I would have to say I read books in a conventional manner to start with. I will have my legs crossed, or I’ll be sitting down with the book out in front of me. If the book grips me and I’m reading for a while, I have to keep changing positions. Often I end up reading while laying down on my stomach, sometimes on my back. But if I’m on my back my arms start to get sore. 😛 If I’m reading on my bed, I end up in 50 different positions, all over the bed.
Reading paperback books (especially big ones that are heavy) can actually be a bit of a hassle sometimes. So much twisting and turning. I know at the bookstore I used to work at (Borders), they sold little pillows that were designed to rest on your stomach but to keep your book open for you at the right angle. I thought it was a brilliant idea but I never bought one. Have you seen them before?
Reading from my tablet isn’t that much better. Sure, it’s lighter than certain books and I don’t have to worry about tearing pages but I can still find it a hassle if I’m reading for a while. Sometimes I’ll just lay it on my desk and I’ll rest on my hand as I read. It looks like I am bored with the novel but it’s just because my neck hurts. 😛
Do you have one of those reading pillows? How do you read books? Are paperbacks or your Kindle/Tablet easier to read from?
– Ermisenda Alvarez
I don’t like reading in bed because I can never get comfortable. The only way I can avoid cramping or my nerves pinching as much is on my stomach, with my pillow under my forearms, elbows resting on the bed. It still makes my arms go numb after a while though, but I will rotate onto my side.
I still prefer to just sit in a recliner.
I also dislike when my limbs go numb. Thanks for sharing, ibleedorange14!
I’m one of those wiggly readers that have to keep changing positions. My favorites are sitting cross legged in the recliner or laying on my stomach with a pillow under my chest. I still prefer my paper books. My least favorite position is just sitting straight up with a book at the table.
Yeah, I don’t like sitting straight up with a book at the table either. Thanks for commenting!
In the morning, I read sitting upright at a table with a desk lamp and a pillow/cushion against my back. Very proper.
In the afternoon, I do other stuff. Shopping, gymming, etc.
In the evening, after dinner, I lie on the bed (or sit, legs crossed, on a chair) with a book in one of the dozens of positions you described. It’s comfortable—but only if it’s dark outside. Otherwise, it just feels lazy.
Haha! I like how you have different reading positions depending on the time of day. Thanks for sharing, James!
I like to read on the couch with my legs curled up underneath me, but I hate when my foot goes to sleep!
Argh, I hate when my feet go to sleep too! That’s the problem when you’re reading for a long time, you are likely to send one part of you to sleep (hopefully not your mind!) 😛
I sit in bed with my back on the wall. No matter what the book, it’s the most comfortable. I really want one of those book-holders though!
I’m glad you found a position that works for you. The back against the wall keeps the back nice and straight, thats why I like it on occasion.
Drapped.over the bed with the book on the floor, my hand on the pages to prevent them moving. All the time thinking “I’ll read a little more then I’ll go to sleep”
Aw, I hope you don’t think I’m patronising you, but that is really cute. I just saw a little boy Joe, excited to keep reading while he was draped over his bed. That’s a new position I hadn’t heard of (with the book on the floor). 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Not patronising at all. Any man who doesn’t act like a little boy every now and then is not worth knowing in my opinion.
Agreed! 😀
I used to do that at my old place where we had a low bed 😀
Mom used to wonder how much my eyes suffered in that state !
I wish I had time to read! If I do catch a moment (when I’m off this computer) I too struggle trying to get comfy, have heard of the pillows – but don’t know how brilliantly they would work. Sometimes in bed – which makes me sleep better, sometimes outside, sometimes on the couch. My partner has a Kindle and he swears by it! 🙂
Yeah, I’ve heard of people converting and others religiously sticking to paperbacks. I’m somewhere in the middle. It’s an interesting world for books! Thanks for sharing!
I either sit on the couch, which the book proped up on a pillow or sitting up in bed with my back on a pillow against the headboard. I don’t own a Kindle or Nook. *gasp, I know.* lol. I have an iPad which I have a few books on, but for me personally, I enjoy going to the book store to buy books. The smell, the pages, I just enjoy holding an actual book. I have a small collection of antique books, including a dictionary from 1889, and I have to say, there is nothing better than holding one of them.
I share with you that love of going to buy a book. Flipping through the pages, the smell. I don’t get the same satisfaction buying an ebook. BUT, I love ebooks for traveling. I can take a whole library with me and never have to worry about the weight of my luggage. 😛 Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Angela!
If I’m in bed, I prop myself up in a half-sitting position and rest the book on my thighs. If I’m on a couch or something, I’m usually cross-legged.
My tablet cover has three positions you can stand it in so that makes it easier when I’m at a table.
Making it stand at the table would make it easier. I wish I could do that with my tablet. Thanks for sharing, Layla!
Depends on the book. I’ve got a huge edition of every sherlock holmes story. My fingers go numb when I lie on my back. Have to rest it on my thighs, spine between them.
That’s the bad thing about huge books. 😦 Glad you found a position that works you!
I can’t read from laptop / tablet for long time ’cause I can’t hold them in reading position for more than half hour !
with books , if i am reading in normal light , I guess i just lie on one side and then other and then on stomach and back to the routine 😀
In table lamp , I lie in my bed and read in most awkward and neck paining position !!
phew ! I already feel my neck muscles stiffen !
Haha! I saw massage places should provide readers free neck and shoulder massages. What do you say?
totally !
I actually get that every month done. The lady can never understand what I do for a living that I get that kind of pain 😛
That’s fantastic! Haha. 😛 I think book blogs should give out massage discounts to their readers. Maybe when Ermilia actually makes profit to be able to do fun giveaways, we’d give away massage vouchers. 😛
yay !! I will hope you make a lot of profit then 😀
Always in bed, lying on my side, book in one hand. It’s warm and cozy!
Oo, that is definitely a warm and cozy image. Thanks for sharing, Tanitha! 🙂
I wish I was able to read books while I’m laid down. I have to have something propping it up, I like to use my TV remote to lift it up for me. I can’t have anything behind me for my back, because I’ll just lean up to see the book. I am like this with both my Kindle and physical books.
Thanks for sharing, gotmeghan!