Do you want to hold your paperback book open, completely hands-free, and without damaging its spine? Then, stay tuned.
7 Ways to Hold a Paperback Book Open
1. Wooden or Plastic Book Stands
These book stands hold the book at an angle and keep the pages open with two arms at the bottom. Thus, you can easily adjust the inclination of the book to suit your needs. For example, you can use them while reading in bed or cooking on a kitchen countertop. They are available in plastic materials like this one:
It is relatively inexpensive. But, if you do not like plastic aesthetics, choose the wooden version of the same concept. Again, it is relatively expensive but provides value for the money.
They are not only good for paperbacks but also work perfectly for heavy-duty hardcover books. Your thick books can also fit in easily. There are a lot of other book stands on Amazon, but I have selected these only. I have considered reviews, built quality, and good customer service.
2. Floor Book stand
These are truly hands-free book stands that you can use anywhere in your home. Just roll this book stand to your bed, kitchen, bath, or in the study room. It has a sturdy base with wheels which makes moving it very easy and convenient. It has two arms at the bottom, which keep your paperback book open. Plus, it is equally good for heavy books. You can set any angle you like, and the stand will hold the book open without causing and damage to the book. Of course, all the features and quality come at a cost, which is the highest among other book stands I have mentioned in this post. But it is a wise investment if you are a true bookworm and would like to read with ease and comfort.
3. Portable book stands
These are lightweight book stands made of lightweight wireframes, or they have some folding mechanism that makes them very easy to carry while traveling. You can easily put them in your purse while traveling. They will remain unnoticeable.
4. Page Holder Clips
There are different shapes and sizes of book holder clips that you can get to keep your paperback books open. This one gently clips the books at the top or the bottom. It works on treadmills and ellipticals as well.
This lightweight and minimal bookmark clamps the book from the sides.
The cool Black Cat and the Page Partner page holders double as a bookmark.
Explore more: 11 Book Page Holders to hold book open with one hand, or hands-free
5. Thumb Ring to Read with one hand
There are three thumb rings that I had shortlisted. One is made of walnut wood, and the other one is made of cheap plastic. The third one is what I recommend. It is the one shown here.
I have written a detailed post on how to hold a book open with one hand? That article mentions all the accessories, from which you can choose what you like the most, to read with one hand.
Here are the reasons:
Walnut wood ring was a premium option. I was hand-made in the USA. The attention to detail is what makes it expensive. But, why get something that you can lose very easily. So the other option is to buy a pack of 6 or 12 cheap plastic rings. They are good for short reading sessions. After that, they hurt your thumb. And if the book is too heavy, they do not hold it well. They either break or causes a lot of stress on your thumb. The one that I showed above is good value for money. It is sturdy enough even to hold the big books. Plus, it is comfortable on your thumb. And if you lose it, you can get a new one.
6. Weighted Bookmarks
This is a simple tool that works. It is available in rubber and Genuine Leather.
Just put the weight, and it will hold the papers from turning. But the problem with this page holder is that it works only if you are reading on a desk or chair. It will not work if you want in bed. For that, check that floor stand or the next gadget. But if you like reading in bed, there is one available in genuine leather. It will feel more luxurious.
7. Book Holder pillow
This is a pillow that holds books open in its pocket. It can double as a travel pillow. The base of the pillow is filled with a bad bean substance which helps it stay straight or at an angle. You can put it on your stomach, on your lap, or the table.
For more bookholder pillows, click here.
Conclusion:
These seven types of holders will keep your book open without damaging it. Some of them will only work if you are sitting, and some work best while lying down. Some offer complete hands-free reading, and with others, you need one hand to read easily.
Choose the one that matches your reading requirements.
Consider a thumb ring, book pillow, or holder clips if you want something portable and handy.
But if you want a more long-term solution, get a stand, and the best one among them is the floor stand by LEVO.
Weighted Bookmarks and wire stands work in table chair environments only. Choose those for your office if you mostly read on a desk.
Note: There are two kinds of people: 1) who love books, and 2) who love books. This post is for the bookworms who cannot withstand that their book dies, bends, have creases, or is less than mint condition.
More Book Holders
To better understand all the book and e-reader holders available for reading in bed, check my posts on book holders for reading in bed.
If you love reading digital books, check the Kindle stands for reading in bed.
For elderly book lovers, check out this post on the 20 best book holders for the elderly.