All tips and advice about reading in the bath: your special guide

It’s the one place you can genuinely get away from it all, lock the door and filter out the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The bathroom is your private sanctuary where you can truly relax, unwind, and switch off. How to read in the bathtub? We will show you the best way :) Our article will make you a real bathtub reader.

The danger of bathing in hot water always

Most of us have believed that bathing in boiling water with a few drops of eucalyptus oil could alleviate any cold or cough and soothe those overworked sore muscles; researchers, however, have proved us wrong. A hot water bath makes you so relaxed that you will want to take a nap as soon as you come out of the bath. A hot water bath during winter can cause dry skin as it removes the moisture from your skin. Bathing in hot water can turn into an addiction and your body might demand hot water even during summer. Therefore, it is better to take a warm bath instead of a hot one.

Why is bathtub reading so good for relaxing

Unlike other activities, like watching TV, browsing your phone, or even skimming through a newspaper, reading a book encourages deep thinking, where you force different parts of your brain to make connections. In turn, these connections will work faster and more efficiently, helping to keep your brain quick and active. It can also help you empathize with the world around you. By reading up on a subject you knew little about, you should demonstrate a greater understanding as you go about your everyday life. As the old saying goes, knowledge is power.

7 best accessories which make your reading in the bathtub more comfortable.

With these accessories, you can feel better about taking those quiet moments to yourself and know you don’t have to /worry about things going awry. So go, bathe well, and read on!

Luxurious bath pillow

If you enjoy spending time in a steaming bathtub, forgetting about all the hassles and stresses of your daily life, you’ll want to make the experience as comfortable as possible. This bathtub pillow supports your head and neck and relieves pressure points for the ultimate relaxation.

Electric bathtub bubble massage mat

If you want the full spa experience in your home, this bathtub bubble mat is a must. It fits into your bath and is held in place by strong suction cups – and it massages your whole body by creating millions of tiny bubbles. Perfect for all types of the tub, including freestanding bathtubs.

Bathtub caddy tray

To make the most of bath time, what you need is a bathtub tray. With one of these, you can safely take a book, electronics, and even a glass of wine with you. There is also space for a candle as well as all your bathing products. With this tray, you won’t want your bath to end.

A toilet paper holder that also holds your phone

Simple, yet genius, this otherwise basic-looking toilet paper holder has a little shelf on top that's perfect for setting your phone on. It's easy to install (just two screws) and the smooth brushed nickel finish is rust-resistant.

Waterproof Bluetooth speaker with suction cup

A shower speaker is entirely waterproof and comes on a reliable suction cup, but the coolest part about it is that you can control your songs and volume from inside the shower. It syncs up to your smartphone and has over ten hours of battery life on one single charge, plus, it’s got a built-in mic if someone calls.

Bath bombs

Bath time isn’t just about getting clean – it’s a moment to relax and unwind too. With these organic and natural bath bombs, you can make the whole experience even more luxurious to help forget about all your troubles and turn bathing into a moment of true indulgence.

9 tips on how to read in the bath

If you ever read in the tub, you know that it can be dangerous for your books! We all love to take a bath; it's the perfect way to relax...assuming you don't want to drop the book! So, here are some tips on how to enjoy a book in the bath!

Choose a book 

Get a book you're okay with getting splashes on. Don't pick your favorite first-edition gem to read in the tub! Accidents happen, so it's better to read something replaceable than something you're attached to and want to keep in pristine condition.

Pro tip: Paperbacks and magazines are always a good choice because they're cheaper than hardbacks and easy to replace.

Hold the book right

Hold it by the base between your thumb and pinky finger. Cradle the book in one hand, with 3 fingers supporting the base of the spine and your thumb and pinky splaying the pages apart. Don't hold it by the top because—even if your hands are dry—water could drip down from your arm onto the pages

Get a waterproof case for your phone, kindle, or tablet

If you're reading something on an electronic device, make sure to protect it from accidental splashes (or worse, a dip in the tub!). You can buy cases online or at most electronic stores.

Use a bath pillow

You need to position your head at a comfortable angle. Attach a bath pillow to the side of the tub you’ll be lounging against—you may need to readjust it once you’re in the tub if it’s too high or too low. The idea is to be able to hold the book without having to crane your neck uncomfortably to read

Avoid eBooks

If you insist on using an eBook then we’d recommend putting it in a sealable bag – a sandwich bag will be useful. You could always have a separate bag with a sarnie just in case you get hungry while reading in the bathtub.

Listen to an audio recording of the book

Download an audiobook app on your phone and find the book you’ve been dying to read—or, this case, hear! Use a wireless speaker (ideally, a waterproof one) and set it on a stool next to the tub.

