The Most Relaxing Places To Unwind With A Book (PHOTOS)

A book -- whether in paperback or on the screen of a Kindle -- is one of the most travel-friendly forms of entertainment in existence. We read on trains and planes, in waiting rooms, and before our dates show up to the bar. Even as video games and TV shows have spread their reach to smartphones, accessible anywhere, there's something about the simplicity of a book's ease of transport that sets it apart.

At the same time, however, reading has a particular meditativeness that seems to call for an ideal setting -- a cozy reading nook with a squashy armchair, a broad hammock overlooking a quiet stretch of beach, or a favorite park bench shaded by greenery. Though we read wherever we are, often in the most distracting and unpleasant circumstances, we all have some happy reading place we retreat to when we want to really lose ourselves in a book for a few hours.

We asked our readers to show us pictures of where they read, and the answer seems to be nearly any place you could imagine; photos showed our fearless readers on mountaintops, in bubble baths, and everywhere in between. Here are some of our favorites, which are guaranteed to make you want to find a sunny new spot and crack open a good book:

Watched the sunset from the hammock this evening. #100happydays

A photo posted by Shanon Wise (@shanonwise) on May 5, 2014 at 9:40pm PDT

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What am I thankful for? I'm thankful for a sense of humor. I'm thankful to be passionate about something and not take it too seriously. Being aware that at the end of the day, nothing is as important on this phone than off. My family and friends and support. Knowing that they are there for me even when far too often my greatest desire is my alone time. Coffee, Oak Openings, a book and the simple life. All things I search for and am grateful and thankful to find. To all, A Happy Thanksgiving from NW Ohio. #jj_forum_0735

A photo posted by Eric (@hobbes2485) on Nov 11, 2013 at 8:51am PST

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A girl sitting near me at the beach was reading Gone Girl. My hair liked the cover image. #sincereflattery

A photo posted by Elliana Moore (@theellebell) on Oct 10, 2014 at 6:54pm PDT

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The Reader #books #WhereIRead #travel #reading #wanderlust #backpacking #1001square #1001people #huffpostgram #train #trainspotting #thailand

A photo posted by Ayan Villafuerte (@ayanvillafuerte) on Oct 10, 2014 at 4:18pm PDT

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Morning tea & book in bed.

A photo posted by Joanne (@jo_in_the_sky) on Oct 10, 2014 at 5:29am PDT

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#WhereIRead #books #reading

A photo posted by Aliza Sherman (@alizasherman) on Oct 10, 2014 at 2:51pm PDT

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A photo posted by @daniandz on Mar 3, 2014 at 7:43pm PDT

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Good night, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England! Reading Irvings Cider House Rules for a second time. One of my favorite writers, because he always brings humor to human tragedies #sunnypicchallenge #reading #my_365 #begins_with_r #vsco #vscocam #365_today #300_currentlyreading #nothingisordinary #johnirving #theciderhouserules

A photo posted by jasna (@mzumjot) on Oct 10, 2014 at 11:43am PDT

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My new bookmark just floated into my lap... #simplepleasures #nature

A photo posted by Jamie VanCompernolle (@jvancompernolle) on Oct 10, 2014 at 1:22pm PDT

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Ahh, Sundays! Our favorite. Great for hiking or reading - or both! Today we hiked up Brosmetind at Kvaløya and had lunch with Freud on the top. Superb, and stunningly beautiful!

A photo posted by Tromsø Bed & Books (@bedandbooks) on Oct 10, 2014 at 10:20am PDT

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@HuffPostCanada #WhereIRead #hammock #waterfront #WolfeIsland #postnightshiftreading pic.twitter.com/EFxbs3YXgJ

— Glennis Newton (@gnewtontrainor) October 28, 2014

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@HuffPostBooks The better question might be: Where DON'T I read? But the bubble bath is my fave #WhereIRead! pic.twitter.com/bscWUFVUXD

— Susan Tunis (@SusanTunis) October 27, 2014

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@HuffPostBooks this is #WhereIRead pic.twitter.com/EqWerGea5I

— Joshua W. Turnage (@JoshuaWTurnage) October 26, 2014

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