My reading habits

A while back I read a post on Sian's blog about her reading habits and I've had it in my mind for a while to answer the same questions.  I have always been a big reader but the last year I think I managed a disappointing total of two books!  That is shocking and I so want to get back into it and enjoy getting lost in the fantasy world between the covers or delve into someone else's life via a good biography. We've recently set up a book club too so I've got a commitment to read a book by a certain date which has made me pull my socks up!

So here are the same set of questions with my own thoughts...

Do you have a certain place at home to read?
Generally I read in bed of an evening.  It's time to wind down, no interruptions and my pile of books are piled right next to my bed.  I have also been known to read in the garden on a summers day and sit in the conservatory in the spring-time with the doors open at the weekend if I have a quiet moment (ha! what's one of those?).  

A bookmark or a random piece of paper?
Always a bookmark! I used to have one from Austria that my Grandma gave me but I had to retire it as it started to fall apart.  It's now stored away safely for sentimental reasons.  I have a lace one from Brugge, given to me by my mum, a bead and elastic one from a craft market in Belfast and a Mr Bump magnet "borrowed" from Josh.  I generally have a few books on the go (see further down) so they all get used!

Can you stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or number of pages?
Without fail I HAVE to stop at the end of a chapter every time.  I get a bit twitchy if I'm reading while waiting for an appointment or to pick up A or J and find I have to stop part way through.  As soon as I'm home I have to get to the end of the chapter so I can put the book to one side.  Maybe it's because I think the author has spent a lot of time planning the book so that the chapter ends are perfectly placed or maybe it's the OCD in me!

Do you eat or drink while reading?
I usually have a cup of tea while in bed reading.  In the garden I've been known to have a glass of wine or a nice cold beer!  Generally I don't eat a meal while I'm reading but I might snack on something sweet or savoury.

Do you watch TV or listen to music while reading?
I couldn't concentrate if I did that!  I like relative quiet while reading although a little background music while in the garden, filtering out from the kitchen window has been known!  

One book at a time or several at once?
I used to be a one book at a time girl.  But in recent years my reading habits have broadened to read more educational books and so I will usually ave one of those on the go.  Plus I have also recently started subscribing to "audible" in order to listen to a book in my car when I do a long drive or if I want to listen late at night when hubby has gone to bed early (he works away and gets up at some ungodly hour when he has to set off for work!).  The two I have listened to so far have both been read by excellent actors and really brought the books to life.  Currently I am listening to "Head over Heel", reading Danny Baker's "Going to sea in a sieve" and re- reading "The five love languages of teenagers".  So that's a fiction, fact and self-help book on the go all at once.

Reading at home or everywhere?
I always have a book in my bag.  Usually the educational one so I can dip in and out of it but sometimes a good story.  I also have the audible app on my phone so can listen in my car anytime.  I love to read on holiday; around the pool, on the beach and on the balcony and especially on the plane to make the flight go quick.

Reading aloud or silently in your head?
In my head!  I think people would lock me up if I started reading out loud!

Do you ever read ahead or skip pages?
No!  If I'm inclined to skip pages then that tells me the book is not for me and it's time to call it a day.  That's only happened a couple of times.  And I don't read ahead - that would just spoil a good story.

Do you ever write in books?
Puzzle books maybe but never a reading book.  I do have the Scribble Diary that I write in every so often and capture a random day. But writing in a book? That would be so wrong.  The only time that has been allowed in this house is when annotations have been added to GCSE Literature books!  

So what are your reading habits?  I'd love to know and read about them.  Just tag me in your post and I'll come and have a look :)