Books And Coffee - A Perfect Pairing Of Two Of Life’s Simple Pleasures
Is it possible to stop and smell the roses without leaving your house?
Or, can you follow this well-known prompt within the four walls of your favorite (or any) cafe?
In short…yes!
The well-known encouragement to “stop and smell the roses” simply reminds us to take time out of our busy lives to appreciate and enjoy the little things, and might I add, those little things truly aren’t so little.
Life is filled with beautiful moments that can easily pass us by if we don’t take the time to indulge, and while this can certainly include taking a moment to enjoy the beauties of nature (roses, for instance), it also involves slowing down to appreciate similar simple pleasures.
- A quiet, early morning walk through your neighborhood
- Listening to your favorite song
- Softly and slowly falling asleep for an afternoon nap
- Curling up with your canine or feline companion to watch a movie
- Taking a long, soothing bubble bath
- A warm hug from your spouse, partner, or friend
- Cozying up in a comfy chair with a warm blanket and a good book
- The first sip(s) of a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee (or tea)
The last two items in the above list seem to hold an extra bit of weight when it comes to slowing down and enjoying life, forming a perfect pair as many can attest.
Ah yes, books and coffee, it seems that this duo may be the actual equivalent to any outdoor beckonings of Mother Nature to take a moment to pause life’s busyness and relax…or stop and smell the roses.
So then, what is it, exactly, about books and coffee that provide the perfect backdrop for destressing?
Why do coffee and books make such a cozy, comfortable pair?
And, is there actually a bit of science behind this common couple?
Grab a perfectly brewed cup of joe, make your way to a comfy corner, and let’s find out…
Have Coffee, Will Read
Why coffee and books?
Why not soda and some light reading?
Why not pizza and countless pages?
What is it about coffee that beckons hours of reading?
What is it about a warm mug, a comfy chair, and some reading material that relaxes the mind and body, melting away life’s troubles and stresses, transforming those who partake to near otherworldly experiences bathed in serenity?
- Matthew Davis, of Politics & Prose, has described the pairing of coffee and books in the following way: “I think the special connection between coffee and books is simple: ideas. Bookstores are creative places that are full of new ideas, stories, and perspectives. Coffee is the lubricant for that creativity.”
- English novelist Anthony Trollope once said, “what on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee.”
- And, Esther Lombardi, author of Coffee And Reading… vividly (and accurately) describes the likelihood of this pairing, from aroma to anticipation, like this: “The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee sets the mood, creating a cozy ambiance that enhances the reading experience. As you take that first sip, the warm embrace of caffeine fuels your mind and prepares it for the adventures awaiting between the pages.”
From comfort to creativity, aroma and adventure, coffee does indeed set the stage for comforting moments spent enriching the mind through reading.
In a moment we’ll seek to create the perfect coffee fueled reading corner, complete with a few preferred brews best suited for various book genres, but first let’s dive a bit deeper into this timeless pairing, examining some likely reasons why books and coffee are truly a match made in heaven.
1- Routines
Routines help us function more efficiently, but they also serve to provide a measure of relaxation and calm to our days.
When we incorporate routines into our daily or weekly schedules, this reduces stress, improves sleep, makes our minds sharp, and enhances our emotional wellbeing.
But, have you ever considered that both books and coffee involve routines?
Most avid readers have a routine for reading, as such folks commonly unwind in the evenings with a good book.
Others routinely enjoy a few hours (or more) spent in cozy solitude each weekend in their favorite chair curled up with a book.
And, coffee?
I doubt I need to remind anyone here of how important our bean routines are to a satisfying morning or day.
From grinding to brewing, using a preferred roast, flavor, preparation method, mug, and just the right amount of cream and/or sugar (etc), coffee practically has an element of routine etched into each decadent and delightful sip.
It’s no wonder these ritual-laden loves work so well together!
2- Brain Boosts
It’s no secret that coffee can provide a boost of energy, but this brew also boosts your brain!
The caffeine component of coffee not only acts as a physical stimulant but a mental one as well, enhancing cognitive and psychomotor functioning.
And, this doesn’t just provide a needed jolt when you’re feeling mentally or physically exhausted; it also protects against cognitive decline, enhances memory, improves learning abilities, boosts mood, and makes you more vigilant.
Anyone see a link here?
Each of these coffee-fueled brain enhancements are part of what makes this beloved beverage such a great reading companion.
Even better, reading provides some of these same brain boosts!
When we read regularly, it improves overall brain function, boosts memory, and makes the brain operate more efficiently, especially with age.
