Reading light

January 10, 2024 12:24 AM

Help me find an answer to this problem! I need to read actual books (not ebooks) in bed or write in an actual journal by hand during the night when my kid is asleep in the same room.

I really don't want to buy anything new unless I have to. But maybe I need to buy a portable light or something.

I'm sure there are gadgets for this! Recommend them but I'm also interested in ideas like if you know if a headlamp would work or would that be too bright?

posted by mxjudyliza to Grab Bag (11 answers total)

I read by the light of an LED headlamp all the time when I’m camping. Get one that dims, though, or you’ll be stuck with way too much light.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 12:37 AM on January 10

Yes, I use a clip on booklight all the time.

Amazon UK link

They are quite handy.
posted by unicorn chaser at 2:30 AM on January 10

I have an LED light that clips onto the book I'm reading, like a tiny gooseneck lamp, if you want something that stays focused on the book and doesn't move with your head. It was cheap and works well.
posted by Rhedyn at 2:30 AM on January 10

The block blue light book light is really nice!
posted by rockindata at 3:15 AM on January 10

Wirecutter recently recommended this light (among others). I bought a very similar one and I like the concept - the spots mean it doesn't light up the whole bedroom - just focus on the pages you're reading. Plus you can use it lying down or sitting up.
posted by sagwalla at 3:53 AM on January 10

This light is shockingly good for the price. Warm white light and three settings - the lowest setting is fine for reading in bed without disturbing others and it goes weeks before needing a charge. At brighter setting it is very bright and useful as a flashlight to walk around a dark house.

https://a.co/d/2yxWmJL
posted by sol at 5:25 AM on January 10

came here to recommend the same neck light as @sagwalla above. I can personally vouch for this one as “the sleeper” (not the reader), and the gadget itself has seemed to be durable/long lasting.
posted by tamarack at 6:08 AM on January 10

I just noticed some neck lights that come in a slightly different format now that has a page-facing light on one side, that I may pick up for myself.

These are just generally handy as hell to have around.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:50 AM on January 10

I read by the light of an LED headlamp all the time when I’m camping. Get one that dims, though, or you’ll be stuck with way too much light.

To add to this, you can get ones that have a red LED. From experience, this is much less disturbing to someone else in the same room.
posted by TORunner at 7:06 AM on January 10

This one is great, I bought it recently to read next to a sleeping person and it's been a perfect balance between not bothering him and allowing me to see the book.
posted by Eyelash at 8:40 AM on January 10

Mostly suitable for reading: a flat transparant plastic slab like this will illuminate the entire page without spreading too much light to the rest of the room. I have one (no idea what brand) and it works.
posted by demi-octopus at 10:25 AM on January 10