What Are The Best Places To Read A Book Quietly?

Question

After my toddler's birthday party, I need a silent reading nook. Libraries get busy, and cafes have chatter. Any hidden spots for serious novel immersion?

Gicela Bonotan Go · Answer

I’ve found public libraries to be the best place to read so far – they’re a space for quiet and there’s often a special area for reading. Larger parks also often have quite secluded areas to read in – often early in the morning when fewer people are around. Then there’s museums – I found a particularly quiet space in a city museum where I read ‘Naked Pages’ – a thriller where a man uncovers a conspiracy through decoding artworks. The space really added to the tense atmosphere of the book.

Audrey · Answer

A hammock slung between two trees in a peaceful backyard is, for me, the ultimate reading destination. The gentle sway from side to side and the dappled light from above is a very meditative experience. I’m also rather keen on reading in bathtubs, despite this possibly being a bit strange. Adding a bath tray, some Epsom salts and a good book makes for the perfect way to unwind. And then there are the dedicated reading chairs by fireplaces – so quintessentially classic novel for winter months.

Many libraries have small individual armchairs in cozy nooks in their local libraries. If you have a botanical garden near where you live then the greenhouses and outside seating areas under trees with shaded benches are perfect for getting lost in a book. The best reading spot is one that has been chosen with your reading needs in mind.

Wyatt · Answer

I think the best places to read are unknown to most people. I’ve always associated a quiet beach with early morning or late afternoon with reading. The natural light is amazing and the vast space of the ocean makes me think a lot. I also think reading on a train is amazing. Most of the time people read on trains during rush hours, but I find reading on off-peak hours very mesmerizing. The motion of the train and the scenery outside the windows make reading effortless.

A reading spot at home that I like to go to is my closet turned reading nook. It’s got fairy lights all over the place and a huge pile of pillows to lounge on. It’s a funny spot for reading but somehow it makes for the perfect calm and cozy space. Other people might find empty university lecture halls or silent public gardens with little to no foot traffic to be good reading spots. I say experiment until you find the perfect spot where you can be and no one else is.

Jack · Answer

For someone like myself who loves to get lost in a book, libraries are the ideal place to go to for some quiet time. These are peaceful environments where one can read without disturbance, with hushed tones, musty smells, and people deeply engrossed in their own books. A cozy corner of a local coffee shop outside of peak hours is also a fantastic alternative as the sounds of the coffee machines and the occasional conversation form a soothing background white noise.

The park or even a secluded bench outdoors is a wonderful setting for a book and for outdoor lovers this could be early in the morning when all is quiet and the world is just waking up. Home is also a great place to curl up with a book and this could be a well-lit nook by the window with a soft blanket and a cup of tea for example. Of course the distractions of the outside world must fade into the background but when they do, they are perfect. The quiet of a bookshop with reading corners is also wonderful and often these can be found in independent stores and have a certain character that larger chain stores cannot replicate.

Tyler · Answer

I like to read in bed before I go to sleep. The soft pillows and warm blankets make it the most comfortable place to read. That’s why I also like to read in the passenger seat of a car on a long trip. Not only do you get to sit back and relax while someone else drives, but the motion of the car and the scenery outside make great page turners. I like to read on the floor of my balcony, too. It’s a change of scenery from reading in the same old spot and on days when it’s raining lightly, the sound of the drops on the roof adds a soothing rhythm to whatever I’m reading. Most of the time, though, I like to read in simple settings: a quiet kitchen table with a fresh pot of coffee, for example.

Mitzy Avila · Answer

A friend of mine is one of those people who gets a lot of work done in the laundromat at night. It’s very noisy, of course — washers and dryers going thump whirr THUMP WHIRR — but in a very rhythmic way, so you can easily tune it out and focus on your book. And by the time you’re done with a cycle, you’ve read for as long as you wanted to, and you’ve got clean clothes. It’s very utilitarian, but very peaceful too, which is weird, I know. (The laundromat is all stark fluorescent lights, so it’s not exactly a romantic space or anything.) But it’s a very work-like space, which is what makes it so great for her — in late hours of the night, it’s transformed into a sort of private study. I can understand that, even if I don’t quite get it myself.

Cecilia Fernando · Answer

The large furniture stores with fancy room displays also have quiet cozy corners to their stores. These are set up to enable customers to imagine themselves sitting on that couch to see how they would look with that furniture in their home. Look for a display reading nook or a model bedroom that is off to itself in a less traveled part of the store. These areas are set up to look cozy and are softly lit. The carpet in these areas is plush to absorb any sound so you can read quietly in these areas without disturbing others. The store is also temperature controlled so it is nice and cool in the summer and warm in the winter. During the weekdays the store is generally empty so unless there is a lot of foot traffic from a nearby office, this could be a great alternative to a park or library to read for a solid 90 minutes or so. Just be sure to not overstay your welcome and be prepared to have the occasional sales person ask if you need any help.

Elvis Chima · Answer

That was a really odd link. I thought it was going to be about ebook apps for quiet reading. Oh well. Good luck with all that. Your ideas are much better than mine, anyway.

Akui Wayne · Answer

A really unique reading spot would be a botanical garden or arboretum. Many of these have quiet gazebos or secluded benches with a view of a koi pond. The most important thing though is that most of these types of places are hushed so you will find people reading in peaceful silence. These types of locations have been shown to decrease stress and increase concentration and that’s even before you go into the greenhouses which are delightful in the winter months. It may cost a bit for a membership but if you go frequently it’s worth it for the tranquility and beautiful setting alone. It’s ideal for a fantasy or historical fiction book as it will transport you to another world before you even open the cover.

What Are The Best Places To Read A Book Quietly?

9 Answers

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