Book, Tea, & Candle:

Creating a cozy reading experience

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”-C.S. Lewis

There's nothing quite like getting lost in a book. You open the pages and find yourself swept away. Sometimes, though, it can be hard to get in the right headspace to relax after a busy week.

To help, we've put together a list of ways to improve your reading immersion. Are you ready to level up your reading experience?

Create your Reading Nook:

Not everyone has the space for a personal library lined with towering shelves and overstuffed armchairs. This shouldn't stop you from creating your own personal spot.

If you are crafty, add a chair and some lighting to a closet and decorate it to be your secret book getaway.

Pick a corner of your bedroom, office, or living room to fit a chair or beanbag into then surround it with a few things that make you happy.

If all else fails, there's always the old standby of taking a flashlight under the covers to create your own reading cave.

Things to stock your reading nook with:

Something sturdy to hold a beverage for you.
Lighting options, perhaps a small book light.
Pillows.
Art and décor that makes you happy.
Candles for ambiance. If you have a smaller reading space, consider mini-candles.
Headphones.
Music player if you don't want to bring your cellphone into the room with you.
Books! (Well, obviously) Depending on the limitations of your space, make it a shelf, multiple shelves, or even just a stack of them on a side table, but make sure they're there to silently keep you company and cheer you on.

woman reading in a chair in front of bookshelves

Sounds:

Have you ever made a playlist for a book?

Some authors now create playlists designed to sync up to your reading experience, but it is still pretty rare. Don't let this stop you from creating your own for an old favorite.

Another option is a movie soundtrack. If the book was reimagined as a feature film, the soundtrack probably isn't a one-for-one matchup, but a lot of times it will get the mood across.

Other options, of course, include just any music you enjoy or things like ambiance and nature sounds tracks, which you can find aplenty on YouTube.

If you don't prefer music (or want to enhance the music with other sounds), there's always a wood wick candle, giving you the experience of sitting beside a crackling fire even if you don't actually have a fireplace.

Smells:

Readers love the smell of old books … and new books … I guess we just like books. What if, due to space or budget concerns you're primarily an ebook reader?

Never fear! Mythologie Candles has the Book of Kells which smells like ink and old books.

You can also pair your book with a fragrance. If you are reading about an adventure in the woods, consider a woodsy candle. A cozy book that centers around a garden or tea shop? There's a candle for that! Mix and match your reading with different fragrances to enhance your experience.

Drinks and Snacks:

Pick your favorites! Or abstain. Some readers get so into it that they don't have a need for more sustenance than the words on the page. Also, if you read primarily in bed, you may not want crumbs involved. As the quote at the beginning of this article says, however, a good cup of tea (or coffee or even glass of wine) can definitely enhance the experience.

Make sure your reading space is equipped with something to hold the drink while your hands are busy with the book.

books, tea, toast