How to Build a Reading Nook That Enables Your Worst Habits

There's a particular kind of optimism involved in sitting down to read at nine o'clock and telling yourself you'll stop after one chapter.

It's adorable, really.

Three hours later, you're negotiating with yourself like a hostage negotiator. One more chapter. Just until they kiss. Just until we find out who betrayed whom.

Before you know it, the sun is coming up, your neck hurts, and you're contemplating calling in sick because a fictional man has made some very poor decisions.

We can't help you with the fictional man.

But we can do something about your neck.

FIRST, LET'S DISCUSS THE BED SITUATION.

If you've ever tried to read in bed for several hours, you've probably discovered that the human body was not designed to support a book at exactly the right angle indefinitely.

You start sitting upright. Then you're leaning against a pillow. Then you're lying on your side with one arm trapped beneath you, trying to turn pages without moving because you've finally found a position that doesn't hurt.

It's a ridiculous amount of physical labor for an activity that involves almost no movement.

Enter the adjustable Kindle stand.

It's not particularly glamorous, but neither is waking up with a crick in your neck because you refused to stop reading.

A sturdy, adjustable stand lets you position your e-reader where it's comfortable instead of arranging your entire skeleton around it.

Explore adjustable Kindle stands on Amazon →

AND THEN THERE'S THE PAGE TURNER.

I used to think remote page turners were a little excessive.

Then I considered the possibility of reading under a blanket without having to expose a single finger to the cold.

Suddenly, the entire concept seemed remarkably sensible.

A compatible remote page turner lets you advance your book without constantly reaching for the screen. It's particularly appealing if you read in bed, have a stand-mounted e-reader, or simply enjoy being extraordinarily comfortable.

Do you need one?

Absolutely not.

Would I judge you for buying one?

Given the subject matter of this website, that would be an interesting place for me to draw the line.

Explore Kindle page turners on Amazon →

Just check compatibility with your particular Kindle before ordering. Not every remote works with every model.

THE ACTUAL INVESTMENT: A READING CHAIR YOU LOVE.

Now, if we're talking about making a meaningful upgrade, I'd argue that a genuinely comfortable reading chair deserves more attention than most of the little accessories people recommend.

A good chair is one you'll use for years, whether you're reading, drinking coffee, or contemplating why every fictional man you fall in love with appears to have unresolved childhood trauma.

Look for something with supportive cushioning, enough room to change positions, and a backrest that doesn't leave you regretting your life choices after forty minutes.

If you like curling up with your legs tucked underneath you, an oversized chair or chair-and-ottoman combination may be more comfortable than a narrow accent chair.

If you prefer sitting upright, prioritize back support over aesthetics.

And please, for the love of all things literary, measure your space before ordering furniture.

The only thing more disappointing than an unsatisfying ending is discovering your new reading chair doesn't fit through the doorway.

Explore oversized reading chairs on Amazon →

SET THE MOOD. WITHIN REASON.

You don't need to turn your bedroom into a Gothic cathedral to enjoy dark romance.

Although, if that's your ambition, we support it.

A warm reading light, a comfortable blanket, and somewhere to put your drink will get you surprisingly far.

If you're decorating a dedicated reading corner, a few personal touches can make it feel like your own little escape. A framed print, a favorite candle, or some interesting bookends can be enough.

Explore Gothic bookends on Amazon →

The trick is to create a space you actually want to use, not one that only looks good in photographs.

A beautiful chair you can't sit in is just an expensive sculpture.

AND WHAT SHOULD YOU READ IN YOUR NEW LITTLE SANCTUARY?

If you're in the mood for mafia romance, consider Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark or Painted Scars by Neva Altaj.

If you're looking for something darker and more psychologically intense, God of Malice by Rina Kent might be more your speed.

And if you want dark romance with a particularly unusual sense of humor, Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver deserves a look.

As always, check the content warnings. We love a fictional disaster, but we also believe in knowing what you're signing up for.

A FINAL WORD ON SELF-CONTROL.

A beautiful reading nook won't make you a more disciplined reader.

If anything, it will probably make things worse.

You'll be more comfortable. You'll have fewer reasons to get up. And you'll be considerably better equipped to convince yourself that one more chapter is a perfectly reasonable idea.

But there are worse problems to have.

At least you'll be comfortable while making terrible decisions.