Since I was a kid, I’ve been looking for the perfect way to read in bed. The ideal position would involve no sustained muscle effort, so I could just let my eyes drift shut as I read, without the book falling shut or my hand slipping or anything. One way is to sit up against something and hold the book on your lap, but that’s not great for falling asleep. So I usually end up reading on my side.
The problem is, you have to hold the book to see both pages, and in either case, you’re using some muscles to hold it where it is.
This has worked for most of my life, but it’s still not that ultimate relaxation.
However, I recently got a Kindle. I was intending to use it mainly as a mobile web browser, but I’ve surprised myself by using it to read an awful lot. And, with apologies to all the bibliophiles out there, I find the ergonomics better than a paperback. When snacking and reading, I can lay it flat on a table without the use of a book weight to hold it opened, and when lying in bed, I don’t have to keep moving it to read.
But it’s not perfect. There’s no way to hold it with a finger on the ‘next page’ buttons that doesn’t require a few muscles to hold it upright:
Either I work to hold my hand off the bed, or I awkwardly curl my fingers around it. Either way, it tips over if I relax my arm, even if it’s leaning against a pillow, and I’m startled awake by this:
I started to wonder if I could do even better. I got out of bed one night, went to the closet, and got a steel coat hanger and some pliers. After a few minutes of twisting, I created this:
First of all, it holds the Kindle upright …
And second, it lets me lie there motionless, and turn the pages with just a tiny twitch of my thumb:
Finally, after decades of reading in bed, I have reached that stage of perfect relaxation.
you are a god
a god of ergonomics
“Since I was a kid, I’ve been looking for the perfect way to read in bed. The ideal position would involve no sustained muscle effort, so I could just let my eyes drift shut as I read, without the book falling shut or my hand slipping or anything. ”
ME TOO!!!
that’s one of the reasons I LOVE xkcd, it’s a copy of… ME!
Odd Girls and Twilight lovers, nice choice ;D
Where can I buy one?
You’re a legend. Straight up.
The “reading in bed” thing is the only reason i would ever own a kindle, and this little mod just made Amazon a high contender for the receiver of my next wage packet.
Erganomically brilliant! I love reading in bed, and you’re right, it’s hard to get comfy! You should submit this idea to MAKE magazine, I’m sure they’d be interested!
Oh my God!
I didn’t think anybody else had this problem of reading in bed! I counted 34 here before I gave up.
I think comedians (and apparently nerdy blogger) are just people who say things that most people think are uncommon and out of context, but actually make a large number of people sigh with relief.
I have had this problem for SO LONG. Thank you, thank you a thousand times, for the solution.
(I would write the 1000x in more complex terms, but I am a scummy arts-degree man who gave up on his scientific heritage. I am ashamed
)
There’s also the ‘bed spectacles’ that use a prism to let you watch tv or read lying down. As seen in ‘The Bucket List’
I pride myself with having the body of an avid reader, but the comfort level would be worth giving it up. Awesome!
I think I will start reading in bed again.
[...] Tags: diy, kindle, read in bed, stand, wire hanger, xkcd Having been inspired by xkcd’s The Pursuit of Laziness, I can now truly enjoy reading in bed. This is something that has haunted me for years. I remember [...]
Ah laziness, the mother of all invention.
can forward you a lot of my cervical spondylosis patients with bed reading complains……..
you will drive physiotherapists jobless…
be my guest!
Waterbeds are one of the best surfaces for sleeping on. Great for aching joints, bones and muscles.
This idea is also done very well by http://www.eKradle.com. You can use it in bed or a chair – positions the eReader perfectly.
now what you need is a 3g modem wired directly to your brain and tuned into the Whispernet – you might even be able to turn the pages with a thought…
Its good to find a source of information that can be useful, especially when looking for something to occupy me, thankyou for your help and being of assistance, there’s a good wealth of information here.
you, sir, are awesome