And, like coffee, reading has also been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, and other diseases marked by cognitive decline.
3- Pausing For Purpose And Pleasure
Few activities are as singularly focused as reading.
When we watch television, listen to music, or go out with friends and family, our minds can often be pulled in many directions, allowing our attention to be divided while partaking in these activities.
But, when you open a book and engage in the world between the pages before you, there is no longer room for multi-tasking or division of thought. Instead, your mind expands solely to be immersed in these pages.
Such an experience is purposeful and commonly a source of great intellectual and even whimsical pleasure.
However, coffee lovers can attest that this magical bean seems to possess similar powers.
Of course, it’s easy to sip on a mug of coffee on the go, while conversing with friends, or in between work tasks as well, but let’s think, together, of our most pleasurable moments enjoying a cup of coffee…
For me, drinking a cup of coffee serves as my morning me-time.
I most enjoy each sip of a hot mug of coffee when I take the time to pause and purposefully breathe in the pleasant aromas, being present and indulging in each scent and sip.
Both coffee and books provide an opportunity to step away from the chaos, the endless tasks, and the stresses that often accompany life. Each provides a means for a warm pause, a comfortable and comforting break, a purposeful moment of relaxation and simple pleasure.
4- Enhances Creativity
Reading, no matter the genre, has long been revered and recommended for its ability to expand the imagination and enhance creativity.
But, did you know enjoying a cup of coffee can bring some of these same benefits?
This benefit is debated in some circles, but there’s no denying coffee’s ability to improve concentration and focus.
From here, the stimulating effects of coffee can enhance your reading endeavors, bringing to life the ideas found both in the pages of literature and in your own mind’s reserves of passion and knowledge.
So essentially, sipping on a cup of coffee while reading serves to enhance the experience, better unfolding the book’s events in the endless, imaginative realm of your mind.
5- Relaxation Station
We danced around the notion of relaxation when looking at how both books and coffee create the perfect occasion for purposeful pauses and cozy moments of simple pleasure, but the gift of relaxation truly deserves a point of its own.
Researchers have observed numerous health benefits associated with reading, and among those benefits is the ability of this activity to bring a sense of calmness, aiding in the body’s mental and physical ability to relax.
When you read, your stress levels are reduced, your heart rate slows, and muscle tension releases. (Unless you’re following in Joey Tribianni’s footsteps and reading The Shining…in which case we, like Joey, recommend stashing the book in your freezer amidst troubling passages.)
While coffee is often categorized, based on its caffeine content, as a stimulant, the act of enjoying this beverage also remarkably improves stress levels.
Coffee increases the production and release of dopamine, a hormone known for regulating mood, as well as serotonin and noradrenaline. Then, it also blocks adenosine receptors.
Combined, these can serve as natural antidepressants, the body’s stress responses are essentially blocked, and overall, it simply makes us feel happy!
So, as those happy hormones increase, we can more easily relax, forget about our stresses and worries, and enjoy the aroma and decadent tastes in our mug.
In fact, our brains eventually respond in this manner simply when we begin to smell the aromas produced when brewing a fresh cup.
A study at Seoul National University found that just smelling the aroma of coffee brought about antioxidant benefits and brain changes that resulted in feelings of calmness.
And there you have it, once again books and coffee go hand in hand to bring positive benefits while naturally creating a relaxing, stress-relieving ambiance that our bodies crave and need in this fast-paced world.
So then, how can you best enjoy this beneficial pair?
How To Best Enjoy The Perfect Pairing Of Books And Coffee
To get the most out of this calming combination of coffee and books, first you’ll need to answer a few questions.
1- The Cafe Connoisseur
Do you prefer the hustle and bustle of public places?
Would a public cafe or bookstore enhance your enjoyment of reading a few chapters (or more) while slowly sipping on your favorite brew?
If you answered yes to these questions, then getting out of your home to socialize in solitude (that’s a thing, right?), enjoying a cup of joe while reading at a cafe may provide the perfect backdrop for some relaxing, cozy, stress-reducing moments of sipping and reading pleasure.
2- Nature’s Calling
While some prefer a book backdrop that includes the hum of an espresso machine, the shuffling of feet, and the distant conversation of cafe patrons, others find the warmth of the sun, the sound of birds chirping, and a slight breeze to bring unrivaled feelings of peace.
If this describes you, consider finding a park or porch setting where you can sit on a bench, outdoor chair, or with your bottom on the ground and back against an aged tree, complete with a travel mug of coffee nearby, where you can tune out the world’s troubles in the pages of a good book.
