How we create a comfy reading environment

One of the duck and my 2022 New Year’s resolutions is keeping up our reading habit. In fact, within the past two years, the duck and I finished twice as many books as in the four years before. There were times in the past when I read even more than that, but the duck and I are lazy, so I’m happy with our mini achievements. Because I don’t love all the books I read (well, didn’t; I’m working hard on no longer fearing being haunted by unfinished stories), the duck and I have a few methods targeting different senses that make our reading experience more appealing. Of course, we have compiled them into a checklist (the love is real!). Who knows, maybe there even is a decent idea, or two, in there that you’d like to use for enhancing your own reading experience:

A pre-reading checklist

• Search selective silence. The duck and I love nature sounds; we also don’t mind constant non-nature ones (like washing machines, etc.). When it comes to people talking, or certain types of music, however, we find it very hard to stay within the world of the book we’re reading.
• Or: Search suitable soundtracks. When we know we won’t have silence, the duck and I like to put on a reading soundtrack. We mainly listen to instrumental music that suits our reading material (like fantasy soundtracks or those long smooth jazz cafe videos you can find on YouTube). Usually, we select one video/playlist per book or book series. That way our reading soundtrack also acts as a speedy transportation device into the world we now connect it with.
• Get cozy. The duck and I can technically read anywhere. When we have trouble immersing ourselves in the material, however, we need complete comfort. For us, this means an appropriate backrest and, ideally, someplace we can extend our legs/easily change our reading position. This is why we have a favorite reading spot and an alternative, just in case. In winter, we love having our fluffy blanket around for extra coziness. Sometimes we light a scented candle.
• Enjoy a nice cup of tea/coffee/[insert your favorite beverage here]. For a while, the duck and I had the habit of brewing ourselves a cup of black tea before an afternoon reading session (which is one of the rare instances we enjoy black tea). Sometimes we’re in the mood for fancy herbal tea, or matcha latte, or hot chocolate. Having a delicious hot beverage within reach never fails to excite us.
• Make reading a habit, but don’t force it. Being the procrastinators that we are, the duck and I used to have trouble getting to that moment of holding an actual book in our hands, ready to begin a reading session. This is why we tried to make it a habit by setting aside time to read whenever we could, even if it’s just a few pages. Since we tend to hold on to our habits (our Duolingo streak is in the 2000s by now), picking up a book has become more natural. But, we also don’t force ourselves if we really don’t feel like reading or are too busy to properly focus on it.

What about you? (What) do you like to read? Do you have any particular reading habits?