B-5 GoodReads Challenge 2015 discussion

My favorite "ideal" place to read is sitting outside on the porch at the end of the day with my dog Canyon under my chair. I enjoy hearing everything from the sounds of nature to cars driving by in the background. I like it b/c the motion around me for some reason seems to give me permission to stop & escape to another place within my imagination.

I enjoy reading in by bedroom all snuggle up under my covers. I also like listening to music play on the background while reading. I like to read in by room because my sisters bother me less while I'm in my room. The background music relaxes me, especially if its "bachata".

Actually, I have to be honest here. I really don't enjoy reading very much because of all the readings that I have to do for school. I feel like because I have so many text books to read the joy of reading for pleasure has been robbed from me. If I do read it's usually on the couch or in my bed after my family has gone to bed so I can have peace and quiet.

Michele wrote: "Actually, I have to be honest here. I really don't enjoy reading very much because of all the readings that I have to do for school. I feel like because I have so many text books to read the joy of..."
I can completely relate to that feeling (connection!). When I was in graduate school and even now, I have to be really intentional to make time for "fun reading" b/c I'm often swamped with reading that is very school related. The couch & bed are my usual spots ... or a coffee shop. Sometimes it's only for 15-20 min. but it's such a nice break from the reality around me. Thank you for being so honest BUT still sharing how you approach reading for pleasure. :)

I am so glad that someone understands. It's really hard to get pleasure reading in with so much school work. I think the last book I read for pleasure was Waiting to Exhale by Toni Morrison.

As I have gotten older I really don't even read for fun or enjoyment. I actually do not read that often, but when I do, I'm usually in my bed, bundled up with complete silence. The silence allows me to focus and understand what is going on in the book and comprehend the story line of the book. Although I do not like to read for myself, I do love reading to children. I have 16 nieces and nephews and we all have a blast during story time when I get to spend time with them.

I enjoy reading in my bed when I wake up in the morning and before I go to bed at night. I love reading to children when I am working in a Pre-K classroom. I read to them in a large group, small group, and sometime one-one in the class library.

Whenever I have free time I enjoy reading, during the warmer weather, on my porch. I also love to take books with me to the beach and on vacation. Right now that it about the only time I have to read. When I read now it is mostly magazines and text books.

I like to read in my bed and I usually lay down on my stomach to read. However, it's really difficult for me to find the books that I like or the ones that I want to read.

My favorite place to read in curled up on my couch with a blanket. I enjoy reading from my Kindle because it is a tablet which provides its own light and it also is easy to hold in my hands. I enjoy being on the couch while reading because it is extremely comfortable and soft to sit on. When trying to read for longer periods of time in a hard chair, I get distracted easily and cannot retain whatever information I a getting from the text. So, for me at least, reading in a soft, cozy area is best!

My favorite place to read in curled up on my couch with a blanket. I enjoy reading from my Kindle because it is a tablet which provides its own light and it also is easy to hold in my hands. I enjoy being on the couch while reading because it is extremely comfortable and soft to sit on. When trying to read for longer periods of time in a hard chair, I get distracted easily and cannot retain whatever information I a getting from the text. So, for me at least, reading in a soft, cozy area is best!

I enjoy reading in my room/bed at night. I prefer it to be dimly lighted, which of course it bad for your eye. I also enjoy reading outside either by the pool or just lounging around. I find it relaxing to late at night because it is easier for me to focus on the book. Outside is calming a relaxing.

I enjoy reading by the pool. In bed doesn't work for me; I always fall asleep. By the pool is so relaxing and I get to tan while doing it! Multitasking at it's finest.
Ironically, I also enjoy reading on the plane. It eases my worries and I read so much more when I'm trapped on a bus in the sky.:)

Monique wrote: "Whenever I have free time I enjoy reading, during the warmer weather, on my porch. I also love to take books with me to the beach and on vacation. Right now that it about the only time I have to ..."

My response is similar. The outdoors are so relaxing. Sometimes I take a book hiking with me and sit at the top of the mountain and read. It feels like mediation.

When I was younger I used to take every opportunity to read. I read in the car, in restaurants, during lunch, on the bus, and a whole host of other places. Now that I'm older, with a lot less time on my hands, my favorite place to read is my favorite place in the entire world: my bed! I spend hours at a time in bed reading books on my laptop, tablet, or phone. I also find my favorite place to read is anywhere where I'm in motion (and with lots of background noise; it oddly keeps me focused). For example, I ride the train everyday and I always read during that time. I drive myself around a lot, but when I am riding in the car I always take that opportunity to read.
I also think my new favorite place to read is actually in the classroom. When I read to my students, I'm always happy. I love seeing their reactions to funny lines and I get so excited when they retell the story to their parents at the end of the day. I hope to experience an abundance of this feeling in the near future!

I enjoy reading at home in a room where it is completely silent. I cannot concentrate when there is noise and I have to re-read paragraphs several time to understand what I have read when I am distracted.

Jazmin wrote: "I enjoy reading in by bedroom all snuggle up under my covers. I also like listening to music play on the background while reading. I like to read in by room because my sisters bother me less while ..."
I am just the opposite! No music, I can't think at all with music!It's amazing how minds differ on so many levels.

Seon wrote: "I like to read in my bed and I usually lay down on my stomach to read. However, it's really difficult for me to find the books that I like or the ones that I want to read."
Same here, I like reading on my bed but not on my stomach. I get tired like that, I rather be almost in a sitting position with pillows supporting my back.

Zoraya wrote: "I enjoy reading at home in a room where it is completely silent. I cannot concentrate when there is noise and I have to re-read paragraphs several time to understand what I have read when I am dist..."
I can not read when it is completely silent. There has to be something going on on the background but not to loud.

