Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
I Finally Found a Book Holder That Lets Me Read and Eat on the Couch
49
items You know that annoying dance where you hold your book open with one hand, try to eat soup with the other, and the pages flip shut anyway? I ruined two paperbacks with pasta sauce before I snapped. This list is for anyone who reads on the couch, in be...
Sections
7
Hands-Free Book Holders for Couch Reading
Couch Accessories for Serious Readers
Tablet and E-Reader Stands That Actually Stay Put
Snacks That Won't Destroy Your Books
Reading Lights That Don't Wake Up Your Partner
Bookmarks and Page Holders Worth Owning
Hands-Free Book Holders for Couch Reading
Dropping my book into a bowl of cereal was the last straw. These hold your pages open so you can actually eat, drink, or just exist without claw-gripping a paperback.
Grab this if you read on the couch every night. It sits in your lap like a little beanbag and holds your paperback open at the perfect angle. I used to balance books on throw pillows and they'd slide off constantly.
The Book Seat - Book Holder and Travel Pillow - Blue
Use this when you switch between a Kindle and a real book. The multiple angles actually work, unlike those cheap plastic stands that tip over. Perfect for anyone who reads in bed propped up on pillows.
The Original Flippy Multi-Angle Soft Pillow Lap Stand
Keep this in the kitchen if you follow recipes from actual cookbooks. The page holders clip down so nothing flips shut when your hands are covered in flour. Wish I had this before I got olive oil on my favorite Julia Child book.
Metal Cookbook Holder Stand - Recipe Book Holder
Switch to this if you study at a desk and your neck is always killing you. It props books up at eye level so you stop hunching. My posture was wrecked until a friend recommended this exact stand.
MSDADA Metal Book Stand for Desk
Toss this in your bag if you read at coffee shops. It folds flat and weighs almost nothing, but it holds thick hardcovers without wobbling. For the person who reads everywhere, not just at home.
Book Holder For Reading
Snag a few of these for under five bucks. You slide it on your thumb and it keeps pages spread open with one hand. Great for reading on the subway or anywhere you can't set up a full stand.
Outus 3 Pcs Wooden Book Page Holder Thumb Bookmark
Try this if you read lying flat on your back. It clamps to your headboard or nightstand and suspends the book above you. Sounds ridiculous, looks ridiculous, works perfectly. My spouse laughed until they tried it.
Book Holder For Reading
Couch Accessories for Serious Readers
Once I solved the book-holding problem, I realized my whole couch setup needed work. Cold drinks on the floor, no good light, blankets everywhere. These fixed all of it.
Get one of these if you sit on the couch for hours and your lower back starts screaming. The arms keep you propped up and it doubles as a headrest. Way better than stacking regular pillows behind you.
Mainstays Brushed Microfiber Foam Cluster King Bed Pillow
Wear this if you read at night and your partner complains about the lamp being on. It drapes around your neck and lights just your book. I felt silly the first time, but now I use it every single evening.
OttLite LED Dual Head Desk Lamp with Bluetooth Speaker
Pair this with your book holder so your tea is always within reach. It slides over the armrest and stays put. I knocked over three mugs onto the carpet before I finally ordered one of these.
Sofa Armrest Tray with Cup Holder & Tablet Slot
Wrap up in this during winter reading sessions. It is thick enough to keep you warm but not so heavy that you overheat and fall asleep by page three. The sherpa side feels like a cloud against bare feet.
U by Bedsure Sherpa Fleece Throw Blanket for Couch
Toss your current reads in here instead of letting them pile up on the coffee table. Keeps everything in one spot. For anyone whose spouse has threatened to throw away their book stacks.
Mainstays Round Black Cotton Rope Storage Basket, Large
Use this right next to the couch if you rotate through multiple books at once. Having your TBR pile an arm's reach away is dangerous for productivity but incredible for happiness.
Mainstays Black Oak 3-Shelf Bookcase with Adjustable
Light this when you settle in for a long reading night. The vanilla smell is warm without being overwhelming. My whole living room smells like a bookstore bakery and honestly that is the vibe I want forever.
Yankee Candle, Scented Candle, 22 oz, Vanilla Cupcake
Tablet and E-Reader Stands That Actually Stay Put
Half my reading happens on a Kindle now. I was propping it against a water bottle for months like some kind of feral person. These solved that.
