General Discussion Thread 09.14.2025

James Matthew Najera · Sunday at 7:00 AM

General Discussion Thread 09.14.2025

Hey GrayViners!

You know, it’s funny how the smallest routines can spark the biggest memories. Back when life moved a little slower, there always seemed to be something sitting within arm’s reach in the bathroom—whether it was a newspaper folded to the crossword, a magazine balanced on the edge of the tub, or a trusty catalog ready for flipping. Those little moments of quiet turned into their own kind of tradition.

So let’s have some fun with it today: What was your favorite bathroom reading material? Was it the Sunday comics? A crossword puzzle book? Maybe the Sears catalog, or even just the local paper?

Image credit: Reddit

As for me—I’ll admit, these days I can’t imagine going in without my phone. But years ago, it was all about a dog-eared Reader’s Digest… or, if nothing else was around, I’d catch myself reading the back of the shampoo bottle. Funny how habits change, but the need for a little “reading material” never does.

Now it’s your turn—what did you reach for back then? Let's hear them below!

Cheers!
Blue

hazelmay · Sunday at 10:15 AM

Fav reading was the Sunday paper. Esp the comics section

redbayqueen · Sunday at 11:13 AM

I grew up with an "outhouse". There was always a Sears catalog there....and it wasn't just for reading.

Pickles · Sunday at 3:04 PM

Newspaper or new magazine.

Hazeleyes · Sunday at 3:32 PM

Whatever book I was reading at the time.

Gayle B. · Sunday at 6:09 PM

First choice was the colored Sunday comics. My dad got to read ALL of the paper and then my older brother then I got to read it. Finally my younger brother got his chance with to read it. When he was done I used my Silly Putty to stretch it out to get the image I liked.
Second choice was the Reader’s Digest. Our grandparents gave it to dad when they were finished with it. That magazine was kept in the bathroom for quite a while until all 5 of read as much as they wanted to read. The RD is so much shorter than the one we read in the 50’s to the 70’s. Doesn’t seem worth it anymore. Good memories!

Carol * · Monday at 8:51 AM

I read the Smithsonian in the bathroom.

TriciaR · 2025-09-17T02:58:34-0400

hazelmay said:
Fav reading was the Sunday paper. Esp the comics section

Thanks for sharing that @hazelmay ! The Sunday paper really was such a treat, especially with the comics section to brighten things up. Do you remember if you had a favorite comic strip you always turned to first?

TriciaR · 2025-09-17T02:59:13-0400

redbayqueen said:
I grew up with an "outhouse". There was always a Sears catalog there....and it wasn't just for reading.

Thanks for sharing that memory @redbayqueen ! The old outhouse and Sears catalog really bring back a picture of how things used to be. Do you remember flipping through it more for the products, or did you enjoy the funny little write-ups and pictures inside?

TriciaR · 2025-09-17T02:59:51-0400

Pickles said:
Newspaper or new magazine.

Thanks for sharing that @Pickles ! A fresh newspaper or magazine always felt like a little treat in the bathroom. Did you have a particular section of the paper or type of magazine you enjoyed most?

TriciaR · 2025-09-17T03:00:27-0400

Hazeleyes said:
Whatever book I was reading at the time.

Thanks for sharing that @Hazeleyes ! Bringing in whatever book you were already reading sounds like a great way to stay hooked on the story. Do you tend to stick with one genre, or do your reading choices change depending on your mood?

TriciaR · 2025-09-17T03:01:23-0400

Gayle B. said:
First choice was the colored Sunday comics. My dad got to read ALL of the paper and then my older brother then I got to read it. Finally my younger brother got his chance with to read it. When he was done I used my Silly Putty to stretch it out to get the image I liked.
Second choice was the Reader’s Digest. Our grandparents gave it to dad when they were finished with it. That magazine was kept in the bathroom for quite a while until all 5 of read as much as they wanted to read. The RD is so much shorter than the one we read in the 50’s to the 70’s. Doesn’t seem worth it anymore. Good memories!

Thanks so much for sharing those memories @Gayle B. ! I love how you painted the picture of the Sunday comics making the rounds in your family—it sounds like such a fun tradition, especially with the Silly Putty twist at the end! And Reader’s Digest really was a staple in so many homes. Do you still have a favorite comic strip or story from those days that stands out in your memory?

TriciaR · 2025-09-17T03:01:56-0400

Carol * said:
I read the Smithsonian in the bathroom.

Thanks for sharing that @Carol * ! The Smithsonian is such an interesting choice—so full of history, culture, and science. Was there a particular type of article or topic in it that you found yourself drawn to most?

Hazeleyes · 2025-09-17T04:56:17-0400

TriciaR said:
Thanks for sharing that @Hazeleyes ! Bringing in whatever book you were already reading sounds like a great way to stay hooked on the story. Do you tend to stick with one genre, or do your reading choices change depending on your mood?

I mostly read romance novels but I do like fiction , novels and mystery as well. I had all the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy mystery books that I read.

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