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Books don’t belong in the bathroom. Potential catastrophes aside, books are sacred and bathrooms aren’t. While some might argue, “Go! Read in your bathroom! Finish that book!” others find bathroom reading frankly blasphemous. What about germs? Are you going to lend a bathroom book to a friend? How will your friend feel about that? How will the book feel about that?
I mean, let’s face it, I doubt books like watching you do your business, especially since their covers are always pointed down. So here’s why I believe books don’t belong in the bathroom.
1. Porous Pages
A bathroom is a filthy place and you know why. Even if you’re a clean freak who constantly disinfects after every use, your bathroom is still the only place in the house where necessary activities take place. Especially when books have such porous pages that just soak up the germs from your bathroom floor, shelves, air, and your own wiping hands. It’s a pretty simple equation: germs spread to hands, hands spread germs to pages, pages incubate germs and pass them on when you pass the book on. Not to mention the multitudes of germs your books collect if they’ve been left if your bathroom for ages. Have you ever seen the flushing videos that show how much water sprays out of your toilet with each flush? And your book is just sitting there above the toilet soaking it all in.
Now, what happens when you’re ready to switch out your bathroom book? Do you put it on a shelf with all your other books so that your bathroom germs can jump from book to book? Infecting your whole shelf and eventually your whole bookcase? Think about the other poor books that have to share a shelf with that bathroom book. What did they do to you!?
So, unless you have a bookmark which reads: Please Disinfect After Each Use; you should really keep your books out of the bog.
2. If the Worst Should Happen
The worst, meaning you move to grab the toilet paper and the book slides off your lap and lands . . . with a splash. Well, first, if you’re anything like me, you’ll immediately chuck that poor book in the trash. And then you’ll have to go spend ten dollars on a new copy, and the inconvenience of having to wait to see what happens next. I mean, if you couldn’t even put the book down to wipe, I can only assume you were in the middle of the biggest cliffhanger ever.
But hey, if you’re not like me and think your book can still be saved, then you’ll spend the next four hours of your day drying said novel page by page with a blow dryer. You’ll be very concerned about the possible diseases your novel collected during its “swim”, and the pages will forever be smeared, crackling, and leave you questioning any strange discolorations.
3. No Book Wants to Watch You Take a #2
Or a #1 for that matter. They hold new and magical worlds. Don’t degrade them like that.
4. What About Your Senses?
What if you’re reading a novel and the characters have just traveled 4,000 miles on meager supplies, to finally reach a castle where a steaming feast is waiting for them? Now, rather than smell the suckling pig, the roasted chestnuts, the steaming geese and other fowl, you can only smell your own foul.
This is really a suggestion which goes along with any of the five senses an author might want you to experience—the tension-filled touches, passionate kisses, and romantic, rose covered sheets—and bathrooms tend to mess up each and every one of those evocative scenes and senses with . . . well, with the “sense” of something else. Trust me, the writer never intended their publication to go with your potty.
5. What Will Your Guests Think?
When someone needs to go, what will they think of your bathroom book collection? Will they touch your covers with their funky hands? Or will they be all grossed out? Personally, I can attest to having walked into bathrooms that have their own little personal bookshelves . . . and I could only wonder at the volume of horrors those volumes have witnessed. Needless to say, these friends are not ones I’d borrow books from. I can’t help but wonder, have all their books enjoyed some bathroom time before?
6. The Places They’ll Go
If you take your book into the bathroom with you, odds are you take it other places as well. Your book won’t just follow you to and from the bathroom, it’ll find its way into bed with you, it’ll take a nap on your face, it’ll reside on your counter while you’re cooking. Not to mention, what if it’s a library book! Imagine all the places it will go or has gone! Do you really want to be reading someone else’s bathroom book?
7. Alternatives We Know You Have
Rather than germifying your books, why not take your phone in and play an audiobook? Try reading a chapter before, and then take time reflecting on what you’ve read while you’re taking care of business. Or, if you really can’t resist reading while in there, maybe take your ereader in instead? After all, we already know you’ll probably take those phones in anyway—so I guess ebooks are fine—just please disinfect those screens every once in a while!
What do you think about taking books into the bathroom? Are you grossed out like me? Do you think books don’t belong in the bathroom? Or do you not see what the big deal is? Let us know in the comments below.
Happy reading!
gross book eww my brother reeds in the tiotit
Why would I want to spend that much time in the bathroom?!! No books don’t belong there, ick…
Eww, gross! Not in my restrooms thank you. That means you are parked for a long time and that causes lines of other patrons. If you wish to read in your home restrooms that is fine, just not in mine. E-book or real please do not read in my restrooms.
From some of these comments I wonder if people brush their teeth in the bathroom – after all, you put that toothbrush in your mouth and it’s in the bathroom. What about the makeup that is in the bathroom and then put on your face, and your hairbrush, comb whatever, – ooooh, yuk! Toilet germs aren’t all over the bathroom unless someone touches something germy (and I’m not going to say what) and then spreads it everywhere. Counters aren’t dirty in the bathroom and I sure hope my towel isn’t all germy. Clothes you wear and things you carry don’t get germy just because you have walked into the bathroom carrying them. Most germs don’t fly in the air – if they did, your bedroom that’s off the bathroom would be just as germy, not to mention the rest of the house.
