Category: Top tips

How to Create the Perfect Reading Nook.

Posted on by Books and Sweets
perfect reading nook

How to Create the Perfect Reading Nook.

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Books and Sweets

With the announcement of a third lockdown across the UK, we will all be spending a lot more time indoors. While this is tough news for everybody, one of the plus points is that you have plenty of time on your hands to enjoy a whole stack of good books. All you need now is the perfect place to enjoy them. So, in this blog post, we are going to suggest a few ways that you can create a beautiful reading nook.

Choose Your Space

You may have plenty of space at home, but even if you don’t, a reading nook only requires a small corner. Ideally, it will be in a quieter part of the house where you can really enjoy your book without distraction.

Put in Some Soft Furnishings

First, you need the perfect chair that invites you to sink into it. You can then add some cushions and pillows for added softness. During the colder months of the year, a fluffy blanket or throw will ensure that you stay nice and toasty.

Add in a Bookshelf

Not only does a bookshelf have a practical function, but it also gives you the chance to see all your books on display and get excited about the ones that you still have left to read. One of our surprise books would make the perfect addition to your shelf.

Get the Lighting Right

There is nothing that can ruin a reading nook more than bad lighting. If you can put your reading nook next to a widow, this gives you the opportunity to enjoy the natural light during the daytime. A reading lamp is the obvious choice for when it gets darker, but you could also light a candle or two. Choose a scented variety for an even greater sense of relaxation.

Bring in the Natural World

Your reading nook should be a place where you can relax and unwind. A greater connection to the outside world is a proven way of boosting your mood and reducing stress. So, why not add a houseplant or two? Just make sure that you remember to water them!

Put in a Bluetooth Speaker

Some people like to listen to their favourite tunes while reading. Others prefer calming ocean noises. A Bluetooth speaker is a convenient way of giving your reading nook audio access. You could even start listening to audiobooks.

By putting a combination of these ideas into practice, you can create the perfect reading nook and a calming environment to escape the stresses of the modern world.

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Best Christmas Gifts for Book Lovers.

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Best Christmas Gifts for Book Lovers.

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Books and Sweets

If you are looking for the perfect gift for that bookworm in your life, you have certainly come to the right place! Here are a few festive gift ideas for you to consider.

Happy Boxes

Not only do we have a selection of the best books in 2020, but we also have our wonderful happy boxes, which are bound to bring some joy into the life of that someone special in your life. Choose between our Afternoon Tea, Coffee Lovers, Rainy Day, and Zen Chi boxes. 

Bookmark

You may think that a bookmark is just there to hold a place, but there are so many stylish options out there, as well as customisable ones that turn them from items of practicality to personalised gifts.

Bookends

For that friend who has shelves that are overflowing with books, a set of bookends will help to keep this problem at bay! They need to be heavy enough to ensure that they are not going to tip over, and a non-slip bottom to prevent them from slipping off the shelf. These awesome temple bookends will do the job!

Blanket or Throw

During the cold winter nights, there is nothing like curling up in a quiet corner to read. So, a great option for your book-loving friend or family member could be a cosy blanket or throw to keep themselves nice and toasty.

Reading Lamp

Now that the nights are drawing in, a little reading lamp is a useful gift that allows your friend to keep enjoying their books long into the night. How about this lamp that doubles up as a book holder?

Typewriter

Perhaps you have a friend or family member who is a budding author themselves. How about a good old-fashioned typewriter as a Christmas gift? Sure, they may not be as practical as laptops, but they are way more stylish and will help to get the creative juices flowing! This vintage typewriter is a beautiful and affordable option.

Of course, you don’t need to go far to find a gift for that book lover in your life. Just check out our full range of surprise books right here!

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5 Ways Books Can Change Your Life.

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5 Ways Books Can Change Your Life.

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Books and Sweets

Here at Books and Sweets, it won’t surprise you to learn that we truly believe in the power of reading! Despite all the amazing advancements in technology over recent years, nothing can replace a good book, which is why people are turning to them more and more in these uncertain times. There is no doubt that books can change your life. Here are just some of the ways.

Develop Empathy

When you read a book, you find yourself relating to a whole host of characters from different walks of life. Rather than judging them, you are challenged to empathise with their situation and thought processes. In our tribal and polarised world, we often jump to quick conclusions about people and end up even more entrenched in our positions. Reading helps you to put these prejudices to one side and rediscover a sense of common humanity.

Increase Knowledge

No matter what type of books you like to read, you increase your knowledge. In non-fiction and true stories, you learn about real-life events that give you a better understanding of the world. In fiction, you are transported into different lives, alternate universes, and moments in history. Education comes in all sorts of forms, but books are always the starting point.

Provide Happiness

For many people, the simple joy of reading is more than enough to be life-altering. Whatever difficult situation you are going through in life, a good book is always there to provide solace. Reading can offer a sort of escapism that is difficult to find elsewhere, which has been needed in 2020 like never before. So many people are turning to books to help get them through these challenging times.

Challenge Thinking

If you are surrounded by the same sort of people, it is very easy to think a certain way without it ever being challenged. In our divided world, it is more important than ever to see the world from a range of perspectives. We need to continually challenge our way of thinking and not get stuck in a rut. Reading gives you the opportunity to encounter people in different life situations. Each book that you finish provides an opportunity for personal growth.

Calm Mind

We live in a world in which we are constantly bombarded with information. When you are reading a book, you don’t have to be in a rush. You can take your time and enjoy every last word. This opportunity to slow down and simply enjoy what you are doing is vital to our mental health and can end up being beneficial to so many other areas of your life as well.

Has reading changed your life? Tell us about those life-altering books and experiences below. We’d love to hear from you! 

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How Reading Can Boost Your Mental Health.

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How Reading Can Boost Your Mental Health.

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Books and Sweets

Mental health has been in the news a lot over recent years, and many people are realising that it is just as important as physical health and seeking ways that they can look after their own mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that reading a good book is a great way of improving your mental health. At Books & Sweets, this is certainly a view that we endorse! 2020 has been a crazy year for us all. More and more people are turning to books to offer some classic escapism and respite from the world. In fact, publishers are announcing higher sales than they have seen in years. So, here are a few of the reasons why reading is so good for your mental health.

Develop Connections

Many people feel cut off from their fellow humans these days. When you read a book, you develop a close connection with the characters, and while this may not replace face-to-face human interaction, it can provide an incredible tonic to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Also, when you develop a connection with a fictional character, this can help you to understand different types of people and form stronger real-life connections as a result.

Relax and Unwind

Reading is an activity that people turn to when they want to relax and escape from the stresses of the modern world. And there is no doubt that it works. A University of Sussex study found that reading reduces stress levels by as much as 68%! When you read a book, you escape your own life for a little while. Suddenly, you can be anywhere in the world, or you can inhabit a different reality entirely. When you return to your daily life, you do so feeling calmer and less overwhelmed.

Improve Mental Flexibility

Reading fiction grants you access to the minds of characters who are likely to be entirely different to yourself, and you are often challenged to find empathy, compassion, and understanding with them. While you may not always agree with the characters in the story, you are still being challenged to understand a viewpoint that is different from your own.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness has become incredibly popular in recent years. Essentially, this means existing in the present rather than being consumed by the worries or regrets of the past or future. When you are engrossed in a book, you exist only in the world of the characters and story, and any anxious or depressing thoughts simply melt away.

These are just four of the reasons why reading can be so beneficial to your mental health. If you would like to treat yourself or a loved one to a new book, we have the perfect selection of surprise books available right here.

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