What’s the best position for reading?

I received an email recently from someone telling me how she struggled to find a comfortable position to read in. If she lay on her stomach, eventually her back would begin aching. If she read on her back, her arms grew weary under the weight of the book (and gravity).

She flattered me then, asking what a great reader like me did. Great reader? Did you hear that? Hehe. *blushes*

Have you ever wondered what’s the best position for reading? Is it sitting in an easy chair or lounging on the couch? 

I mean, you could probably even read in a handstand (as long as someone else will turn the pages for you), but I think the muscles strain and balance might cause less reading.

Reading positions have to be like sleeping positions. We all favor one or the other.

 

Reading Positions

According to Barbara and Gabriela

Thankfully, my lovely assistant, Gabriela, has offered to be our model today as we tackle this extremely precarious situation of reading postures. You can always count on your teddy. She’s been with me now for almost 16 years, I think.

 

So What’s The Best Reading Position?

Side Reading:

When I was younger, I loved reading on my side, propping the book on the floor with one hand while resting my head on my other hand. But my mom informed me that this was a good way to get a curvature in the spine.

Tummy Reading:

Tummy time (for reading) is another favorite, but I’m going to admit that my elbows start to hurt (regardless of whether or not I’m on carpet or hard floor).

Back Reading:

I rarely read on my back because I have weakling arms, but occasionally if I get desperate I’ll do it.

 

Overhang Reading:

I’ve even been known to hang off the side of a bed (while on my stomach) with the book on the floor so I can give my lower back a break from curving. This position doesn’t last long either because my arms fall asleep or my head gets tired.

 

Chair Perch Reading:

Reading perched on a chair isn’t so bad. I always seem to pull my feet up so I’m in fetal position in the chair, but I find this comfortable. This doesn’t last long either, though, because I haven’t quite figured out how to negotiate reading around my knees.

 

Pillow Snuggle Reading:

Most recently, I love reading while lounging against pillows. It requires quite the mound and a bit of wiggling to create the right Barbara-shaped space. The lower back must be supported and the neck, too. I can stay in this reading position the longest.

 

Just Sit On The Book:

 

But let me let you in on a little secret (just in case you’re still working your way to it), shifting reading positions often is acceptable. In fact, if you stayed in one reading position for longer than an hour, I’d be worried (or I’d want to know what you’re reading). Sitting on the book probably won’t be effective. Feel free to try.

So, readerly friends, keep shifting! And tell me in the comments below what your preferred reading posture is!