Tales by the Tide

There’s something quietly special about the rituals we build around reading - the way we prepare the space, the little comforts that help us sink into a story.

For me, it usually starts by settling into the window seat, where I can look out at the sea and let the sound of the breeze or distant gulls keep me company. I’ve claimed the right-hand corner of the sofa too - soft cushions, a light blanket even in summer, and a stack of books within easy reach.

July reading has a rhythm all of its own. The light lingers longer, and I find myself reaching for cooler drinks - elderflower cordial or peach iced tea - and letting the windows stay open late. My reading basket lives just under the coffee table, with my current book, a notebook for quotes, and the slightly-too-nice pen I save for favourite lines.

Sometimes I read cross-legged on the floor with my back to the bookcase, half browsing, half sunk into something already familiar. Other times, it's in bed with a book propped against my knees and the day winding down outside the sash windows.

No matter the time or place, there's always a kind of pause around reading - like the world lets out a breath and lets me in.

Would love to know:
Where do you like to read?
Do you have a favourite drink, chair, or time of day?

Let’s share the small, sacred details of our reading lives. 🌿