I take my Kindle EVERYWHERE! I just do not lay it down as well as frequently wiping the case/ cover with sanitizing wipes.
You can read anywhere, even the bathroom. It helps relax you and take your mind off things. If you have a busy family, it might be the only place you can go for peace and quiet, so read anywhere , anytime
The bathroom is definitely NOT the place for a book.
I never read in the bathroom. The only books you will find in our bathroom are puzzle books. I don’t take electronics in the bathroom either!
I absolutely have to read or my business will not be taken care of. I have even had to grab a shampoo bottle to read before when visiting someone else. Before the cell phone or whatever device you read on, I always kept some cheesy magazine in the bathroom. I could never bring in a precious paperback, my books are sacred and have only two spots to sit in my house and the bathroom is not one of those. They belong on the bookshelf or right next to the television on a stand if not in my greedy little hands. I never put thought into those porus pages, but now I will everytime I go into another person’s bathroom. Definitely an interesting subject and I enjoyed reading this on my phone while sitting on the toilet. I’ll now wash my hands and my screen.
Alicia Freeman PA
First I’m laughing at this article, because yes I read in the bathroom.
I read until it’s time to get toilet paper, then I put my tablet down until after I wash my hands before I touch it again. I sometimes use audio. Great way to pass time.
Nope…no books in the bathroom! No magazines either. In and out quickly…not a roosting place for me. I understand everyone takes different times for the process but I prefer to read elsewhere. Nothing against those who choose to do it. Just not my routine.
When I was little the only room in the house with a lock was the bathroom so I would lock myself in the bathroom to read. I wouldn’t be caught dead without a book in the bathroom now that I’m older.
Alexa sits on my bedroom’s tv stand so I just ask her to open a book on audible so I can listen to it while on the toilet or while soaking in the tub!! Thanks for the great post!
Have Kindle will travel; wherever that is!
I take my books &/or E-reader EVERWHERE. It is with me at all times. I read at every opportunity, yes even bathroom breaks, especially if I’m in the middle of a really good section of the book. I prefer to bea passenger rather than the driver of the car but I take advantage of stop lights and parking lots. I started reading as a hobby around third grade and haven’t found anything that can match it that can educated, stimulate and entertain me. Yes, take your book with you when you go.
Oh, c’mon, of course I read in the bathroom. My books go where I go, my e-reader goes where I go. Simple cautions keep the books safe. Heck, sometimes I fake needing the bathroom just to get a quiet place to read!
We live similar lives!
I read in the bathtub, but only magazines, after dropping a paperback in the water about 20 years ago.
read the book, close the lid, flush the toilet, wash your hands,
Books definitely belong in bathrooms! I get most of my reading done there. It is good for yr body and good for yr Mind!
I have a couple of good books in my bathroom. I have trivia, like Uncle John’s Bathroom reader, and Do Penguins Have Knees?. I do wipe the covers a lot.
I don’t think books belong in the bathroom. If I’m in there doing my business I need total concentration. I can’t do #2 if I’m reading.
NEVER read in the bathroom. No paper books, no electronics. Never make a phone call from there (or text), either. Actually, once dropped a flip phone (in its case, hooked to my belt) into the toilet while just standing, “doing my thing”. Also agree with the commenter about closing the toilet lid when flushing. I always do that.
I never really put that much thought into it, but I do find the thought of reading in the bathroom distasteful. Also, I’ve heard some people say that it relaxes them, and makes the job easier. Say what?
Reading, for me, is an intense experience, involving every part of me. It’s the one thing that makes it impossible for me to multi-task when I’m doing it.
I do admit to having read in the bathtub, but then I never got out of the tub until the water was freezing cold and I looked like a prune.
Growing up we always called the bathroom “the library”. Whether we read in there or not. However, in a large family, it is often the only “alone” time you could find. If you keep a neat and clean bathroom as you should, what’s the problem? Relax, life is short. This should be the least of your problems!
I think it’s unsanitary also to take a book in the bathroom. I don’t understand what it is that takes people so long to do their business in there unless they’re constipated or have other issues. You should be in and out in less time than it would take to read a couple of pages. I’m sure that’s a couple that you could wait to read until you came out.
Yes, it’s potentially unsanitary to take a book to the toilet. Don’t see what constipation etc have to do with how long it takes one to bathe though. If one chooses to soak in a bath there is potential reading time and a bathroom should not be unsanitary.
I agree. Books do not belong in the bathroom. Absolutely.
Another reason to NOT take that book into the bathroom: If you happen to live in a home, apartment, tiny house, or any other dwelling with only one bathroom and multiple residents, it is rude, rude, RUDE to read your book there! Leave that precious volume by your chair or bed, use the bathroom then get the heck out so others can take care of business!
Why I read in the bath
Our world is full of noise. Telephones, television other people talking, that’s why I read that n the bath.
When you shut your door and switch on the fan, it all becomes white noise. The tell is mued, the phone non-existent. You roommate doesn’t dare interrupt you. In the hot summer, lying the cool ceramic of the tub sans clothing allows for comfort. Or swimming in the warmth of a nice hot tub allows you to unwind for the turmoil of the day.
