How to Create the Ideal Environment for Getting Lost in a Novel
by Amanda Turner
Sitting down with a good book can be a great way to unwind after a long day. Not only can reading decrease stress, but it can also help improve memory and concentration. But in order to make your experience as beneficial and enjoyable as possible, it’s important to have a comfortable reading area where you can read in peace.
Although you may think sitting on the couch is the best way to read, giving yourself a designated area will make your journey through an amazing book even better. Keep reading to learn how to create the ideal environment for getting lost in a novel.
Pick a Designated Area
The first step to creating a nice reading environment is to pick a designated space. This could be a room, a corner, or even a reading nook. Picking a specific area and consistently using it for your reading spot will allow you to have a permanent space you know you can go to when you’re ready to get lost in a good book.
Clean and Remove Clutter
If you’ve ever tried to do something productive in a messy and unorganized space, you probably realize how difficult it can be to focus in that kind of environment. Since you want to be able to focus all of your attention on the book you’re reading, it’s important to create a reading space that is clean and organized.
Eliminate Noise and Distractions
Nothing can break your concentration faster than distracting noises. In reality, there may be many things in your home that are loud and make it difficult to concentrate. When setting up, be sure to take care of any necessary home repairs to ensure there aren’t loud noises affecting your focus. Once you’ve designated an area, make a habit of not bringing anything that may try to steal your attention, such as computers and cell phones.
Incorporate Plants
Did you know houseplants can benefit your health by removing dust and pollutants from your air? Plants are also known to help lower background noise. By adding plants to your reading area, you can improve the air quality and create a peaceful atmosphere that will make it easier for you to relax while enjoying your book. Plus, plants can also add some extra style to your space.
Choose Your Seating Carefully
Having a comfortable place to sit while you read can make a world of difference so it’s important to pick the right chair for your reading environment. When choosing a chair, think about how you like to sit when you read. If you prefer a more relaxed position, you may want to go with a chair that also comes with an ottoman. Since you also want your reading space to look as good as it feels, also think about how the chair will match your style.
With a little creativity and flexibility, you can give yourself a reading area you can enjoy for years to come. Once you have the ideal reading environment, you won’t be able to put your books down.
Amanda Turner is a freelance writer and recent graduate who is exploring her passions through writing.
(written as Meg London), the 
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and the Farmer’s Daughter ser
ies.
Frances Aylor, CFA combines her investing experience and love of travel in her financial thrillers. MONEY GRAB is the first in the series. 
Mollie Cox Bryan is the author of cookbooks, articles, essays, poetry, and fiction. An Agatha Award nominee, she lives in Central Virginia. 
Lynn Cahoon is the NYT and USA Today author of the best-selling Tourist Trap, Cat Latimer and Farm-to-Fork mystery series. 
A. Chalkley is a native Virginian. She is a writer, retired public safety communications officer, and a member of Sisters in Crime.
Barb Goffman has won the Agatha, Macavity, and Silver Falchion awards for her short stories, and is a two-time finalist for US crime-writing awards.
Libby Hall is a communication analyst with a consulting firm in Richmond, Virginia. She is also a blogger, freelance writer, wife, and mother of two.
Bradley Harper is a retired Army pathologist. Library Journal named his debut novel, A KNIFE IN THE FOG, Debut of the Month for October 2018. 
Sherry Harris is the Agatha Award-nominated author of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale mystery series and is the president of Sisters in Crime.
Maggie King penned the Hazel Rose Book Group mysteries. Her short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries and 50 Shades of Cabernet anthologies. 
Kristin Kisska is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime, and programs chair of the Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia chapter. 
Samantha McGraw has a love of mysteries and afternoon tea. She lives in Richmond with her husband and blogs at Tea Cottage Mysteries.
K.L. Murphy is a freelance writer and the author of the Detective Cancini Mysteries. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband, four children, and two dogs.
Genilee Swope Parente has written the romantic mystery The Fate Series with her mother F. Sharon Swope. The two also have several collections of short stories. 
Deb Rolfe primarily writes mystery novels. This is her first published short story. She and her husband enjoy life in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Heather Weidner is the author of the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries. She has short stories in the Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 SHADES OF CABERNET and TO FETCH A THIEF. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and Jack Russell terriers. 
Mary Burton is a New York Times, USA Today and Kindle best-selling author. She is currently working on her latest suspense. 
Mary Miley is a historian and writer with 14 nonfiction books and 5 mystery novels to her credit. 
(Kensington) is set for release in June 2017. Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching.
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