what’s your perfect reading day?

ruminating on mine in the midst of chaos

The seed of this essay was planted during a morning journaling session, where I attempted to shift my focus from the chaos of everyday life and imagine a day solely for myself, where the only goal was to rest and fully recharge, with a few magical liberties taken. I highly recommend using this title as a journaling prompt. If you can, I also recommend blocking a day on your calendar for a bookcation.

My alarm clock nudges me awake, slowly glowing brighter and the lilting melody of the flute filling the air. I swallow my thyroid medication and wash it down with the tumbler of water sitting on my nightstand, and snooze for another 30 minutes before a piping hot latte is placed on my nightstand. The scent of espresso and milk has me sitting up in bed, and reaching for my Kindle as I slowly sip the coffee.

I shift my position on occasion, switching from sitting up in bed (a lumbar pillow placed behind my lower back) to lying down on my side, the arm of my glasses slightly squished on the side of my face, while I tap through the book. When I can no longer find a comfortable position, I get out of bed and slip into leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, and go to the bathroom for my morning rituals.

I pad to the kitchen and munch on toasted sourdough, generously slathered with butter and raspberry jam, along with a second cup of coffee. I slip in my headphones and pick my book up where I’d left off with the narrator’s voice filling my ears. I lose myself in the trees, breathing in the fresh mix of last night’s rain and the fresh air from the trees.

I’d reach home just as the rain began to fall again, feeling the slightest twinge in my feet and legs that usually follow a satisfyingly long walk. I tuck into a hearty stew, rich and seasoned with fresh rosemary and thyme. I alternate my spoonfuls of stew with indelicate bites of chili cheese toast and sips of Pinot noir, tapping through my Kindle that’s propped up against my obnoxiously large tumbler, filled with sparkling water.