Thursday, April 23, 2009

My Book Buddy Is My New Best Friend!

When Mandy from Reading Comfort asked if I'd be willing to try out the Book Buddy and talk about it on my blog, I didn't hesitate. A beautiful pillow that leaves my hands free to knit while I read...I'm there! And I like to read in bed, but I don't like having to sit in weird positions to juggle the book. Worst of all is the loud crash when the book slips out of my hands and hits the floor if I doze off.

After neatly peeling away the yellow tissue paper wrapped around the package (which was a great touch), I squealed with joy. My Book Buddy came in the Papillon Gold design (the exact one in the picture), which is almost a perfect match to the comforter on my bed. I hoped that was a sign that my reading-in-bed problems were coming to an end.

To use the Book Buddy, you simply slip the front and back covers of the book under the middle straps, and the side straps hold the pages in place. The ribbons are adjustable, which makes it possible to use the Book Buddy with virtually any book. I've used it with a hardcover and a trade paperback, and it worked just fine. I haven't tried it with a mass market paperback, but I'm thinking that might not work as well. (If anyone has tried it, please let me know!)

The ribbons seem to be attached very well to the pillow, which is great because I'm all about good quality and long-lasting products. The only problem that I found with the Book Buddy is...well, me. See, my OCD issues mean I like everything perfect and just so. I think I spent more time adjusting the ribbons (making sure they were perfectly straight and not twisted, of course) than reading. :) Once I was situated, though, I soon learned that reading in bed can be fun and comfortable. I can keep the Book Buddy in my lap if I'm sitting up, I can rest it against my knees, and even lean it up against another pillow so I can read while lying on my stomach.

The Book Buddy also comes with a clear acrylic writing desk, which can be slipped under the side straps. I used it for writing, and I liked it. I can see myself one day using the Book Buddy as a laptop pillow, too.

I highly recommend the Book Buddy, and the wide variety of colors and designs means there is something for everyone.

I'd like to give a big thanks to Mandy from Reading Comfort for sending me my Book Buddy, and those of you who have the Book Buddy, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

21 comments:

Serena said...

sounds great...so that's why you were distracted during read-a-thon...too busy adjusting those straps...lol

bermudaonion said...

I love my Book Buddy too! They're great.

Blodeuedd said...

The book buddy looks great :D
I hope they get them here too

Marie Cloutier said...

gotta love the Book Buddy! :-)

Darlene said...

My thoughts are I'm extremely jealous. lol. Enjoy Anna!

bethany (dreadlock girl) said...

Oh, that is such a nice thing to have as a book reviewer!! Great post as well. :) I love reading in bed too.

Iliana said...

That is really cute. I am curious how well it works with mass market paperbacks too. I just peeked at her site and she's got some other goodies I want!

Karen Harrington said...

I just got my Book Buddy and I love it! But I'm using it most as a Laptop Buddy, which I love. I'm going to post about it soon, too.

Sandy Nawrot said...

That is a beautiful buddy! I was having a hard time figuring out how I'd use the thing, but aha! The clouds parted when you mentioned the book falling on the floor as you are trying to read in bed and fall asleep. I do this more often than I would care to admit!

teabird said...

What a wonderful invention! must.have.book.buddy!!

Staci said...

Now I want a book buddy!!!!

Wendi said...

Great review!! Your Book Buddy is just beautiful! Seems like it would come in handy for reading in bed, in the car, and for blogging - my computer is a laptop, and I'm always trying to get it comfy on my lap, and it just doesn't happen.

:) Wendi

Teddy Rose said...

Is it easy to turn the pages all stapped in like that? If yes, I think I have to have one. The only problen is they don't have one in purple, my favorite colour. LOL! I think I would also get the Papillon Gold

Lenore Appelhans said...

I need a book buddy that turns the page for me per voice command!

Jeanne said...

You can knit and read at the SAME TIME? Oh my.

Ladytink_534 said...

I want one of these things! They're SO neat!!!

Toni said...

This sounds like the ultimate readers tool. I need one.. heck.. I need a few.

Bonnie said...

I'm green with envy...ohhh..these are so beautiful and sound wonderful for us booklovers and avid readers. Glad to hear that you enjoyed using yours. I like how versatile it is and can be used as a writing desk and with a laptop!!

Nicole said...

It's a beautiful pillow. And, I have trouble getting comfortable with my books in bed, too. What a great idea!!

S. Krishna said...

I love mine as well! I don't know what I did before my Book Buddy!

Anna said...

Thanks to everyone who commented on my Book Buddy post. I'm glad those of you with Book Buddies are enjoying them, too.

Serena: Yes, I have an obsession with perfectly straight and tightened straps. I am eccentric, you know. LOL

Iliana: I've seen another review and it seems to work okay with mass market paperbacks. I haven't tried it yet, though.

Teddy Rose: I didn't have any problems turning the pages. You just have to find the right tension with the straps and you're good to go.

Lenore: Wouldn't that be lovely?

Jeanne: Yup, and before the Book Buddy, I would hold the book down with my feet and stop knitting to turn the pages. LOL