If there was a poll of such a thing, I think reading in bed, or a favourite armchair by a fire, or in the garden (with appropriate weather) would probably be the top choices. All of those are good but my personal favourite is reading on a train, preferably in a quiet zone and preferably when I’m travelling alone.
The train that I normally take into London to visit grandchildren is a shuttle, thus empty when I get on. It is the earliest train available allowing me to use my railcard. This a slow train, running after the rush hour and it is peaceful. Those full of hurry have long since gone. The journey takes about 40 minutes and normally I choose this rather than the speedy non stop 22 minute train, full of rush and too many people. If I get on as soon as the train arrives that gives me an extra 10 minutes reading time, about 50 minutes in all. This works well with a slim book. I have read many Penguin classics in this way: Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Albert Camus’ Exile and the Kingdom, Colette’s Gigi and A Month in the Country by J.L Carr.
These books are slim and light and with the return journey as well I am often near the end by the time my travels are over for the day. Yes I do have a kindle, a kind gift many years ago now and I do have books on my phone and on occasions I have used them. However, I still would far prefer a real book. Can’t really explain this but it is a fact.
Muriel Spark’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie travels well as does Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Others, waiting on the hall bookshelf to be chosen as I walk out of the door include: Where Angels Fear to Tread and The Celestial Omnibus, both by EM Forster.
Just think what I could get through on a journey to Edinburgh … and they would serve me coffee on the way.