I read often, and every time I do I make sure it is special. I love getting lost in a book; wandering through pages, caressing every word, and allowing myself go to a new place (or a well loved older one) is exhilarating every time. Books are magical, and I let the magic consume me.
But who likes to read in a bad environment? Not this girl! Bad doesn't necessarily mean a dirty home, it can be cluttered, dark, loud, or just uncomfortable. I make sure to create a magical environment around me to accompany the magical environment I experience in every book I read.
I light candles, drink tea, take a soothing bath or shower while playing some good music (Before reading, of course). Sometimes I like to pick up my own little noise maker and make my own before opening the page.
I want to share a book I just finished reading, along with some elements that create the perfect ambiance for my reading time.
I discovered Sarah Addison Allen a few years ago with her book The Girl Who Chased the Moon and I fell in love. I fall in love with her books each and every time I read them. The best way I can describe her books is with the term Magical Realism. They all take place in beautiful southern settings with a variety of characters you will enjoy and empathize with. There is magic in every world she creates, but not in the Harry Potter kind of way. Sometimes there is a tree with a personality of its own, wallpaper that changes based on the mood of the inhabitant of the room, flowers you can eat, or a lake with a mysterious alligator. The magic is beautiful, captivating, and comes to life. Sarah Addison Allen's latest book is Lost Lake, it came out in mid January of this year. I had the book pre-ordered and gobbled it up upon delivery. Lost Lake is a story about second chances, misfits, hope, and making your own ending. It is not my favorite book by Allen, but I am in love with it just like all her others. My favorite remains being The Girl who Chased the Moon. Sarah Addison Allen
I always light a candle when I read, I love the mood the flame creates along with the scent of the candle. I am a huge fan of creating an atmosphere with scent, so I always have some kind of deliciously scented candle at the ready. A candle I just discovered is called Orchid by Salt City Candle Company. Orchid is a refreshing clean scent, with light floral undertones. Imagine the scent of a garden in the early morning right after it rains. Salt City Candle Company
Next, I always brew a cup of tea. I am an avid tea drinker and have at least twenty different types of tea in my home at any given time. A new tea I discovered is called Field of Purple Flowers by Talbott Teas. I was pleasantly surprised by Field of Purple Flowers; it is a green tea with purple cornflower. The taste is amazing, it is light but flavorful and the tea itself is GORGEOUS. I cannot get enough of it. I paid about ten dollars for my tin of tea and it came with 15 sachets. If you love tea and want to try out something new I definitely recommend this. Talbott Teas
Last, but not least, is my little coconut shell musical instrument thing. I honestly have no idea what it is called, the woman i bought it from called it a hand piano. It is a fun little thing to play, you pluck away at it and it creates some very pretty sounds that remind me of a wind chime. I love to sit with it and pluck away as I get lost in my thoughts. When I finish a book I usually contemplate it; my musical coconut keeps my hands busy and creates a relaxing atmosphere where I usually find inspiration.
I love finding magic in everything I do, and I love creating my own magical place that I can get lost in.
Pick up a good book and get lost in her pages ;) Until next time...
Razzle Me, Dazzle Me,
~Stevi
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