Christina wrote: "I enjoy reading in my bed when I wake up in the morning and before I go to bed at night. I love reading to children when I am working in a Pre-K classroom. I read to them in a large group, small ..."

I also love to read with my children in the classroom. I like to read in the bed, but I can't read before I go to bed because I always fall a sleep.

I enjoy reading when I'm stressed or busy. it's weird. If I have a few minutes to spare I crack open a book and it kinda relieved the stress. It doesn't matter where, in the car, bed, waiting room, etc. Reading is relaxing no matter where for me.

I enjoy reading in my room in complete silence. Something about it helps me concentrate, especially with text books. If there is background noise while I'm doing a reading assignment, ill find myself focusing on the noise instead of reading. Another place that I read is on my commute to and from school on MARTA. It definitely helps the trip go by faster.

I enjoy reading while while I'm at work. I like to see the joy and excitement on the children's faces when I read them a new book.

Zoraya wrote: "I enjoy reading at home in a room where it is completely silent. I cannot concentrate when there is noise and I have to re-read paragraphs several time to understand what I have read when I am dist..."

I am the same way. If it is not completely silent, I won't be able to comprehend what I am reading!

Jazmin wrote: "Zoraya wrote: "I enjoy reading at home in a room where it is completely silent. I cannot concentrate when there is noise and I have to re-read paragraphs several time to understand what I have read..."
I think its' so weird how the brain works and some of us needs noise while others want silence. Any type of noise drives me nuts while reading and I cannot concentrate or comprehend anything that I am reading.

Seon wrote: "Christina wrote: "I enjoy reading in my bed when I wake up in the morning and before I go to bed at night. I love reading to children when I am working in a Pre-K classroom. I read to them in a l..."
It's so much fun reading in the classroom. When there is voice intonation and excitement and children are also interactive with the story, it is so much fun while children are also learning!

Jaelyn wrote: "When I was younger I used to take every opportunity to read. I read in the car, in restaurants, during lunch, on the bus, and a whole host of other places. Now that I'm older, with a lot less time ..."
I think it's awesome that you love to read so much! You even love it more when your environment is not only noisy, but super noisy! I could never do that, but need complete silence. I would like to read more for myself, more so than I do now, but I'm not as big of a reader outside of school and the classroom. I want to get more into audio books and see if I can boost my interest. Just like you, I love reading to the children and the excitement of it, so it certainly wouldn't hurt to improve reading for myself, as well!

Chantia wrote: "Monique wrote: "Whenever I have free time I enjoy reading, during the warmer weather, on my porch. I also love to take books with me to the beach and on vacation. Right now that it about the only..."
How's your reading in the Winter?!

Chantia wrote: "Monique wrote: "Whenever I have free time I enjoy reading, during the warmer weather, on my porch. I also love to take books with me to the beach and on vacation. Right now that it about the only..."
Chantia, I love the idea of reading on top of a mountain! I have to try that!

Chantia wrote: "I enjoy reading by the pool. In bed doesn't work for me; I always fall asleep. By the pool is so relaxing and I get to tan while doing it! Multitasking at it's finest.
Ironically, I also enjoy..."
Planes are a great place to read. It's a great way to pass the time.

Seon wrote: "I like to read in my bed and I usually lay down on my stomach to read. However, it's really difficult for me to find the books that I like or the ones that I want to read."
I can relate, Seon. I am also in the process of finding more books that I like so that I can just read more period, no matter what it is.

Monique wrote: "Whenever I have free time I enjoy reading, during the warmer weather, on my porch. I also love to take books with me to the beach and on vacation. Right now that it about the only time I have to ..."
How's your reading in the Winter?!

Michele wrote: "Actually, I have to be honest here. I really don't enjoy reading very much because of all the readings that I have to do for school. I feel like because I have so many text books to read the joy of..."
I totally agree! I don't read as much as I should anyway, but having to read textbooks makes me want to push every other book aside until after graduation. I'm sure we have the full capability to retain knowledge from the textbooks and books for entertainment, but that would be very time-consuming.

Dr. Laura wrote: "My favorite "ideal" place to read is sitting outside on the porch at the end of the day with my dog Canyon under my chair. I enjoy hearing everything from the sounds of nature to cars driving by in..."
Oh wow, I find it amazing that so many people in this group prefer noise while reading! I need dead silence. I really like the idea that you give behind it. Do you feel that the escape is conscious or subconscious, which allows you to be amongst the noise?

Jazmin wrote: "I enjoy reading in by bedroom all snuggle up under my covers. I also like listening to music play on the background while reading. I like to read in by room because my sisters bother me less while ..."
Another noise lover. Haha.

Michele wrote: "I am so glad that someone understands. It's really hard to get pleasure reading in with so much school work. I think the last book I read for pleasure was Waiting to Exhale by Toni Morrison."
Wow, Michele, that's an old book! Hopefully when school ends, you'll have time to catch up! :)

Tymia wrote: "I enjoy reading when I'm stressed or busy. it's weird. If I have a few minutes to spare I crack open a book and it kinda relieved the stress. It doesn't matter where, in the car, bed, waiting ro..."
I think it's cool that you do that, and it means that you are using every bit of your time productively. That's always great!

Look at all of these readers! I appreciate how you've each inspired peers to consider where they're reading, what they're reading, and noise Vs silence when they're reading. I believe it's important to know what works for you, and I believe it's smart to try out new strategies (you never know what might work). Keep in mind that the interests and needs expressed here may also reflect the interests and needs of students within your classrooms --- everyone is different but I see some common ground. Happy reading!