What do you need to read?

What do you need to read? A book is my answer. Of course I am taking things like some light, natural or otherwise, and the literacy of the reader for granted.

I have never needed anything more than the book. Not even a bookmark. This is probably because there was a time when I finished a book at one ago. Sadly, such times have long passed. Mostly, I just placed the book open and face down to mark the page that I was reading. After being constantly yelled at by my sister who likes her books (and indeed other possessions) well preserved, I started using anything -flyers, paper covers, question papers, boarding passes-that was lying around as a bookmark. This is how I have been reading for a long long time and I did not think I was missing anything. However, I recently chanced upon this website that offered “tools for serious readers”. I consider myself as serious a reader as they come and I had to find out more.

Every good business has a charming little story about its origin and Levenger has its own. A young couple moved into their first home and there was not enough lighting for both of them to read. A flashbulb popped (I could not resist that) and with it came the idea of peddling halogen lamps-a new type of lighting eighteen years back-for serious reading. The couple sold their first new car, combined their retirement funds and their surnames to form Levenger. They began small by selling “serious lighting for serious readers”. Since then they have moved on from lamps to selling items-briefcases and totes- that are not strictly aids in the process of reading.

But, it is the section offering “Reading tools”-bookstands & holders, bookmarks, clips & cutters, bookweights, bookcovers and magnifiers-that interested me. I had a good look at the collection and as a bibliophile I have to say that
a. A bookmark clock is a rotten idea.
b. Given $24, I would buy a book every single time rather than aforementioned item.
Also, I am at a loss to understand how a Crosscut Stainless Steel Shredder ($299) qualifies as a reading tool. The most eccentric “serious reader”, and as a category of people eccentricity is more probable in this group, is unlikely to shred a book after reading it.

But, there are many beautifully designed items here and I confess that the "Lichfield bookstand" ($328) is very tempting. Clearly, the items on sale here are tools for the “serious shopper” or the “serious collector” rather than the "serious reader".

Steve Leveen, Levenger's chief executive has written a book ''The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life”. A reviewer of the book says of Leveen, “His customers have snapped up his tote bags and bookmarks, but when it came to what they really needed — more time to read — he was unable to help.” A very valid point. I was mistaken when I thought that all needed in order to read was a book. Time is a valuable and important reading tool and I will be glad to look into any catalog that sells it. I can get by quite well without book covers, book weights and magnifiers. I will have a look at the "Lichfield stand" though when I become a millionaire.