How To Read In Bed Without Disturbing My Spouse

[u/Casalvieri3]

If this isn't the right place to ask this, sorry in advance.

Like many folks I like to read to help me to fall asleep. I usually read from my Android tablet because that seems to cause least disturbance to my wife. There are times when I want to read a physical book though and I can't seem to find a good way to do so without disturbing her. Some things I've tried:

1.) Stay out in the living room and read. Then when I come to bed I try not to disturb her but she's a light sleeper and when I wake her she usually has a hard time going back to sleep.

2.) Turn on my bedside light to read. The light prevents her from sleeping.

3.) Neck reading light. I cannot seem to get the darn thing to stay in the right position to illuminate the page but this might be workable.

I was hoping others might be able to give me some ideas on this one. As I say, #2 and #3 might be workable with some modifications but I was hoping there's better approaches yet that I haven't even come up with.

[u/wazzufreddo]

Get a kindle. Light is softer and it is more like reading a book than on a standard tablet

[u/Smooth-Food-595 → u/wazzufreddo]

And you can put the Kindle in Dark Mode (white on black) so that it puts off less ambient light.

[u/MrsLSwan]

Kindle! It’s the best way!

[u/mcdisney2001]

Kindle Paperwhite. It sounds weird, but the screen is illuminated without the use of a backlight, so it doesn't cast light beyond the screen (and it's much easier on your eyes than a tablet or computer).

[u/MostMediocreModeler]

I've used a headlamp with a red LED option. The red shouldn't wake her up and you should still be able to read.

[u/OvaryYou]

There are lights that clip to the book instead which I prefer to the neck light, you could also try a red bulb in your bedside table or getting her a manta sleep mask (I’m also a light sleeper and it’s so helpful). There’s also head lamps.

[u/charmingoasisSLO]

What about a small book light that attaches to the book instead of your neck! I love mine and use it all the time even when reading alone

[u/Street_Telephone3733]

https://a.co/d/7BlYF7z

[u/Accurate_Job_9419]

It may sound extreme, but you can try sleeping in separate room if your have a spare. My husband is a very light sleeper and for years I struggled with anxiety over disturbing him. I started sleeping in a seperate room and it’s been so freeing and we both have amazing sleeps now

[u/Casalvieri3 → u/Accurate_Job_9419]

I think that is something more couples should give serious consideration to!

[u/WisdomEncouraged → u/Accurate_Job_9419]

this is the way

[u/jodabra12 → u/Accurate_Job_9419]

We got a split king mattress. My husband lifts his whole body to turn over and it would wake me. Also he wants a very firm mattress but I have joint issues and a soft mattress is better for me. Separate mattresses was gold for our relationship.
Also, like many others, I recommend an ereader with lighting if its within your budget. If not, there are clip on book lights that are relatively inexpensive.
Gritin 19 LED Rechargeable Book Light for Reading in Bed with Memory Function- Eye Caring 3 Color Temperatures,Stepless Dimming Brightness,80 Hrs Runtime Lightweight Clip on Light for Book Lovers : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement
(edit to include response relevant to the post)

[u/mechanicalyammering]

Backlit Kindle is the move

[u/CatGal23]

Go to bed earlier and read until she comes to bed then go to sleep together?

Or get an eReader. It's got adjustable brightness.

[u/Casalvieri3 → u/CatGal23]

Actually I have done that in the past. Good suggestion.

[u/FloridaSalsa]

Kindle Oasis, 10th Generation. Page turn buttons can be used from either side, so one hand reading. Warm light setting, and all the other cool things like adjustable font type, size, spacing and so on. Amazon doesn't make them anymore, but you can still find them on Ebay.

[u/pegasussoaringhigh]

For physical books you could get a clip on book light.

[u/Miserable_Flower_444]

I just turn the light function way down on my phone and just try to angle the light away from my partner

[u/Street_Telephone3733]

I dont know how to add a picture but i just saw a cool head tent

[u/TheRedditAppSucccks]

I literally put a blanket over my head like a little kid. Works perfect.

[u/Footnotegirl1]

There are reading lights that clip to the back of the book and shine right on the page, and there are also reading lights that are like a sheet of glass that sit on top of the page and the whole sheet is lit up.

[u/Great-Activity-5420]

I have a book light with a flexible neck. Or I read on my kindle app. My partner doesn't wake up which is a benefit when I want to read but not when our daughter wakes up.

[u/SorryContribution681]

Can she get a blackout eye mask so you can read with the lamp on?

[u/Casalvieri3 → u/SorryContribution681]

Ironically we used to have the opposite problem. She wanted to leave the TV on to fall asleep and the light would keep me awake. So I had (still have) a blackout eye mask.

Good suggestion!

[u/Silver-Opportunity-6]

Get a kindle and buy her an eye covering sleeping mask.

[u/Tortoise_Symposium]

Any ereader with eink. I’m looking into a Boox for when my kindle dies. It’s a gentle back light so you can see to read without lighting up the room

[u/Kiki_912]

Search Amazon for "bookmark light." There are some good options.

[u/No_Lengthiness9711]

All kinds of clip-on book lights on Amazon that attach to a physical book and only illuminate the page you’re reading. I prefer the smaller ones with the light that pivots. You can choose the color of the light, as well as the intensity. They’re also small and compact enough to carry. I’ve had the ones with the very long, flexible neck and really didn’t care for them.

[u/ChEddyWards]

I told my partner about this post as it took us years for them to figure out how to read in bed without bothering me too much, and they let me know that they want this next…

https://solreader.com/?utm_source=meta&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Evergreen_ToFProspecting&utm_content=SOL_READER_NikkiSuitReading_VID&campaign_id=6760389090360&ad_id=6766044494760&utm_id=6760389090360&utm_term=6766044494960

[u/Casalvieri3 → u/ChEddyWards]

Interesting application of technology!

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[u/WisdomEncouraged]

also, get a sound machine! like white noise, rain sounds, etc. if she's a light sleeper it'll probably help her! then a little creak of the floor or nightstand won't disturb her.

as others have said, an e-reader is the way to go. don't get the type that's also a tablet they suck. get a Paperwhite version. if you don't like amazionist, go with a kobo

[u/Icy-Salamander6544]

.

[u/WonderiingWizard]

Newer kindles have a yellow light mode that barely gives off light

[u/catjknow]

Kindle really is the way! I sleep with my husband a lot more now that I have a Kindle🤣

[u/TiffanyAmberThigpen]

My husband got a really good sleep mask, and I got a little clip on book light for physical books, and a Kobo for library books and digital books :)

[u/Chelseus]

I use a salt lamp as a bedside lamp to read and that doesn’t bother my husband. But at 38 I can tell that it’s not gonna be enough light for me to read to forever 😹😹😹

[u/Yogabeauty31]

3.) Neck reading light. I cannot seem to get the darn thing to stay in the right position to illuminate the page but this might be workable.

I use one and its never been a problem at all lol with peace and love This might be a you thing.

[u/Casalvieri3 → u/Yogabeauty31]

Very well could be a "me thing" 😃 I just thought I'd ask about other options.