Reading Necessities | The Things I Can’t Read Without

It will come as no surprise that reading is my favorite way to pass time. I mean, what else’s a girl gotta do, right? Especially during a lockdown. Even though I can read anywhere at any time, my workspace / little home library is my preferred place to read. It has everything I need to get cozy, wrap myself in a blanket and just start reading for hours on end. Recently, I asked myself ‘what – besides the books – makes me love reading so much?’ Here’s my answer.

Obviously, my number one necessity is a good book. Would be rather hard to read without one, right? I prefer hardbacks over paperbacks, and I read a lot on my Kindle as well. If I’m reading a book for a review and I’m highlighting and taking notes, I usually switch to my iPad because I can color-code my highlights and type notes easier. I barely ever listen to an audiobook in this little reading corner, since I’m usually doing some sort of activity while listening. I don’t have the patience to sit down and just listen, hehe!

#1: A Comfortable Reading Chair

Confession: I have no idea where I used to read before I got this Ikea Strandmon chair. No. Idea! It was probably my bed or the living room couch, but it was nowhere near as comfortable as this chair. When I got this extra room in the house, my number one goal was to get one of these chairs and when I finally did, I was over the moon! It’s still my favorite piece of furniture I ever bought. Styling it was so fun, too! You’ve probably seen the knit blanket in a lot of my photos, but it’s more than just a prop. It”s just a lovely, soft blanket to wrap myself in while I’m reading – especially when it’s cold! And since I’m kinda lazy, I always put my book on my pillow when I’m reading.

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#2: Headphones & Music

I always, always, always listen to music when I’m reading. Sometimes it’ll be a playlist that suits the vibe of the book, or an author’s playlist. However, most of the time I just listen to the music I’m listening to every day. My taste in music is all over the place, though. When a playlist really clashes with the book, I’ll just find a better playlist. I hate it when it’s all quiet, or when I’m bothered by my loud neighbor or my family. It also helps me escape into a book a little bit more!

#3: Drinks & Snacks

I love a good espresso, so that’s usually what I’m drinking while reading. I used to drink a lot of tea, which I still do, but not as often anymore. I’m more of a coffee person since we own a Nespresso machine! As for snacks, home-made things are my absolute favorite. Or chocolates, which I took out for this shoot, hahah. I don’t always snack while I’m reading, but when I do, I make sure it’s something delicious.

#4: Candles

You could say I’m a little bit obsessed with scented candles. Or a lot obsessed. I have candles all over my rooms, in a whole range of different scents. My current favorite is the Ritual of Ayurveda candle from Rituals, and I always have some kind of vanilla candle from Ikea, because those are simply the best. I love burning candles while reading because; 1) they smell nice, 2) it’s calming and, 3) I love them as decor. I would never burn a candle on my actual bookshelf, but I have quite a few on display and I’ll just set them on the table whenever I want to burn them. Also, they’re in so many of my (bookish) photos!

What are your reading necessities? Anything you cannot read without?