Listen to an eBook

Definitely should have put this one as number one…saves you a whole lot of hassle.

Use an adjustable book holder for tub

A book holder wraps around the back of the book and holds the pages down on the sides (right where your thumbs would be if you were holding it from either side). They’re easy to adjust to any book and you don’t have to readjust it each time you turn a page.

Keep a dry towel handy

This will help you to wipe your hands to turn the page. Put a dry towel within reach of your tub so you can wipe your hands off or clean up any accidental splashes. Put it somewhere you can reach it easily without having to propel yourself out of the tub. The idea is to relax!

The top 10 best books to read in the bathtub

The greatest books are defined as classics for a reason. Everyone should read at least once these 10 books — some are well-known classics, others are modern giants.  All are well worth reading at least once in your life!

The Trial by Franz Kafka

“Someone must have been telling lies about Josef K…” So begins Kafka’s nightmarish tale of a man trapped in an unfathomable bureaucratic process after being arrested by two agents from an unidentified office for a crime they’re not allowed to tell him about. Foreshadowing the antisemitism of Nazi-occupied Europe, as well as the methods of the Stasi, KGB, and StB, it’s an unsettling, at times bewildering, tale with chilling resonance.

1984 by George Orwell

Although 1984 has passed us by, George Orwell’s dystopian, totalitarian world of control, fear, and lies has never been more relevant. Delve into the life of Winston Smith as he struggles with his developing human nature in a world where individuality, free will, and love are forbidden.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Published in 1925, Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby explores the decadence of the Jazz Age and one man’s introduction into a world where even those with the most indulgent lives cannot earn love.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

One of the most famous novels of all time, Pride and Prejudice detail the courtship of two opposed characters in a world where manners and courtesy are of the utmost importance.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Unforgettable and deeply influential, Anne Frank’s diary is a raw account of a young girl’s life as she hides from the Nazis. Despite her circumstances, Anne believes that people are still good at heart and that the world is full of beauty: she will change your life.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Set in Germany during 1939, The Book Thief follows Liesel as she rescues books from the tyranny of Nazi rule. Meanwhile, her family has hidden a Jewish fighter in their basement and death looks down on the family, narrating our tale. Experience bravery that is rarely found in the world, and friendship that is formed in the most unlikely of situations.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Join four sisters, each with their prominent personality, as they come of age in charming 19th Century New England. Experience their struggles and revel in their flaws, as these girls become strong women.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Recalling his own experiences of taste-testing chocolate as a schoolboy in Somerset, Roald Dahl is the master of wordplay, creating whimsical turns of phrase that have entered our lexicons. Another children's book that has become a firm favorite with people of all ages, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory carries a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed, gluttony, selfishness, and other excesses. And what better way to spend a relaxing bath than with some accompanying chocolates on the side?

Middlemarch by George Eliot

This is a richly satisfying slow burn of a novel that follows the lives and loves of the inhabitants of a small town in England through the years 1829–32. The acerbic wit and timeless truth of its observations mark this out as a work of genius; but at the time the author, Mary Anne Evans, had to turn to a male pen name to be taken seriously.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

You will need a cold, dead heart not to be moved by one of the literature’s steeliest heroines. From the institutional cruelty of her boarding school, the “small, plain” Jane Eyre becomes a governess who demands a right to think and feel. Not many love stories take in a madwoman in the attic and a spot of therapeutic disfigurement, but this one somehow carries it off with mythic aplomb.

Do you know about Reading in the Bathtub Day

Have you ever sat in a nice warm bath, and read a book? Well now might be the best time to do it! Every February 9th you can enjoy reading a book in your bathtub! Why? Because February 9th is Read in the Bathtub Day. Now you can officially read a book in the bathtub :) Read in the Bathtub Day is a holiday dedicated to taking some time for yourself. It isn’t always easy to make time in your busy schedule to read the books on your bookshelves. But it’s not too time-consuming if you’re getting clean at the same time, right? You don’t have to worry about outside noise or interruptions while you’re in the bath. You can just focus on what you’re reading for as long as you want. So fill up the tub, add some bubbles if you feel like, and relax with a good book.

Everything about reading a book in the bath

Reading in warm bath grants you a sensation of relief as you enjoy the literary world. The relaxation of the warm and maybe even scented bath could grant you an experience that would be unforgettable! Taking time out of your day to lay in a warm bath while reading is something that helps relax the mind and body, allowing you to wind down and be able to reach the level of peace that you desire. Do you read while bathing? What is your favorite book?

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