As a relatively new writer, there are certain thresholds I’m still a little skeptical of crossing. But seeing that Rebecca (who’s an open book about everything) has been my mentor for close to six months now, I figured there’s no subject that should be left unprobed, especially when it comes to books and reading. 

Which is why this week, I'm tackling books and bowels. Meaning I’m delving into what people read nowadays while in the washroom, and if we still read in the washroom.

Let me preface this by telling you about one of my own experiences. In the mid 90s, I visited a pissoir at a friend’s house, and right there in the magazine holder (we all had these in the loo way back when, right? Whatever happened to those?) was a large book called The Great Canadian Bathroom Reader. 

I thought it was genius! I also thought, “What a wonderful gift this would make for my dad.” 

Yes, like many others who answered my call, my dad was a bathroom reader. I actually remember thinking that being “an adult reader” meant you had the privilege to read while on the John. That’s probably because, as a kid, I still had to use my hands to hold myself up.

It does seem as though reading while on the throne (I much prefer this to “John”) is viewed as a bygone activity, one that fathers took pleasure in and mothers didn’t admit to (unless they were reading while classily taking a bath.)

However, it may only look this way for a couple of reasons: The first being technology. In the age of mini screens and cell phones, newspapers, magazines, and books have been replaced by a gadget that not only contains all of the above, but also has addictive games and social media, which can occupy time in the water closet.  

In fact, while discussing this very important topic, Rebecca told me that more often than not, while chatting on the phone with friends, she takes them (or their conversation) into the washroom with her, and they do the same. 

She told me that what started as saying to her friends, or her friends saying to her, “I’m going to eat while on the phone. Hope you don't mind,” has now turned into, “I'm taking you into the washroom with me. Hope you don’t mind!” Actually, to Rebecca, talking on the phone with her (good) friends is totally normal and a “regular” occurrence! (I couldn’t help the pun, and I couldn’t bring myself to ask her if she was in the washroom when we were having this conversation.)

Many participants in my little research project admitted to reading on different devices in the washroom: cell phones, Kindles, and tablets are all popular devices taken into the can while conducting business. It’s, well, business as usual. 

The other argument is that in this age of Covids and Coronas (not the beer, the viruses), we are hyper aware of bacteria and hygiene. 

Though, some research shows (like these articles from Time Magazine and Global News) that not only are we surrounded by bacteria all over the house, bacteria from the facilities travels with us anyway. Having a book in there couldn’t be that bad for our health, as long as we wash our hands and clean the thunderbox regularly. 

So, people do still read when using the khazi. Many bring in books and other reading material with them, plus a select few still leave newspapers and magazines in their W.C. 

Most expressed that when it was a time to take a load off (pun intended), it was the perfect time to have a short break to read.

One woman even shared that she spends an hour a day in the ladies’ room because it’s the only time she gets away from her needy and screaming children (her words, not mine!). 

Another said that she only plays games on her iPhone in the washroom because whenever she’d read, it wasn’t enough to take her focus off the other business at hand, which led to complications with her bowels (this time, no pun intended).

I’m relieved (see what I did there?) to know that this is not such a taboo subject. After all, we’re all human. We all have a need to empty our bags, and if we can catch up on some good reading — or in Rebecca’s case, having a conversation — then why the hell not?!

Don’t be a pooper — share your opinion, a story, or a restroom reading recommendation here.

xo Maya B.