Use this on your nightstand or coffee table. It holds a Kindle, iPad, or even a phone at the right angle without sliding around. Aluminum build so it does not feel cheap or flimsy like the plastic ones I tried first.
Lamicall Tablet Stand Multi-Angle, Tablet Holder
Clamp this to your headboard or end table and bend the neck wherever you want. Reading in bed with zero hands is the kind of lazy luxury everyone deserves. Took me two minutes to install.
Tryone Adjustable Gooseneck Tablet Holder
Snag this for travel. It folds completely flat and fits in a jacket pocket. I bring it on flights so I can watch shows or read without holding my tablet for four hours straight.
Customer reviews for MoKo Phone Tablet Holder Stand
Try this if your Kindle Paperwhite has no case yet. It props up at multiple angles and protects the screen. I dropped my last Kindle face-down on a tile floor and this would have saved it.
Fintie, Kindle Paperwhite Case, 7 inches
Keep this on the couch for lazy Sundays. It is basically a bean bag for your tablet. Sinks into your lap and holds steady even when you shift positions. Perfect for anyone who fidgets while reading.
Tzumi OneGrip Pillow Tablet Stand, Multi-Angle Tablet
Get this if you need something sturdy for a bigger iPad. It holds heavier tablets without tipping, and the rubber grips keep everything locked in. My kids use it for homework and it survives daily abuse.
Aduro Solid Grip Adjustable Universal Tablet Stand
Pair this with a wireless keyboard and your couch becomes a workstation. But honestly I just use it to read articles and recipes. The height adjustment means no more neck craning.
UGREEN Tablet Stand Holder Adjustable Protable
Snacks That Won't Destroy Your Books
Reading and eating is my favorite combo, but greasy chip fingers and white pages do not mix. These are the snacks I reach for when I want to eat without leaving evidence on every chapter.
Keep a bag of these next to the couch. No grease, no residue, no orange dust on your pages. For anyone who learned the hard way that Cheetos and library books are a terrible combination.
Blue Diamond Almonds, Whole Natural Almonds
Grab these instead of regular cheese crackers. Way less oily residue on your fingertips. I can eat half a box and still turn pages without leaving smudges. My book club friends think I am ridiculous but they are wrong.
Annie's Homegrown Organic Cheddar Bunnies Baked
Switch to the no-shell version so you are not piling pistachio debris all over the couch cushions. One hand in the bag, eyes on the book, no mess. These disappear fast though, so buy two bags.
Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Roasted & Salted Nuts
Try this if you want popcorn without the butter slick. It is light, barely any residue, and you can eat it mindlessly through an entire thriller. Just keep a napkin nearby for the occasional kernel.
SKINNYPOP Original Popcorn, 4.4 Oz, Case of 3
Toss a couple of these on the side table for a quick snack between chapters. They crumble a little, but a quick brush-off fixes that. Way better than trying to eat a sandwich over an open book.
Nature Valley, Granola Bars, Oats 'n Honey, 12 Count
Snag a bag of these for when you want something slightly sweet while reading. The glaze keeps the dust down and your fingers stay mostly clean. I go through these during long weekend reading sessions.
Sahale Snacks Glazed Mix of Honey Almonds, 4oz Bag
Use these as your guilt-free reading snack. Crunchy, dry, no sticky residue. They satisfy that chip craving without the grease. For anyone who wants to snack through an entire novel without ruining it.
Bare Snacks, Apple Chips, Crispy Reds, 3.4 fl oz, Baked
Reading Lights That Don't Wake Up Your Partner
My spouse goes to bed at 10. I am on chapter 22 at midnight. Overhead lights were causing arguments. These solved the problem without anyone sleeping on the couch.
Clip this to your book and it lights just the pages, nothing else. My partner sleeps three feet away and has no idea I am awake reading until 1 AM. Rechargeable so you are not buying batteries constantly.
Vekkia 14 LED Rechargeable Book Light for Reading
Wear this around your neck for even lighting on both pages. Feels weird for about ten seconds, then you forget it is there. Three brightness levels so you can dim it way down in a dark room.
Customer reviews for Glocusent LED Neck Book Light
Try this if you want warm light that does not strain your eyes at night. The amber mode is easy on tired eyes and it clips onto paperbacks and hardcovers equally well. Battery lasts about a week of nightly reading.
