Top 5 Tuesday || Reading Refreshments

Two T5T topics together are better than one, right?

Since I missed last week’s Top 5 Tuesday, which was all about snacks, and since this week is about the best drinks to have on hand during reading hours, why not combine them into one? Is this because I’m very picky about what I consume? Perhaps. And is it also because I can’t believe I missed last week? Maybe. But reading refreshments are important to have on hand, so we’re doing it anyway!

And as ever, shoutout to Meeghan @ Meeghan Reads for running T5T (and tolerating my entirely unpredictable approach to actually completing the topics assigned)!

Goldfish Crackers

The snack that smiles back will forever top this list. It’s the crunchy little king of my snack world, and I will not relent. Cheese, salt, crunchy crackery goodness? Honestly, if I’m not careful, it’s far too easy to plow through one of those gallon containers all by myself. Far and away my snack of choice.

Popcorn

Popcorn holds its own, though, even against classic contenders like goldfish! It’s warm and buttery and fantastic, and I prefer it when I’m reading a physical book that’s easier to prop up without glare on a screen or something. That way, I can keep reading without smudging things in butter. One hand is for turning pages, and the other is for snacking. Trust me, I have this method down to a science!

Pretzels

By now, you’ve probably realized there’s a pattern here. Salty snacks are just dominating the playing field, and show no signs of letting up! Pretzels are here to continue the trend, too. I’ll eat almost any kind of pretzel, but I have a soft spot in my heart for those sourdough pretzel nuggets, and the braided butter twists that only some brands make. Superior salt and crunch, and also very easy to eat one handed when you have to focus on the intense scene you’re reading!

Lemon Water

SURPRISE, it’s not another crunchable! See, I can be healthy now and again? (Just occasionally, though. My reading refreshments of choice lean overwhelmingly towards junk food. Oops.)

Jokes aside, this is honestly a daily staple. Nine times out of ten, you can find me with a tall glass of cold water with fresh lemon. Or with my Yeti tumbler full of it too, I guess. That thing stays cold! No matter the vessel, though, it’s usually close at hand. If I don’t have it nearby, I tend to forget to stay hydrated, especially since plain old water in my area isn’t exactly amazing. A little lemon goes a long way, though, and always feels fresh!

Milkshakes

And, we’re back to the not so healthy side of things, with zero shame attached. There is no universe in which I turn down a milkshake while reading. By extension, ice cream kind of counts, but it doesn’t fit the “easy to turn pages with one hand, eat with the other” rule, since it’s smarter to hang onto the bowl instead of accidentally flinging ice cream around. So, milkshake! Hands free with a side table and a straw, or one-handed if you don’t mind letting one hand get really cold. Plus, flavor combos are pretty much endless, and it’s perfect for beating the summer heat!

Of all my favorite reading refreshments, I suppose this one takes the most work to acquire, but you know what? Worth it.

There you have it! All the best munchies and crunchies to supplement the reading experience. Do you and I share any favorites? What kind of snacks do you find ideal when you pick up a book? Let’s chat!