The Book Seat, Book Holder and Travel Pillow, Cinnabar Red

Rigid book stands only work on a table, which is not where most people actually read. The Book Seat is a beanbag with a shelf: the book sits upright on the ledge, a clear adjustable page holder keeps it open to your spot, and because the body is soft filling rather than plastic, you can squash it to any angle on your lap, the sofa arm, a desk, or the mattress in front of you. Your hands are suddenly free, and hardcover fatigue, the slow wrist ache of propping open a heavy book, just disappears.

It takes everything from paperbacks to heavy textbooks, and it holds most tablets too, so it converts to a hands-free movie screen at dinner. When you travel, it pulls double duty as a cushion. The cinnabar red suede-feel fabric looks warmer and more giftable than any gray plastic gadget. Best for readers with cold hands who want them under the blanket, knitters and snackers who read while doing something else, and anyone whose arms give out before their attention does.