Vekkia/LuminoLite Rechargeable Amber Book Light
Keep this on your nightstand pointed at your lap. The gooseneck bends so you can aim light exactly where you need it. I angled mine away from the bed and peace was restored in my household.
Customer reviews for LEPOWER Metal Desk Lamp
Snag this as a backup. It runs on batteries, clips on in a second, and costs almost nothing. I keep one in every room so I am never searching for a light when I want to read. Simple and reliable.
Customer reviews for Energizer Clip on Book Light
Get the two-pack and leave one on the couch, one in the bedroom. They are small enough to toss in a travel bag too. The flexible arms let you point light exactly at the page without lighting up the whole room.
GearLight, NiteOwl Rechargeable Book Light, 2 Pack, Black
Use this if screens and bright lights keep you awake. The amber tone blocks blue light so you can read until you are actually sleepy. I fall asleep faster now than when I was scrolling my phone before bed.
Giftable Amber Book Light - Blue Light Blocking
Bookmarks and Page Holders Worth Owning
I used to dog-ear pages like a monster. Receipts, gum wrappers, whatever was nearby. Finally invested in actual bookmarks and page holders and my books look so much better for it.
Grab a pack of these and scatter them around the house. They clip onto the page and never fall out, unlike every flat bookmark I have ever owned. For anyone who has lost their place one too many times.
Magnetic Bookmarks Magnet Page Markers
Keep this in the book you are currently reading. It looks beautiful hanging out of a paperback and the chain and pendant make it easy to find your spot. Makes a great gift for the reader in your life.
4 Pieces Metal Feather Bookmarks with Chain
Try this combo if you want a light and bookmark in one. Clip it to your page and it marks your spot while also lighting up the text. Two problems solved with one little gadget.
Clip Light Book Reading Lamps for Home
Use these if you lose your line while reading. They highlight the row you are on so your eyes do not wander. Perfect for dense nonfiction or anyone who reads when they are tired and keeps rereading the same paragraph.
Reading Strips, Reading Guide Strips
Snag a tin of these tiny metal clips. They point to the exact line where you stopped, not just the page. I use them for research books where I need to find specific passages again later.
Book Darts Line Markers 50 Count Tin Mixed Metals
Swap your receipt-bookmark habit for these. Real leather, feels nice, ages well, and they lay flat so they do not warp your pages. For anyone who wants their books to look like they were treated with respect.
5Pcs Leather Bookmarks For Books
Pair this with your book seat for the ultimate hands-free setup. It holds pages flat and open, especially useful for thick paperbacks that want to snap shut. I fought with a 700-page novel for days before I found this.
Anchor Book Page Holder Bookmark, Hands Free Reading
Cozy Drink Accessories for Reading Sessions
A good reading session needs a good drink. But I have spilled tea on three books and coffee on one library book I had to pay for. These keep drinks close and disasters far away.
Use this instead of an open mug on the couch. It seals completely so even if you knock it over, nothing spills. I learned this lesson after soaking a library copy of a book I had to replace for eighteen dollars.
Contigo West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug
Get this if your tea goes cold every time you get lost in a chapter. It keeps your drink at the exact temperature you set. Sounds excessive until you take a sip of perfectly warm coffee on page 200.
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2, 14 oz, White
Snag one of these weighted coasters that sit on your armrest. It holds your mug steady so you do not have to reach down to the floor. For anyone who has kicked over a glass of water in the dark during a late-night read.
Original & Patented Armrest Couch Cup Holder, Steel Grey
Try this if you want something sturdy that keeps drinks hot for hours. The MagSlider lid prevents splashes and it fits in most cup holder trays. I use mine every single evening and it still looks brand new.
Yeti Rambler MagSlider Lids and Tumblers
Keep this on the side table plugged in. Set your mug on it and your drink stays warm the entire reading session. No more microwaving the same cup of tea three times in one evening.
Mr. Coffee MWBLK - Electric Mug Warmer - Black
Bring this to the couch so you stay hydrated during long reads. The wide mouth makes it easy to add ice and the cap seals tight. I got so dehydrated during a reading binge once that I got a headache. Never again.
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle with Flex Cap Olive
Pair this with your couch setup for a spill-proof, insulated mug that actually looks good. The ceramic interior means your coffee tastes like coffee, not metal. For anyone who cares about both function and not having an ugly thermos on their coffee t...
Fellow 16 oz Carter Bundle (3 in 1) Travel Mug with Slide