Add joy to your reading life with these favorite bookish accessories

Accessories are such joyful fun. I have always adored conversation-starting earrings, interesting shoes, funky bandanas, and colorful handbags. Recently, I noticed my love for accessorizing has spilled over into my reading life. With that in mind, I’m sharing my favorite bookish accessories that make reading time even better. 

Perhaps Tim Gunn telling Project Runway contestants to use the accessory wall “wisely” or the years I spent working as a Display Artist for Anthropologie honed my affection for these small items of delight. Since I devote much of my time to reading, it is the perfect place to add those little something extras. I use these clever and cool reading accessories daily and love gifting them to the readers in my life.

Most of these items aren’t absolutely necessary but they sure are marvelous to use while diving into a great book. Think of them as the sprinkles on top of your favorite ice cream, a bonus that makes it even more perfect. Whether your vibe is cozy reading, books on the go, or matching your e-reader to your favorite genre’s aesthetic, I hope you find an exciting new bookish accessory from this list to treat yourself.

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The Glocusent LED Neck Light

You may have heard me rave about this neck night light on the Patreon bonus episode about reading formats. Well, the love continues. I have bought quite a few to gift and have on hand after receiving one from my fantastic WSIRN Patreon Holiday gift exchange buddy. (Hi Deanne!) Thanks to this clever book light, I read print books a ton more at night. The ability to change the warmth of the light is key for me and I have only needed to charge it ONCE in 5 months. Plus this hands-free light situation could come in real handy for readers who like to cross stitch or knit while listening to audiobooks.

Glocusent Willow Book Light

Y’all, I didn’t even realize until I started working on this post that this wonderful rechargeable booklight was made by the same company as the neck light! We have been using these lights for years and every one in our home has their own. (Each in a different color to make it easier to differentiate whose is whose.) We travel everywhere with these easy-to-use book lights and the rechargeable feature has saved us from using so many batteries. They are the perfect little size and have adjustable warmth and brightness. Such a hit for all ages.

Book Beau Sleeves

Speaking of traveling, I use my Book Beau Sleeve whenever I leave the house even if just for an afternoon. There are so many great book sleeves out there but these are the ones I reach for time and time again. Not only do they come in a variety of sizes to fit both print books and e-readers, they have zippers. Zippers are the book sleeve equivalent of a dress having pockets. Did I mention they are water-resistant? The neoprene-like fabric is a must for trips to the pool, lake, or beach.

MMD “Happy Reading!” Book Darts

This little tin of book darts truly makes me happy. While they’re a great way to mark your page or a particularly lovely quote, I prefer to use them a different way. As I talked about on What Should I Read Next #275: How many book clubs is too many book clubs?, I enjoy structured buddy reads. These tiny darts mark the sections of a book as stopping points for discussions. Using the darts to set up a new buddy read brings me such nerdy delight.

Zenni Glow-in-the-Dark Eyeglasses and Readers

Give me glow in the dark everything! Seriously, I can’t get enough of the everyday magic I feel when something lights up in the dark. I have a glow in the dark shirt from Beastly Books, George R.R. Martin’s bookstore in Santa Fe, a glow in dark water bottle for Lauren Groff’s new FL bookstore The Lynx, and then there’s my favorite glowing item: my Zenni prescription eyeglasses. They are so easy to find in my bedroom at night and are fully customizable to all eye prescription needs. The eyeglasses can even be made into readers with a variety of magnification to choose from and you can easily add blue filtering. Maybe best of all, I get such a kick out of feeling like Peter Gabriel at the end of the music video for Sledgehammer when I turn off the lights and they glow on my face.

Page Kindle Cases

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a reader in possession of an ereader, must be in want of a case. Luckily, Page makes the most stylish Kindle cases out there! Their cases are so colorful and unique, they truly make me smile. I keep telling myself I don’t need to buy a new case but with options this adorable, it is hard to resist. As a bonus, each case comes in a clever little zipper pouch with a punny saying printed on it. Just make sure to double check your Kindle’s credentials before ordering the size you need. (Page makes this easy to do with helpful information on their site and Instagram account.)

Clear E-reader Cases

After seeing readers on Bookstagram use clear cases to hold stickers and a Popsocket to their Kindle, I immediately ordered one for my 11th generation Paperwhite. These cases are lightweight and sleek while protecting the back and edges. The best part is the case is such a clever way to display adorable stickers without having to stick them on permanently, which allows me to use the stickers I have without the internal struggle of deciding where to stick it. (I can’t be the only one with a pile of stickers they are saving for the “perfect” place.) Great news for Kobo users: clear cases are available on both the Kobo site and Amazon.

Bookish Stickers

Speaking of stickers, some of my favorite book themed stickers are the unique and cute designs from Bookshelf Tees and our new Book Camp designs in the MMD Store, especially the Read pennant sticker. Since most e-readers are pretty plain looking, adorable stickers are an inexpensive way to decorate and personalize your device. Instant sparks of joy!

PopSockets

I always thought of PopSockets as a cell phone accessory but it turns out they are great for e-readers as well. When you add one to the back of an e-reader, it makes it easier to hold while you dive into a great book. Simply place the PopSocket near where you normally hold your device. (I tested out a few spots before settling on the back bottom left of my Kindle since I normally hold it with my right hand.) If you want to try one out without adhering it to the device, the clear cases above are the perfect place to stick a PopSocket. Any design will do and the one I have works great but I must admit I have had this glittery glow in the dark (!) one I want but don’t need in my Etsy cart for a while.

Gooseneck Tablet Stand Holder

While a PopSocket is great for making e-readers easier to hold, a gooseneck tablet holder takes care of the job completely. This accessory works with all types of tablets, e-readers, gaming consoles, and phones and can be attached with the clamp to many different kinds of countertops, side tables, and headboards. By placing my Kindle in the gooseneck holder attached to our Ikea bookshelf headboard, I am able to read hands-free. This comes in really handy (pun intended) when it’s late at night and I can’t stop reading or if I have caught germs from my kiddos and am feeling under the weather.

Remote Control Page Turner

Sometimes I just want to snuggle under my favorite blanket (discovered thanks to team member Donna) and read. On chilly nights, even if they are few and far between in South Florida, the page turning remote has been a true reading luxury. Paired with the gooseneck tablet holder, this page-turning remote allows me to keep my constantly cold hands under the cuddly blanket and still read my book. It truly feels like the most comfy bookish treat.

What are your favorite bookish accessories? Please share in the comments.

P.S. Elevate your reading experience with these favorite bookish things, Book journaling tools for every reader, and A bounty of beautiful bookmarks: 20 charming place-holders and page-markers for bookworms to gift and enjoy.

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