I've been considering ordering a couple of these but wanted some input from previous users. Are they durable? Do most of the books you have fit in the sizes available? All opinions welcome. Thanks.

Ok, I'm slow (and a newbie).. what's a bookmate?

I suppose I should investigate before I ask..

BookMate I is a book cover/book holder designed for a standard, mass-market paperback book sized up to 4-1/4" wide x 7-1/4" high. This is the size of the vast majority of paperback books. Constructed of rigid paperboard, covered in heavy vinyl, BookMate protects your paperback during travel and is durable and easy to clean with just a damp cloth. It holds the thinnest to the thickest novels, and may even hold 2 books when traveling! It effectively turns your paperbacks into hardbacks and then holds them open for easy, one-handed (or even hands-free) enjoyment, incorporating E-Z Flex page turning. No matter where or when you read, you need a BookMate! Whether on the train or bus, at home or at work, on vacation or just lounging around the house, you'll always want your BookMate handy. Check out all the colors and patterns. There's one for every personality and style. Once you try a BookMate, you'll wonder how you ever got along without one!

They sound like a nice idea but I think they would be a pain because I would be switching the book every day.

I got a bookmate a while back.  I got the standard sized one and it fits all my mmp's. I used it and really tried to like it but I just don't.  it's very rigid and I don't care for the way it turns the pages. I found it was more work to use it.  I like my soft book cover much better.  I know that there are others who really love them so I guess it's like anything else..sometimes you have to try it to see if it fits you.

I saw them in person when i met Robert at the festival. They are pretty neat. It holds the pages open and has a bookmark and all. I might ask for one for Christmas

I love my bookmate. I want one for TP and HC (trade paper and hard cover) too. Right now I just have one for paper backs. Its really durable well everything except for the built in bookmark. Mines hanging on for dear life but it started falling out soon after I started using it. I dont have any difficulty turning the pages in it. You bend the bookmate in to turn the pages then let it fall back open. I use it for every standard size paper back I read. Id love to have one for other sizes too cause it makes it so much easier for me to read. Plus a bonus is that if you fall asleep while reading (a frequent occurance for me when Im sick which lately is all the time) then you wont lose your place in the book. Its so great. As for the books fitting I only have the smallest size but I havent come across a paperback that wont fit in it even the 800+ page copy of Roots I had. Plus if you read two books at once you can fit two meium sized books in it at once.

I have the one for the trade-size (larger) paperbacks.  I love it.  It protects my book - I can just toss it in my purse and go (because I do NOT leave the house ever without my book!!).  Plus I can read while I eat, exercise, even while I'm stopped at red lights - yes I do that :-b.

I have one too and I love it .  It really saves my hand(s) from strain, protects the books and since my son likes to pull my bookmark out of books I just leave it open rather then mark my page.  It's also easy to use.

I actually have two, bought one for my Mom, but since she rarely reads paperback anymore, she gave it back.

If anyone wanted to try it I would send one free with any paperback order on my shelf.

PM me if you want the bookmate with your order.

Bookmate is gone, thank you all.

I have one but I just never use it.  BUT!  As you can see, others have them and love them.  I'm just too lazy to fool with mine, I think.

I have them, use them & love them. Keeps the book nice & clean & eliminates the spine creases. I don't use the attached vinyl bookmark, tho. Great to use when you're reading in bed - easier to hold. Once you have learned the nack of turning the pages, it does get easier to use.

I don't use mine at home, but always use it when I go anywhere. I keep a book with me where ever I go and it keeps it neatly, safely protected.

I don't use mine at home, it seems like too much work.

However I took it on vacation with me and looooved it at the airport and on the plane.     Plus it covered up a smutty cover quite nicely. lol

Actually its less work for me. I can lay a pillow on my tummy and prop my book up on it and then be hands free to pet the cat or eat or just about anything.

Chris : Good Idea I  will have to try useing my bookmate that way.

LOL I actually used to put it on the hood of the stove while I was cooking too. We dont have a hood on the stove at this house though. I'll find something to prop it up on eventually and I can read while I cook again.

I have both sizes and love them. I bought one for my mom and she really likes hers too.

Dory

I have three smaller ones and one tradesized one (couldn't make my mind up about the colors, so I just got them all!  lol).  I LOVE them.  They keep my book nice and protected and the covers are nice.  It also makes it easier for my sister to find when I ask her to bring me my book.  I have a 630 page book in mine right now and it fits fine. 

The page turning does take some getting used to, but I really like how it holds the book open for me.  It helps with having to hold the book open. 

I love it since it keeps the books open hand free while I use the eliptical or exercise bike. 

I ended up getting three. Two in the smaller size and one in the larger size. I was like Kristen and couldn't make my mind up on the style I wanted.

Huh.  I have a book cover I bought from Levenger 10-15 years ago; I assumed that these were the same (except vinyl - eww), but the page turning thing is different.  Can someone explain in more detail how that works?

Thanks!

Denise

FYI on the bookmates:  The maker has come out with an improved version because they felt the older version was not sturdy enough and it didn't accomodate the taller "Easy to read" versions of paperbacks.  The main reason for the change though is that the snaps on the strap pulled out with heavy usage.  I have two of them, regular and trade sized and love them. It did take some getting use to but once I did I found them to be really great.  

PBS does not currently have the new and improved versions so you may want to buy direct.  It's cheaper that way too, especially if you are buying multiples for gifts.

To see how the page turning works or to see the new version go here: http://www.bookmatestore.com/index.htm

The previous versions with the more varied styles are still sold but at a different website. They are at bookmatesplus.com now. That's where I ordered mine.

They just seem like too much work for me.  I ended up making cloth book covers for when I travel, but making your own pattern, cutting and fitting is a lot of trouble too.

Yes, you can still buy the older versions with more varied styles, but if  ordering for the first time I'd still go with the newer versions.  The manufacturer changed them for a reason-problems with the design.

I have a fabric cover I use to use, but it didn't hold the pages open while reading and since I have major issues with my hands that was a factor for me.  The bookmates are much easier on the hands. 

I just got one last week and haven't used it yet.  I'll be taking a book with me this evening, so if I remember to put it on, then I'll give it a test run.   Carol Ann