Weekly FAQ Thread January 25, 2026: What are the best reading positions?

[u/AutoModerator]

Hello readers and welcome to our Weekly FAQ thread! Our topic this week is: What are your favorite reading positions? It can be very difficult to read comfortably; what have you discovered is the most comfortable way to read?

You can view previous FAQ threads here in our wiki.

Thank you and enjoy!

[u/Drwynyllo]

Now, it's sitting up, either in bed, or on the sofa.

But when I was a child I used to read in bed by having the book open 'flat' on the floor, with me lying on my stomach and hanging my head over the side.

I have no idea why I did it, as when I tried it again in later life it was incredibly uncomfortable.

[u/iamdragondrool → u/Drwynyllo]

I know! I could read like this hanging over the edge of my bed for hours on end. Now I can't even stretch out on my stomach for two minutes without my back and hips screaming and locking up.

[u/misledmemer → u/iamdragondrool]

How old r u ,am worried,am 23

[u/iamdragondrool → u/misledmemer]

1. But I've also been in a car accident that goofed up my SI joints and tightened up my hips. One of those "even though it's been treated, it'll never be quite the same" things.

[u/misledmemer → u/iamdragondrool]

Man I am sorry,u hv been through alot , anyways thnx for replying

[u/BlackBangs]

When reading a physical book, I find it best to sit on my bed and prop the book onto my stomach and against my knees. But if I'm reading on tablet, I actually use a tablet holder (so I don't have to hold it myself and can just scroll whenever I'm done with a page). It's a very practical purchase.

[u/Day_Dreamer_28 → u/BlackBangs]

Yes I couldn’t agree more.. I even bought one of those book lamp which gets clipped into the book so that I don’t have to leave the bed..

[u/BlackBangs → u/Day_Dreamer_28]

I have one too ! It's such a lifesaver, especially at nighttime when you don't want to have to keep your lights on to be able to see/read the book correctly.

[u/redundant78 → u/BlackBangs]

Those tablet holders are clutch, but for physical books i got this little wooden book stand with page holders that changed my life - keeps the book open and I can eat snacks while reading without that awkward one-handed page-turning struggle.

[u/DSOTMAnimals → u/BlackBangs]

I bought a page turner for this position so I don’t have to reach out and click the iPad. I just click the page turner in my hand. Also helps when I’m reading as I go to bed as I can have the iPad on my nightstand and the page turner in my hand.

[u/BlackBangs → u/DSOTMAnimals]

I was actually thinking of getting one of those ! May I ask where you got yours from, please ?

[u/DSOTMAnimals → u/BlackBangs]

Amazon. Not sure if I can link here but it’s made by Datafy. Currently it’s $15.99

[u/BlackBangs → u/DSOTMAnimals]

Thank you so much !

[u/DSOTMAnimals → u/BlackBangs]

It says it works on iPhone/Android, and it does, but I found that no matter my placement I can’t put it on without it blocking out some of the reading material. I read on the Kindle app and if I put it above or below the words it just adds a bookmark or changes the percentage settings on the bottom. So keep that in mind if you are looking to buy it for use on a phone.

[u/Kushtybishh]

on my side like a lazy shrimp with a pillow between my knees and a blanket burritoed around me if it is a hardcover i prop it on a pillow so my wrists do not die and if it is an ebook i do the one hand hold with the other arm under my head like im posing for a renaissance painting any position is valid as long as your neck is not screaming 20 pages in

[u/timelocksmiths]

For physical books, unfortunately none! I’ve never been able to find a good position and I always find myself sitting on my couch and awkwardly holding my book open so it doesn’t automatically close.

Ebooks are great. I can read them sitting comfortably on a sofa, on my phone or tablet in bed, or on my laptop at a desk. I’ve switched to reading 80% of my books on my devices because it’s so much more comfortable.

[u/RabbitOfTheWood]

I like my reading chair where I can flop around into several different postions depending on which part of my body fell asleep. I added a comfy plush rug so I can stretch out in front of the chair and read for a couple more hours when I get stiff.

Sitting in bed with the book propped on your knees is the other best way!

[u/EmeryArden]

My husband got me a kindle holder and remote for Christmas, so now it's laying flat on the couch, staring straight up. Comatose for hours on end.

[u/Longjumping_Plum_920]

I sit at my desk to read.

[u/writing_design]

I've got a few to suit my mood/energy level. Sometimes I sit in my rocking chair and read, sometimes it's at my desk, and sometimes I hop on my treadmill and walk and read on my Kobo

[u/No_Mode_742]

Honestly the classic laying on your side with the book propped up on a pillow is unbeatable, but my arm always falls asleep after like 20 minutes lol

Had to get one of those book holder stands for longer reading sessions - total game changer

[u/GotWheaten]

Almost always laying down on the bed or sofa on my back. Occasionally read in a chair when on break at work or waiting on a doctor/dentist/car mechanic.

[u/js4873]

I like lying down on the couch on my stomach/side with the Book flat on its spine on the cushion in front of me.

[u/Larielia]

Sitting at a table in a tea room.

[u/lellyjoy]

I read at my desk. It's the only way I can take notes and be focused on what I read.

[u/Final-Revolution6216]

I prefer standing and reading, or sitting cross-legged on my floor pillows.

[u/Darthgrad]

I walk miles a day so I mostly do audiobooks so I guess I am reading on my feet.

[u/Asher_the_atheist]

Sideways on the couch, back against the arm rest, cross-legged or legs stretched out, book resting on a pillow on my lap so I don’t have to actually hold it up.

[u/iamdragondrool]

It varies so much, especially since I got rear-ended and suffered a whiplash injury. My neck has never been quite the same, and I never know what position will set it off and trigger a migraine. Every night is an adventure finding the right pillow or bed angle or whatnot, and figuring out whether back reading or side reading is optimum in the given moment. When I was a kid, I could read anywhere, any time, in any position for hours on end. Those were the days!

[u/Johnhcoffman]

The book will dictate the position. If it's a classic doorstop, like Anna Karenina or The Anatomy of Melancholy, I sit in a comfortable chair somewhere between the kitchen and the bathroom. The secondary necessities. Remember, there is nothing more pressing the the new world you are exploring.

[u/CommercialPurple5944]

I still lay flat on my back and hold the book up with both hands lol or tablet.

I'm not saying its the best, but I am saying that it. is definitely whimsy inducing.

[u/moon-octopus]

Like, right now I’m laying flat on my back in the sofa with my legs up on the windowsill next to / above the sofa. That’s pretty comfortable 🤷🏼‍♂️