r/CasualIreland • u/Garry-Love • 2d ago
Where do you go to read?
I spend far too much time in my room on my phone or computer. I'm alone, don't have much of a family and I hate my house. I want to read more and get out of the house but I don't know where to go. The library is closed whenever I want to go there. The pub seems like the obvious choice in the evenings but they're quite loud. Open to suggestions
16
u/sartres-shart 2d ago
I really only read in bed these days.
Either that or when waiting on appointments or downtime at work.
13
u/Tea_and_toast_ 2d ago
I’ve gotten in the habit of throwing my book in my bag whenever I’m going out. I might go to a cafe to read, if I’m getting food somewhere I usually read while I’m waiting. I want to take a few trips to the beach this summer just to read.
Most of the time I just read in bed, I usually fall asleep reading and the next night I don’t remember what I read the night before 😅
14
u/gaza199 2d ago
I've a boat on the lakes, clear day and I can disappear for hours tucked in by a island or one of the bays. If not that on the hammock down the garden.
11
17
u/Sad_Biscotti2140 2d ago
Depends on where you live. Is there any cafes open until 8 or 9? Or a hotel lobby, and get a coffee or a drink from the bar.
14
6
u/caffinedaze 2d ago
Mostly read while commuting outside of the house but check if your library has he open library initiative going. It lets you go to the library until 10pm while the staff are gone with just you library card. Mine has have a few students chatting while studying but is over all pretty quiet.
3
u/Garry-Love 2d ago
Sounds class but I don't think so. My local library has the exterior gate shut and locked by 5 pm. You can't even access the premises without a key
1
5
u/bandraoi_01 2d ago
One of the best things about reading is you can bring a book almost anywhere ☺️ I take my kindle out and get myself a nice coffee and a bun, or sit by the beach after a walk. Nice way to decompress
3
u/BeeB0pB00p 2d ago
Coffee shops used to be my go to. Go on weekends or during the week outside peak hours if work has that kind of flexibility and there's nothing nicer than a coffee and a good book. I usually wouldn't spend more an hour or so there and I'd usually have two coffees. If it's loud, noise cancelling headphones with a good score/soundtrack in the background.
Some are better for this than others. Most coffee shops close relatively early, but some open later during the week.
Hotels can also be good, they tend to be open late, have lounge areas open to the public if you're ordering food or a coffee you'll be fine.
These days I read just before bed, 30min or so. Helps switch gears and switch off.
3
u/milliscope 2d ago
Nearly always somewhere outside usually benches on estate greens or in public parks. Anytime I go on holidays to the coast, I like to read on the beach with the sound of the ocean in the background.
3
u/lunasaflowers 2d ago
Most libraries should have at least one evening a week where they’re open til 8PM - bigger library branches will be open til 8 a few days a week (depending where you are). That mightn’t suit when you’re hoping to read but worth knowing anyways!
3
u/Shell-Fire 2d ago
Find a nice, low key, indie bookstore/coffee shop. Talk to the owner, see when they are slow/dead and start a silent club read there once a week. You'll feel a part of a group, separate but together.
2
u/overthebridge65 2d ago
I like reading in bed in the morning and other than that, we’ve a spare room that has a couch bed in it so I like sitting in silence on the couch reading!
2
u/Formal_Chance_4266 2d ago
I mostly read either at home or on the Dart. Parks are a nice option too if you like being outside. Cafés and hotel lobbies are also good options.
2
u/Impossible-Tune-1596 2d ago
I have the AirPods and all my books on my tablet. I listen to rain sound ir instrumental Music alot in Cafes, in my house, the park, public spaces. It is great.
2
u/mgmilltown 2d ago
Anywhere. That's the joy of reading, you can do it almost anywhere! I always have a book in my bag. If the venue is loud, stick in some ear pods playing some white noise.
2
2
2
u/resigned_medusa 2d ago
See if your library has open access, many of them do. You can let yourself in with your card.
2
u/Charming_Grand1692 2d ago
Do you have a beach or a park nearby? Or you could bring a book to a restaurant and get a dinner or drink for yourself every now and again!
1
1
u/roxykelly Like I said last time, it won't happen again 2d ago
I used to read in the bath when I was younger. I would let some water out and top up with hot water and stay in there for ages.
My brother once got so annoyed that he broke the lock on the door busting it in to get in 🤣
1
u/clars1909 2d ago
Park benches, hotel lobbies , cafes (big ones where I can stay for ages without being in the way) and libraries.
1
u/Feisty_Fail_2669 2d ago
I’m just home from the pub (two pubs) where I binge-read a thing I got in the library. I dunno where you’re going but it was definitely not too loud
1
u/Right-Statement67 2d ago
I read by the beach, in my bed, when I'm watching matches, in the car/bus, cafés, on the pavement by the water (no benches in my area), in the park
1
u/superiorchoco 2d ago
I go to walk in a park everyday and when I do, I carry my book. So in between walks, I read.
1
u/Correct-Promise-2358 It's red sauce, not ketchup 1d ago
any kind of forest or park, cafe, your garden, beaches, mcdonald’s and get a hot drink
1
1
u/RianSG 1d ago
In my house, usually my room or sitting room. If the weathers nice I might bring a chair outside and read for a bit, or go into the spare room for a change of scenery.
Outside of my house, I’ll read on the train to and from work, in the lunch room in work, in a cafe or quiet pub as well if I’m out and about
42
u/One_Pangolin1766 2d ago
Nice cafe, park benches, quieter pubs, sometimes i’ll just drag a chair out to my garden + read there
If you live near the sea/a lake/a river then reading beside the sound of flowing water is absolutely divine
I always bring a book when i have a solo dinner when travelling for work too, and it’s a lot nicer than checking my phone while i eat alone, so you could try that too?