# POLL: What position do you prefer while READING in bed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 28, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132 "2002-04-28T16:59:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/1 "2002-04-28T16:59:20Z")
When I go to sleep I usually read for a 1/2 hour or so. I read on my stomach, propped up by my arms with the magazine or book below me on the bed. My SO insists that I am abnormal for doing this. According to her, most people read sitting upright, propped on pillows like the Brady bunch couple always did. So, how bout you, Dopers? ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/2 "2002-04-28T17:05:19Z")
I read like you. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/3 "2002-04-28T17:09:36Z")
Missionary. ---
**Author:** ![Jocke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dec6dc/32.png) [@Jocke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jocke)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/4 "2002-04-28T17:31:48Z")
Clearly the optimum reading position is lying on your side propped up on your elbow. Convert heathens… ---
**Author:** ![cbtcad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@cbtcad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbtcad)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/5 "2002-04-28T17:42:51Z")
I actually went and lay down in my bed and read a book to see exactly how I was positioned. I lay with my body completely flat and with my head supported by a couple of pillows and place the book upright on my chest. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/6 "2002-04-28T17:58:49Z")
Doggy Style. Seriously- I’ll be lying on my back, reading, and my dogs’ll jump into the bed and start licking the book. At least they’ve got good taste. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Nonny\_Mouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5e9695/32.png) [@Nonny\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonny_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/7 "2002-04-28T18:27:51Z")
Print: Lying on my back with the book resting on my chest. Ebooks: Lying on my side, with the hand holding the palm pilot resting on the pillow. This is my preferred position but doesn’t work as well with print books. Nonny ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/8 "2002-04-28T18:44:39Z")
Brady. Haj ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/9 "2002-04-28T18:44:54Z")
I find I get the most pleasure with the book on top. I also like reading in public places, where at any moment someone could come in and see me with the book. Very exciting. ---
**Author:** ![Iguana\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@Iguana\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iguana_Boy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/10 "2002-04-28T21:16:03Z")
I usually read Brady style, but also sometimes on my side. Trouble is I prefer lying on my left side, leaving my right hand free to turn pages, but my bedside lamp is on the wrong side of my bed for that (and, no, it can’t be moved!). ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/11 "2002-04-28T21:52:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Debaser \* > \*\*When I go to sleep I usually read for a 1/2 hour or so. I read on my stomach, propped up by my arms with the magazine or book below me on the bed. > > My SO insists that I am abnormal for doing this. According to her, most people read sitting upright, propped on pillows like the Brady bunch couple always did. > > So, how bout you, Dopers? \*\* I’m with the Bradys on this one. When I try to read like you do, the pressure on my elbows makes my arms numb. ---
**Author:** ![Manach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Manach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manach)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/12 "2002-04-28T22:09:14Z")
Jocke’s Style, I choose not to read too interesting a book as I have to get up for work next morning. ---
**Author:** ![JessEnigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cdc98d/32.png) [@JessEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessEnigma)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/13 "2002-04-28T22:14:33Z")
I always lie on my stomach, with my arms crossed underneath either me or my pillows. My book sits on the empty expanse between the pillows underneath me and the end of the bed. I really can’t read Brady style because my bed frame is on wheels. If I lean against pillows, I end up finding my top half wedged between the wall and my bed because the bed slipped out from underneath me. jessica ---
**Author:** ![kiffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d78d45/32.png) [@kiffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiffa)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/14 "2002-04-28T22:37:12Z")
I start on my back and then move to the side facing away from the light. ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/15 "2002-04-28T22:37:43Z")
Lying on my side, with one elbow propping me up. When that arm gets tired, I switch sides, and occasionally lie on my stomach, but only if both sides are completely tired. For me, the most unnatural, unenjoyable position to read in, is the Brady position Ugghh. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/16 "2002-04-28T22:47:50Z")
Brady style. I usually sit propped up against the pillows, knees pulled up, book resting on my knees. I can’t lay on my stomach and lean on my elbows for a long time. It just gets uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/17 "2002-04-28T23:50:12Z")
**Goo** style. I can’t read on my stomach [small](my chest gets in the way)]/small], and I can’t doze off reading on my back. CJ $.02 US ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/18 "2002-04-28T23:51:44Z")
Blasted coding! CJ ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/19 "2002-04-29T01:10:08Z")
I change position about every five minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132/20 "2002-04-29T01:33:31Z")
Generally lying on my side with the book either on the bed or propped on the other pillow. Occasionally on my back with the book either propped on my chest or held up in one hand, depending on whether it’s hardcover or paperback. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-position-do-you-prefer-while-reading-in-bed/106132.md?page=2)