I too have issues with reading - especially books - trying to hold them does not work!! I recently purchased an iPad and also have an I touch (which was a hand me down from one of the kids). I cannot believe how much I read now. I purchased a stand/cover for it. I plop it onto a pillow on my lap and read til the cows come home!! I only use the I touch when I am in bed. I switch it between hands and read til I fall asleep (it also lights up so I don't disturb the hubby snoring!) With both of them I can adjust the font size and have it large enough to not squint. (I use the kindle app on both and it correlates the two)

I have not experienced the kindle or nook but believe it could assist with the hand issues also! One can purchase the kindle for just over $100. The advertising does not impede the book itself, which is nice. This one is wifi ready; one could purchase higher priced ones to get the 3G versions.

I sound like a sales person at Best Buy!!!! I have just found how much easier it is and how I enjoy reading again!! Definitely fills the gap when I am down and out!!
I still occasionally read a regular book and find I want to "get it finished" so I can go back to my electronic toys!!

I haven't made up my mind about them, because I am a book nut, but what about a Kindle? I know you can get all the magazines on them. If that doesn't appeal, what about a support of some kind? I have seen a laptray that has a tilt for your book. I am not sure if I saw if at Barnes and Noble or on a site for disability supplies. C

I have always loved to read and was at a loss when I could no longer hold books open for long. My dear husband bought me a Nook. I love it. I have read so many books this summer and I love looking at all the available books I can download immediately - I'm like a kid in a candy store. If you get a Nook Color you can get the color magazines on it.

Hi, ThisToo,

I have the same problem, and I love to read. My kitties, by way of my husband's wallet, bought me a Kindle for Mother's Day. I love it. I don't even have to hold it, I just lay it up against my knees if I want to. And...you can make the type face as big as you want.

V

I was thinking about a kindle or such reader but....if you can't afford one how about a gold old fashioned clip board from an office supply or...slipping rubber bands around the pages to hold it open and then just place a throw pillow or something on your lap to rest the book on.. If you are reading sitting at a table at cooking supply stores they sometimes sell cook book holders that you can use while cooking so why not use it for reading as well...

Oh this is a real problem for me. My hand cramp and hurt. I want to get a kindle, much lighter and easy to use

I love to read and had this same problem. I bought a thing called Book Gem from Amazon. It was less than $20. It holds books and Kindles or such. I love it! It is a little difficult to turn pages if your fingers are sore because it has a spring mechanism that holds the pages tight but it still works better than holding a book for me. There is a review on Amazon that is a video so you can see how it works. It also has legs so it'll stand up on it's own.

My darling daughter got me a Peeramid book holder. It works well for me. For bigger books I turn it point side down (especially when I am trying to read in bed) I have my knees bent and put the point between my knees. Here is the website:

http://www.peeramid.com/

Ive got a kindle. Very light weight. I love it. I have an iPad too, but that is heavy. I prop it in on a pillow in bed. Oprah is so darn big, I prop her magazine on a small pillow on my tummy, on chair or bed.

I noticed my hands are getting bad. I tried to clean my windows yesterday, and wow it hurt like heck. I didn't realize how bad I was getting.

Gee, thank you guys so much ! I am so glad I said something.
I have to laugh because I notice it's easy when I say a couple words, or one of you makes a discussion with a couple words and we all know what it means before we read it, I bet !
:) I can't afford an electonic device right now. And before now I was always thinking "i love BOOKS" and would not want a Kindle, ipad, etc, even if I could afford it. but now come to think of it , the hand pain thing would be a good reason. I spend a weekend with my sister recently & she has an iPad and I hated it.
I have attempted to make my own of things mentioned, such as the clipboard, the rubber bands (i have a flat lap desk and tried rubber bands , also I glued on some elastic bands which kind of helps ) I will check out the others mentioned such as book gem and peeramid.
I'll let you know , thanks again so much !

Sympathy. I love reading and only get occasional blocks when hand makes reading a real issue. I read at a table quite often and then only need to turn page.

Reading in bed is a major issue even when not in huge flare. Use cushions and have hands bandaged when sore. I have a couple of hospital constructed hand supports too. Find I am able to manage. Matter of fiddling about on the bad days. But when at the library where I get most of my reading I have started to avoid heavy hardbacks and look for lighter paperback version...and because I cant put the book just where I might like in bed to suit my eyesight and spectables I wear an extra pair of glasses. (Cheapos with standard magnification) Looks crazy but gives me a better option for reading and seems to work. No one else cares and I even did it when away sharing room with assorted other travellers although I did explain....!

I had this problem, too (bought a nook, which also sometimes cramps my hands...) - but here are two options:

http://acornonline.com/book-seat/p/14907/

http://www.amandacrawforddesigns.com/index.php/bookholders-with-lap-desk/book-buddy.html

the amandacrawford one looks pretty simple, I bet you could replicate it (if you are crafty at all, I'm not LOL)

Wow, the great solutions keep pouring in.......thanks a jillion ; )
You know that amandacrawford is very similar to what I've already made, but from what I can see, it has 2 additional straps which w/explain why mine has a flaw. It looks like the vertical ones can hold the book open, while the other, diagonal ones, hold the pages ?

I can try and copy that extra idea. yea, I use cushions, pillows, you name it and they slip & move and it's a constant struggle and hard to read much that way.
I do use recipe holder type things and also plate holders/picture frame holders, while at a table. If it is the right kind of book that is great.
But 99% of my reading is in bed. It's how I get to sleep.

I am just thrilled I have all these new ideas to try and to consider !

yippeee..:D

Also after reading about the book gem, I thought ok, I'll get it, but then I saw some reviewers say it's worthless on some books, and/or hard on the pages. since I get most of my books from the library I don't want to mess them up. but it does look intriguing.

THANK YOU ThisToo!

I was just thinking about this yesterday when my left thumb hurt so bad I couldn't hold my book.

THANK YOU GROUP for all your awesome replies about all the items available to help with this problem. I didn't even know some of them existed!

Hugs & Prayers,
Naynie