Book accessories for every reading spot

How to choose a book accessory

Start with what your hands are doing. If you read one book at a time and mostly need a place marker, a bookmark is enough. If you read at a desk, in the kitchen or while eating, a stand or page keeper does more work. If you read several books at once, index tabs and multi-slot racks help you keep track.

Bookmarks come in two main kinds here. Paper bookmarks, like The Floral Girl Bookmark Set at 1.57 x 5.91 in (4 x 15 cm), are thin and light. Magnetic bookmarks, like The Scenic Page Magnetic Bookmarks at 3.9 x 0.5 in (10 x 1.3 cm), clip onto the page and stay put. Metal bookmarks, like The Gilded Quill Bookmark at 3 x 5.5 in (75 x 140 mm), are firmer and often come with a tassel.

Sizes and measuring

Measure your book before you buy a stand. A closed paperback is often around 4 to 5 in (10 to 13 cm) wide, while a hardcover can run 6 in (15 cm) or more. The Foldaway Reading Stand expands to 7.1 x 6.3 x 6.3 in (18 x 16 x 16 cm) and folds to 7.1 x 9.4 in (18 x 24 cm), so it suits most trade hardcovers and paperbacks. The Adjustable Reading Stand is larger at about 11 x 9.4 x 9.4 in (28 x 24 x 24 cm) and comes with book clips, page holders and book supports.

For lighter setups, The Clear Book Rest measures about 6.3 x 4.7 x 4.7 in (16 x 12 x 12 cm) and holds a single book at a fixed angle. The Folding Page Rest is 13.4 x 9.4 in (34 x 24 cm) and lies flat when not in use. The Clear Page Keeper is a small clip at 4.7 x 2.8 in (12 x 7 cm) for holding pages open.

Bookmark sizes matter less, but check them against your book. The Blossom Page Magnetic Bookmarks are 0.8 x 2.4 in (2 x 6 cm), small enough for pocket books. The Painted Page Magnetic Bookmarks are 0.98 x 2.56 in (2.5 x 6.5 cm) and come as a set of 4. The Vintage Painting Bookmarks are 4.25 x 0.86 in (10.8 x 2.2 cm) with a 5.5 in (14 cm) tassel. The Floral Girl Bookmark Set runs 1.57 x 5.91 in (4 x 15 cm), a longer style that sits well in trade paperbacks.

Materials and what they suit

Paper bookmarks are best for light use and for marking many books at once. The Reading Room Index Tabs come in 60 pcs per pack (L), 120 pcs per pack (M) and 240 pcs per pack (S), with sizes from 1.8 x 1.8 in (45 x 18 mm) down to 1.8 x 0.5 in (45 x 12 mm). They are writable and repositionable, so you can label chapters or sections.

Magnetic bookmarks grip the page and resist falling out. The Scenic Page Magnetic Bookmarks use magnetic material and paper, and The Blossom Page Magnetic Bookmarks use the same build in a 12-pack. The Painted Page Magnetic Bookmarks use magnetic material and plastic. Keep magnetic bookmarks dry and wipe them with a soft cloth.

Metal bookmarks are the most durable option. The Gilded Quill Bookmark and The Painted Bloom Bookmark are both metal. The Painted Bloom Bookmark is about 5.9 x 1.6 in (15 x 4 cm) and ships with a tassel. Wipe metal with a dry cloth.

Stands and racks come in metal, plastic and acrylic. The Foldaway Reading Stand is metal and wipes clean with a dry cloth. The Adjustable Reading Stand is plastic and comes with clips and supports. The Clear Book Rest is clear acrylic, and The Five Slot Desk Bookend Rack is plastic with five slots at 10.2 x 4.7 x 4.1 in (26 x 12 x 10.5 cm).

Care and everyday use

Paper items should stay dry. That covers The Reading Room Index Tabs and The Floral Girl Bookmark Set. Store them flat and away from moisture.

Magnetic and metal bookmarks need a quick wipe now and then. Use a soft cloth for magnetic styles and a dry cloth for metal styles. The Clear Book Rest and The Folding Page Rest wipe clean with a damp cloth. The Five Slot Desk Bookend Rack also wipes clean with a damp cloth.

If you read in the kitchen, a stand plus a page keeper is a practical pair. If you read in bed, a magnetic bookmark and a small book rest are easier to manage. If you keep a desk full of references, the five slot rack keeps them upright and within reach.

Picking a set for your reading style

For one book at a time: a single metal bookmark like The Gilded Quill Bookmark, or a magnetic pair like The Scenic Page Magnetic Bookmarks.

For many books at once: The Reading Room Index Tabs in the 240 pcs per pack (S) size, plus The Five Slot Desk Bookend Rack.

For hands-free reading: The Foldaway Reading Stand for a compact metal option, or The Adjustable Reading Stand for a larger plastic option with clips.

For lighter page holding: The Clear Page Keeper clip or The Clear Book Rest.

For gifts: The Painted Bloom Bookmark with its tassel, or The Vintage Painting Bookmarks 12-pack with assorted designs.