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Recommendation sought - Night time activity

(18 Posts)
Icebreaker Fri 26-Sept-25 15:01:46

Hello Fellow Readers,

I love to read in bed at night, but I worry about the light disturbing the person next to me.

Can anyone recommend one of those little ‘headlamp’ type of things? I know night time runners and dog walkers use them, but I don’t want anything so bright, it lights up the whole park.

I’m aware there are a confusing array of them to choose from on Amazon (which I prefer not to support), but I would really appreciate a personal recommendation of a good brand that is adjustable (brightness wise).

Thanks so much, hoping for some ideas!

AGAA4 Fri 26-Sept-25 15:09:40

Waterstones sell lights that you can fit on your book and only lights up the page. I think the head lamps are quite bright and may light up the room.

hulahoop Fri 26-Sept-25 15:19:04

You can get lights what fix to book on Amazon only problem I find is having to remove it to turn page.

Skydancer Fri 26-Sept-25 15:44:30

Why don’t you just read before going to bed. Then go to bed and sleep. I’m not trying to be funny but if my husband wanted to read whilst I was trying to sleep I’d be extremely grumpy.

Su22 Fri 26-Sept-25 16:18:55

Bought a Kindle to download books onto, best thing I ever did doesn't disturb the other half, and I don't lose my page when I fall asleep reading smile

Jaxjacky Fri 26-Sept-25 16:28:41

My husband reads after I put my lamp out, he uses non prescription glasses that have two little led ‘spotlights’ these aim at the book and are recharged via usb.
Amazon - doesn’t disturb me at all.

Maggiemaybe Fri 26-Sept-25 16:29:43

Yes, that’s why I have a Kindle too. Well, that and the fact that I can download books for free from our library service. Which is some consolation for our two local libraries having closed down.

Icebreaker Fri 26-Sept-25 16:42:23

Thank you for the ideas and comments everyone.

I have tried the ‘clip onto the book’ style light, and I too found it a bit fiddly. It moved about annoyingly, and was a nuisance to clip and un-clip.

It’s nice and warm in bed! So I like to get really tired from reading, then just close the book and shut the light off, and fall asleep. My mind works overtime otherwise, and I can’t nod off.

The Kindle idea is worth exploring. I wonder if I could transfer library books to a Kindle? I rarely buy a new book. I mainly read borrowed or 2nd hand books, charity shop purchases, or books from the shelves of homes I’m house sitting at.

I’m aware that most libraries allow downloading of E books, but I’ve never done it. I definitely should look into that option, thanks Su22.

Icebreaker Fri 26-Sept-25 16:44:40

Ooohh… comments coming in thick and fast! I missed the two above.

Another endorsement for Kindles, and I’ve never heard of reading glasses with spotlights! Wow. Must Google them!

Icebreaker Fri 26-Sept-25 17:11:27

Oh! I’m looking at Kindles for sale, and reviews of them on Argos website. In July this year, someone asked the following

Can I download library books?

Hello, from the information we have available, unfortunately no, you can’t download Library books on this Amazon Kindle 2024 6 Inch 16GB Wi-Fi E-Reader. It is not compatible with BorrowBox. Thank you for using Argos Q&A.

Do I need a ‘special’ Kindle, or do I need a library that doesn’t use Borrowbox?

ferry23 Fri 26-Sept-25 18:14:05

I have a Kobo e-reader, and use that for library books - no problems. I don't want Amazon controlling what I can and can't read!

I originally bought an e-reader when they first came out for travelling rather than packing loads of books but I wouldn't be without it now, I use it all the time and you can also get loads of books from their website for 99p.

Backlit, so you don't disturb anyone else.

Maggiemaybe Fri 26-Sept-25 18:39:27

My Kindle is much older than the one you’re looking at, Icebreaker. It’s a Fire HD 6 from 2015, and it works with the three services offered by my library. Two are ULibrary and CloudLibrary. I also managed to get Libby on it, though my library staff told me it wasn’t compatible and I keep getting warning messages saying my device is too old (just before it opens the book smile).

As far as I know BorrowBox, also offered by my library, is just for audiobooks, which I download to my phone to listen to on my more boring walks.

Icebreaker Sat 27-Sept-25 08:40:31

Thank you Maggiemaybe, for taking the time to give me all that useful detail. I’m getting more confidence in the whole idea now.

And ferry 23, thank you too. I have found some articles comparing Kobo to Kindle, and I think I may come out in favour of a Kobo.

Cheers M’dears

Astitchintime Sat 27-Sept-25 08:51:16

My new Kindle is back-lit and I love it. I can turn the brightness up and down and there’s countless books on Amazon either free or around 99p so I don’t bother with paper books now which would have to be brand new as I cannot bear the thought of grubby looking paperbacks.
I had to have a new Kindle as my old one bit the dust when the battery wouldn’t charge anymore, I did have it for a very long time though and got a £5 voucher when I took it for recycling

Jenz48 Sun 28-Sept-25 20:56:28

I too like to read during the night when I can’t sleep and I download ebooks from the library onto my iPad so I can have the light dimmed. Ebooks also come in audio versions so I can listen through headphones in the dark so DH isn’t disturbed.

Dontcallmelove Sun 28-Sept-25 21:12:03

Icebreaker I’m intrigued about how many people you have sleeping next to you!

If you have an iPad you can download a kindle app as well as borrow ebooks and audio books from your library.

Allira Sun 28-Sept-25 22:15:41

I have two Kindles, one very old and the other a bit newer. They're much lighter and easier to hold if reading in bed.

You can find free books on Amazon or cheap ones for 99p.
I read books too but not usually in bed.

DH could sleep through most things but if it disturbed him, I'd buy a Kindle with a light.

Why don’t you just read before going to bed. Then go to bed and sleep. Skydaner I just have to read to get to sleep!

Sadgrandma Sun 28-Sept-25 23:10:07

I love my Kindle and wouldn’t go back to reading books now if you paid me. It has a backlight and the brightness can be adjusted and, if you are a Prime member there are many free books. Otherwise there are many at 99p and even best sellers are usually considerably cheaper than paperbacks. The best thing I find is that you can download a sample of a book which allows you to read the first few pages free before purchasing it. How many times have you bought a book and. after the first few pages, decided you didn’t like it? Well on a Kindle you can just delete it and find another book.