Central Park reading spots for balmy spring afternoons

Tired of getting shut out of Butler when looking for a reading spot? One advantage of the arrival of spring’s warm weather is the fact that students can escape from campus by heading outdoors.

At Central Park, there are a number of sites perfect for cracking open a book. Whether the readings are for school or for pleasure, here are the best literary spots you’ll find in this Manhattan oasis.

The Pond, near Central Park South between Fifth and Sixth avenues, is familiar to New Yorkers and visitors alike, but its literary renown originated with an appearance in J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye.” Holden Caulfield frequented this spot for philosophical contemplation, but students can head over with a book. The stones surrounding the Pond offer a great view of the natural landscape and are perfect for people-watching, but the area tends to get crowded on the weekends. If students need a break from the “phonies” or assigned readings, they can head over to Holden’s other Central Park hangout, the carousel, at mid-park around 64th Street.

The reading adventure can be continued with a journey back to childhood, by heading to the “Alice in Wonderland” and Hans Christian Andersen statues, which are located on the east side of the Park at 74th Street, near Fifth Avenue. The “Alice in Wonderland” statue boasts the main characters of Lewis Carroll’s classic work, as well as lines from his poem “The Jabberwocky.” Hans Christian Andersen is displayed reading a book—an appropriate role model—next to one of his own characters, the Ugly Duckling. These monuments are favorite hangouts for children too, so a bench a few feet away might be the best bet, unless students would rather abandon reading for a climb on the bronze sculptures.

For those who prefer a quieter, more secluded reading area, the north end of the Park is the place to go—especially the Burnett Fountain in the Conservatory Garden, located at 104th Street and Fifth Avenue. The fountain was named for Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of “The Secret Garden.” Unlike Mary, visitors don’t need keys to get into this garden, but can simply set up camp on a nearby bench and dive into a book. They shouldn’t get too immersed, though—the birdbath’s chirping visitors and the water lilies at the base of the fountain are not to be missed.

No literary excursion would be complete without a visit to the Shakespeare Garden, which can be found on the west side of the Park, between 79th and 80th streets. Students can get inspired by quotes from Shakespeare’s works and admire the wide variety of flora and fauna, all of which are mentioned in his plays and poems. The garden boasts a number of secluded wooden benches, perfect for reading “Hamlet,” “The Tempest,” or whatever book is assigned for class.

If students are having trouble getting motivated to take the hike downtown, they should try contemplating these words of the Bard, with special focus on the double meaning of the last word—“To be a well-favored man is the gift of fortune, but to write and read comes by nature.”