite things too.
That is, unless they’re already on your own list...
I like to read in bed, so my first consideration is a good stack of supportive pillows to prop me up. I’m old school about the base layer of pillows in this stack: a tried-and-true reading pillow of the sort we had back in our teenage bedrooms and dorm rooms.
This homely, durable one, from LinenSpa, is covered in soft, crushed velour and is filled with memory foam so it offers substantial support, and the fabric handle at the top makes it easily portable. I chose the color “stone” because the neutral works in my grown-up room, though it also comes in navy.
Whether you’re reading, or watching a movie—or your own teenager is gaming—this pillow works, and you can’t beat the price.
If, like us, wine is one of your top go-to libations when you tuck in to have a good read, you’re going to appreciate these functional, artisan Italian wine glasses.
Why?
Well, first thing, because they’re beautiful, and made even more so by the unique imperfections in each glass.
Mostly, however, you’re going to love them because they’re practical. In Italy, the people believe that drinking a nice wine isn’t a special event. Rather, it is just part of day-to-day grace, and pleasure, and it doesn’t need to be served in special, fragile, and expensive stemware. Now, I love my over-sized balloon red wine glasses as much as anyone, but on my reading table I want a glass I don’t have to worry about easily knocking over—or breaking. These squat, sturdy little “tumblers” are perfection for this purpose—and they hold just the right amount of wine to take you through that next chapter: a generous five and a half ounce pour.
Now, what is the best thing in the world to pair with a nice red wine? Chocolate. Dark. Belgian.
Without question.
Nevertheless, in our travels, we search out the most exciting local chocolates the area has to offer—a recent favorite is Kakawa Chocolate House in Santa Fe, New Mexico where you can enjoy an intense Mesoamerican chocolate elixir of the sort considered sacred in pre-Colombian cultures.
Still, with due respect to chocolatiers around the whole world, these Godiva delights are a pantry staple. Dark chocolate shells filled with rich caramel, velvety ganache, nuts, fruit... Take a bite of one, then sip of wine, and then return to your delicious story.
Comfort is key in the precious hours when we can escape to our book nooks, and there is really nothing more comforting than being wrapped in the warmth of cashmere.
Unless it is being wrapped in affordable cashmere.
This shawl is lightweight but, oh, so soft and snug, and oversized so you can wrap it around you like a blanket. It is luxurious and sophisticated and—importantly—very well priced. It comes in a rainbow of colors—I chose the elegant gray and, while I can, and might, wear it around my shoulders on a chilly evening out, it lives every day draped over my reading pillow, just waiting for me to snuggle in.
I don’t know about you, but I rarely get cold feet.
Though my feet do get cold.
Pithy and colorful, these special reading socks will keep your tootsies toasty while you’re driving deep into next fictional adventure.
And they let interlopers know just exactly what they can do should they try to interrupt your ride.
Sure, no one needs a special shirt to remind her that she’s widely and adventurously read.
But, why not?
I love the vintage vibe of this one. My teenagers are especially fond of wearing theirs.
100% cotton; 100% book nerd.
7. Bookmarks
I have a drawer filled with bookmarks of every sort—metal, wood, paper, laminated paper, braided paper, enhanced with tassels and jewels and, in one case, little gold golf balls that dangle over a book’s spine to mark my place. My newest favorites, however, are these sweet, flexible little silicon sprouts. Do they work better than any other bookmark you might currently have? Not really. But I think they’re charming, poking out of the tops of my books, and I love them.
Best of all? They come in a package of eight so, theoretically, there’s one for every book I’m trying to read all at the same time.
Once you’ve assembled your favored accessories, all that’s left for you to do is to choose your reading material. Fiction or non-fiction? A short story collection or a novel? Current bestseller or a classic? Paper book or eReader?
Speaking of eReaders, I’m still reading on the Kindle I bought in 2009. The longevity of the device proves it is durable, but I’m ready for an upgrade—and I’m torn between the Kindle Fire HD 10 tablet, and the Kindle Paperwhite. I use my Kindle, right now, exclusively for reading, so there’s that. If anyone has an opinion or a recommendation, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Comments