I definitely would not take books/ magazines as my hubby ( 6 years post stroke ) can't turn the pages and hold the book , I would recommend getting a
Tablet pillow available from Amazon , it is a foam pillow that you can rest your book,/magazine / mobile phone/ kindle on it sits on your lap or a tray and has been very useful. They cost between £10 & £20 pound . Perhaps a lap tray the type with a bean bag underneath. Or how about a nice Shawl to put on it when gets cold perhaps the type that fits over the shoulder with pockets either side if that makes sense, my DH temp rises and falls quite quickly and getting in and out of a cardigan isn't always easy.