Does a magazine or classic novel take longer to read than it used to ten or 15 years ago? As parents get older, they notice that books require more concentration and focus, causing the activity of reading to take up more time.

They start to check out large print books at the library.  They purchase an Amazon Kindle e-reader, so they can automatically enlarge the text on common standard text only publications like the USA Today and The Economist.  They also notice it is more difficult to read at night. So they add a new floor lamp next to the living room sofa.

But they quickly start to notice limitations to these solutions. The large text books are available in small quantities and are limited to best sellers. The ebook publications expenses start to add up.  Also, the lamp only provides light in the living room, making it impractical as an everyday solution.

Companies noticed these trends and created a few very helpful devices that magnify normal size text or add a light ring around the outside of the text, so it can be read at night or in a dark room.

The LightWedge Paperback Book Light is designed to fit standard commercial paperbacks and adds a discrete light from the edge. The light is created from LEDs. The light is so concentrated and won’t spread far and disrupt people next to you. It’s a clever and simple device that makes reading possible throughout the bedroom, while relaxing in the living room, or flying on an airplane. Plus, it lasts over 40 hours on AAA batteries.

In order to magnify newspapers and maps, Carson Optical created the PageMagnifier 2x. It’s another simple solution that can a make a big difference for anyone having difficulty reading the latest news or trying to find their way when lost.  The device is large enough to cover items that are bigger than books. It is lightweight , has a shatterproof lens, and is solid so the magnification is constant throughout the page, unlike flexible magnifiers. The PageMagnifier 2x also eliminates the need for a handheld magnifying lens that can cause wrist strains when reading large items.

These are low-tech, inexpensive, and practical solutions that can make your life easier. If you have used any other reading devices that made reading easier for you, please leave a comment or contact the IM Blog. Also, check out the full selection of reading devices at the IM Store to find other high quality reading lights for your book or laptop.