3- Cozy Corners
Whether you enjoy either of the above settings or not, sometimes there’s truly nothing that compares to the comforts of your own home.
When seeking to curl up with a book and a mug of your best brew at home, might I recommend the following for added comfort and ambiance?
- Find an ultra-comfy spot to read. Maybe it’s your favorite chair, a preferred side of the couch, or a pile of fluffy pillows on the floor, but either way, make sure it’s cozy.
- Make sure the temperature is right. I actually prefer the temp to be a little cool when I’m settling in to read as this seems to be better suited for a hot cup of joe and a warm blanket, both of which enhance my personal ability to relax. Likewise, you know what your personal preferences are for such a setting, so make those cozy moments count by setting a relaxing stage in any way possible.
- Enhance your experience with lighting. I like to read by soft light coming from a small lamp or a few lit candles, both of which enhance the calming effect of this activity.
- Be intentional with your brew. If you’re making coffee at home, the world is your oyster! Personally, I find reading and coffee time to be a form of self-care. So, when I set aside time to intentionally do this, I take a few extra moments to make a nice, aesthetic, and tasty foam to top my coffee. After this, I may choose to dust it with a bit of cinnamon or give it a swirl of caramel or chocolate sauce for no other reason than to amplify the overall experience.
Then, aside from location, according to baristas and book aficionados, some brews are said to pair better with certain books than others, so let’s take a quick look at these suggestions as we close things out.
Note - These are simply suggestions. Obviously, the best book and brew combo is the one you enjoy, so simply peruse this list and enjoy the whimsical, sometimes stereotypical, and fun pairings. You might just find a tasty idea for your next reading-sipping relaxation hour!
- Black, drip coffee is said to be best enjoyed while reading classic literature. Pride And Prejudice, Crime And Punishment, Great Expectations, and many, many more are often described as classic works of literature. Similarly, a truly tasty, clean, healthy cup of coffee is commonly said to be best enjoyed black. It’s timeless and classic, much like time-honored, classic works of literature…a perfect pairing.
- Dark roasts are a favorite for those sitting down with a thriller, full of mystery, intrigue, and potentially some dark twists, and turns. Dark roasts are deep, bold, and robust, a characteristic librarians and baristas find to be a perfect pairing for equally bold and mysterious works of literature.
- Mochas are typically made with espresso, milk, and chocolate sauce, a trio which combines to bring sweet flavors and a feeling of kind warmth enveloping your mind and body. And, these flavors are those which produce a perfect pairing for fantasy novels according to some baristas, the two-mirroring depth, complexity, and a healthy dose of sweet fun.
- Believe it or not, complex and bold teas (such as chai) and sweet, but bold vanilla lattes are favorites amongst readers of historical fiction, creating a perfect pairing for works filled with detail and intrigue, allowing you to journey through life and time.
- Modern, yet realistic, contemporary novels are said to be a perfect pairing for cappuccinos, especially those with amplified flavors, incorporating a swirl or two of caramel sauce and allowing you to curl up and get close to the work’s relatable characters and storylines.
We hope you’ve enjoyed these light-hearted, yet tasty - because, well, coffee - pairings for some popular book genres.
But, more importantly, may you find some time for you, some time to relax while cozying up with a good book and an incredibly delicious cup of coffee, enjoying the simple pleasures afforded to each of us in life.
Check out Lifeboost Coffee Espresso.
References:
- https://www.abookgeek.com/coffee-reading-10-reasons-perfect-combination/#
- https://sprudge.com/books-and-coffee-90866.html#
- https://www.bibliophiletalks.in/book-tandems/the-perfect-pair-the-relationship-between-coffee-and-books
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01393/full
- https://www.matherhospital.org/wellness-at-mather/diseases-conditions/your-brain-on-books/#
- https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/health-benefits-of-having-a-routine#
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coffee-brain#
- https://thequeenbean.blog/2019/02/05/wellness-series-feeling-stressed-and-need-to-relax-grab-a-cup-of-coffee/#
- https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/lifestyle-wellbeing/how-to-read-more-wendy-wood#
- https://unleashedcoffee.com/can-coffee-help-stress/
- https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/reading-enhances-imagination/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053810019303435#
- https://ccplonline.org/blogs/teen/the-cozy-book-cafe-coffee-recommendations-based-on-your-favorite-genres/
- https://uulibraryblog.wordpress.com/2021/05/10/pair-your-favorite-coffee-drink-with-a-matching-book/