I guess that most writers out there are avid readers. I know I certainly am, and that doesn’t just mean I read a lot, but that I acquire books like some people acquire bread and milk, and then I read these books in various rooms of the house at various times and basically make a widespread book mess. And yes, it drives my husband quite mad.

I thought it’d be interesting to do a quick survey of the house and find out where my current reads are. Of course, there are a couple by the bed. At a minimum, I usually have two books on the go next to my bed, for reading in the evening before I go to sleep, and there are two because it depends whether I have the energy left for something heavier, more literary, or if I’m exhausted and just need something lighter.

Moving on through the house, there is always a book on the dining table near the kitchen. If my husband goes to work too early (therefore eating breakfast long before me), then that’s there to read. I nearly always manage to resist reading at the table when he’s there! Sometimes this book might move to the kitchen bench or, like now, there might be another book there entirely – that’s the one I read while I’m cooking dinner, in those pauses between stirring something.

Out in the living room, there is often a book either on the sofa or the coffee table, and that usually gets attacked during ad breaks while I’m watching TV, or occasionally when I have the chance to sit down and actually spend time devoted to reading of an afternoon (that’s rare).

And finally, there is always a book in whichever handbag I’ve used last – there to be read in a waiting room or on the train or during some kind of interruption to whatever I should be doing. See what a good girl scout I am – always prepared.

What about you? Where are your current books? Let me know in the comments – you know I’m curious.