No idea never dares to interrupt that one personal time. It is a time you can truly be yourself. Alone, content and without the criticism of others. The only time this is a problem is when you only have one bathroom
I don’t read in the bathroom. I always read in bed every night .
I have certain bathroom magazines that go in the garbage after.
GROSSED OUT!! Books Do not belong in the bathroom! I have never been a bathroom reader, and after reading the article above, Positive I never will be!
I’m a bathroom reader. I make sure that my book, or in my case ebooks, don’t fall in the toilet. I read everywhere. And at this point I don’t share my books anymore. I used to get paper books but since I have a little yellow lovebird named Romeo, who loves to shred paper, I only get ebooks now.
Definitely no books in the bathroom! If people realized the germs floating around in there they wouldn’t even keep their toothbrush in there!
I agree with you. I do not agree with taking anything in with me. One probably wastes less time that way.
I’ve read in the bathroom for years… first books, then ereaders.. but the last few years I can’t sit on the throne that long anymore, so I stopped unless I’m really into something on it..
Books and food don’t belong in the bathroom. Gross.
I believe that the Lord God is able to defeat any and all germs in existence and if the only place for a person to find a quiet place to seek Him is their bathroom then go there. The Lord is more important than anything or any one and where you find Him means nothing,. To find Him is everything If you place germs above Him then you are lost to Him. Shame on you.
Yes It’s Gross , discussing ,And such a waste of time, go and get out of the bathroom! Take the book to a nicer place like outside or the couch.
*meh* Books belong anywhere I want to read them (which is just about everywhere except in the car, while I am driving). I read an average (lowballing it here) of about 400 books/year, and I take about 2 dumps/day–very good ones, I might add. Losing that reading time for silly reasons is just not going to fly with me.
I don’t take books or my kindle into the bathroom. Accidents happen, but they won’t happen to my reading material. lol
I do read in the bathroom, mostly on my Kindle Fire. I have a rather large master bath, so it is private and I have a comfy chair in there just for that purpose. Sometimes it is the only place I can read to the end of a chapter uninterrupted. Folks with teenagers or young families will understand!
I do not thank you for sending me images I would prefer not to see in my head. I will continue to borrow books from the library because I cannot afford to buy them all.
I save my magazine reading for the bathroom. I try never to have liquids near my books.
I completely agree, even if it isn’t a book series that I collect. I still wouldn’t take my books into the bathroom that just seems so gross. Thanks for the great topic, maybe it will give other people a hint on what not to do.
I think reading in the bathroom is a good use of time. Especially if you’re gonna be there for awhile. I sometimes listen to books while in the tub. I can’t get enough books.
A nice hot bath, a good book, heavenly. Let the pages turn as the water in the tub cools. And of course, EVERYONE closes the lid before flushing, right?
Fat chance. I’m the only one in my family who closes the lid when I flush. My family gets mad if I forget to lift it up afterward. Like seriously. They justify that ‘oh well, germs don’t travel that far.’ Please. The bathroom REEKS afterward if the lid is left up while flushing. Like, kill me dead. Shoot me. Guess what part of that smell is? ODOR CAUSING BACTERIA. Many a time you can’t actually tell someone used the bathroom if the lid was closed when you flushed. But if it wasn’t, then you can tell a mile away… Needless to say, no books get kept there. Though once in a while, I take one with me in the tub or something. But not often. I’m too protective of my library.
I never read in the bathroom.
My books & my tablet have always gone & will always go, wherever I go! I’m was 72 years old and very healthy, so your arguments make no sense to me. If the article was written in fun, it was a smashing success! I laughed all the way through it.
When I was able to sit in the tub, I did read my paperbacks there – Very careful with them! This was the one place in a household of kids and pets that I could find peace and quiet – usually!
Nope, not when using the toilet. When relaxing in the bathtub, then ok at your own risk of dunking your book (tablet).
I am grossed out by it now!! I read on my kindle the majority of the time but I am even kinda grossed out there. I used to always read hard copies in the bathroom when my kids were at home because it was one of the only places I could be left alone but in the tub. If I was there for other business I was not alone so didn’t read. It seems like I haven’t been able to do my business alone for about 37 years. Still can’t cause now I live with my daughter and grandson so having company continues. ☹
Alone again, naturally.
You’re kidding about not being alone, right? THAT to me is gross!
I read in the bathroom all the time. Yes, sometimes on the stool and sometimes in the tub while relaxing. I am not a game player, therefore I don’t play games on my phone. Books are important, some sacred. But the knowledge and enjoyment are the reasons for their publication. I am a clean freak and I also keep an air freshener open and going 24/ 7. All this being said, I use an e-reader exclusively. It allows me to keep my 1,000 books in one place. I would rather a person read anytime and anywhere, than not read at all or read less. Most people don’t seem to read as much or at all. They are into games and texting. They seem to know fewer facts and the meaning af fewer words. I personally find that the more I read, the more books I buy. I expose myself to new authors and diffrent genres. Therefore, I think people can and should read wherever they can and want.