Contents

Preface

The story of reading.fun started in 2020, a period when I used all that time at home to learn new things, including the addictive hobby of 3D printing. A search for interesting models to print turned up a curious tool that could be used to hold open a book's pages with a thumb. It was awkward in the hand, though, so I was inspired to try to design a better one. Down the rabbit hole I went.

After teaching myself 3D modeling, I had something that worked better, so I printed one for myself and shared the model STL file online to pay it forward to other printers. Years later, I revisited the model on an indoor tinkering day, improved the design, and again uploaded it for free. Over time, those nameless "Book Thing" models accumulated hundreds of positive reviews, and they have now been downloaded over 12,000 times. This simple tool clearly resonated with readers around the world.

When friends and family started suggesting that try to sell the Book Thing, I resisted the idea for a long time. Productizing something is much harder than giving away free samples, defects included, printed in whatever cheap, uninteresting printer filament I had laying around. Over time, the idea of polishing the concept into an attractive product grew into a project. After many iterations of design and refinement, I think I have arrived at something that people will find both functional and delightful. I call it the Reading Ray because the shape reminds me of a sea ray, and it helps you glide through your reading like a ray glides through the water.

Building this site has also been a labor of love. I wanted to create something that didn't look like every other e-commerce site on the internet. I've tried to capture and combine two vibes: the paginated experience of reading a book, and also a design simplicity from an earlier age of the internet when most of our reading material was still printed. Trying to achieve that balance in a responsive way, given that most people will first visit on their phone, has been a fun challenge.

Making Reading Rays has also taken on new meaning as a response to the unyielding encroachment of technology into our lives. On top of the algorithmically-tuned dopamine drip feed of social media, artificial intelligence blurs our view what is real and even what our jobs may look like in the near future. Today, the act of reading a physical book feels like an act of rebellion, a way to reclaim attention in a world that constantly vies for it, to grasp something tangible, and to be intentional about spending time.

I hope the Reading Ray can make your reading just a little bit more comfortable, more colorful, and more fun.

--Brian

Introduction

The Reading Ray helps hold a book’s pages open for comfortable, one-handed reading. It can be used for a secure grip on an open book with either the thumb, at the bottom of the book, or with a finger, at the top of the book. It's double-sided to fit either small or large books.

Rays are made primarily from polylactic acid (PLA), a thermoplastic made from biomass such as corn starch or sugar cane. The filaments from which the Rays are printed are sourced from a US supplier and manufactured in the US.

Reading Rays are made in a wide variety of colors, textures, and materials, so there's something for every reader. Some are sparkly, some are smooth, some are rough, and some even glow in the dark! The process of making all these different styles was a joy for me, and I hope one (or more) of them brings you joy as well.

Currently, there are 112 different Reading Rays organized into six collections based on the main type of material. Each collection brings a unique look and feel, from the vibrant colors of the Rainbow collection to the premium feel of the Plant, Stone, and Metal collections.

Reading Ray Collections

Each of the six collections of Rays has a unique look and feel to the material. There's something for readers of all personalities!

Rainbow: A vast array of ROYGBIV colors, plus golds, silvers, and neutrals, these Rays can be also metallic, glittery, speckled, smooth, flat, and/or translucent.

Plant: These combine the PLA with plant or wood fibers for a matte look and wood-like surface that doesn't feel like plastic.

Thermochromic: These change to a second color when warmed above about 88°F, such as when held in your hand.

Glow: These absorb ultraviolet light and then emit a soft green glow in the dark. The glow can be charged with sunlight, household lights, or even a UV flashlight.

Stone: The addition of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), the mineral found in limestone, into the PLA gives these a smooth, matte finish, almost like stone.

Metal: A special collection of composites that blend powdered metal into the PLA, these are heavier, have texture, and reveal the metal when worn or polished.