IS THERE ANY bigger pleasure in life than settling in with a good book?

There might be things that are more exciting. There might be things that are more sociable. But somehow, nothing quite matches up to it.

In honour of World Book Night, we present all your favourite things about settling in with a great book:

1. Getting SO COMFORTABLE on the sofa

Flickr/Martin Cathrae

2. Opening it, and catching the smell of the pages

Flickr/me and the sysop

3. Being in your own little world

Flickr/Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography

4. … with no distractions

Flickr/spentrails

5. (Although taking quiet time with another person is nice too)

Flickr/monozygotic.com

6. It’s just great not to be at a computer, isn’t it?

7. Knowing that there’s loads of the book still to go

Flickr/Simon Cocks

8. Having FEELINGS about a character

And not having to tell anyone about them.

Flickr/moriza

9. Gently opening a new book for the first time

Flickr/Stephen Cummings

10. Or finding treasure in an old, battered one

Flickr/Matt Seppings

11. Being lent a great book by a friend

Flickr/stuartpilbrow

12. (Or finding one in their toilet.)

Flickr/erix!

13. The pleasure/sadness of finishing a book that you loved

Flickr/SanFranAnnie

14. But then knowing… there are all those books out there you’re still DYING to read.

Flickr/Emily Carlin

Happy reading!

Open thread: What book changed your life?>

Library book returned by borrower… 55 years late>