Last week I was asked if I would be interested in reviewing a product called the “Periscope book light: World’s Only Book Light in a BookCover” — in exchange for receiving the product free, to be given to my readers. I figured, why not!? I’ve gone through many a book light in my life, usually in the classroom when I’ve tried to simultaneously grade papers and monitor 38 9th graders watching To Kill A Mockingbird (a wonderful movie but in “BLACK AND WHITE”!?! The horror…). Now that I am out of the classroom, at least for a bit, I still need a book light since I frequently wake up before my husband and love to start my weekend reading in bed.
So, I was very surprised and dismayed to find the book light that arrived was — wonderful. Why was I dismayed? Because in my haste to get the house ready for my mother and grandmother’s visit, I quickly replied to the book light people’s question: “Hardcover or Paperback?” with “Paperback please,” forgetting that while I do read many paperbacks, they are TRADE paperbacks and not mass market. Why does this matter with this particular book light? Because it is also a lovely leather book cover, as well. You slip your book inside the sleeves of the cover and then the light periscopes up from the binding.
So, it was obvious that the books I am currently reading — or have on my shelves — were not going to fit into the cover. Fortunately, my husband does read mass market paperbacks, so I grabbed David Hagberg’s Allah’s Scorpion from his bedside table, slipped it on, played around, and then asked my husband his opinion. He tends to be a man of few words, so his review, “It’s nice” is actually a resounding endorsement, proven by the fact that the cover remained on his book, leaving me to look longingly each night as he reads his well-illuminated novel.
Here are a few more specifics: The light is powered by 3 AA batteries that should provide over 40 hours of continuous light — no cords, etc. so it is great for travel. My husband thought the binding might be a little bulky at first, but quickly got used to it. Once the cover of the book is slipped into the leather cover, it is quite secure and the front cover even has a little pocket. The benefit of the cover design is that the light is always with the book — great for travel. The light is a twin, wide-angle LED light that automatically turns on when you extend the light. The light has a plastic cover that keeps the illumination on the pages and really doesn’t bother anyone near you. The periscope is very adjustable, which is nice, but my mom thought it would’ve been effective to have a “catch” somehow when fully extended. But, unless you really wiggle when you read, I didn’t find this to be an issue. The one suggestion I would make would be to the bookmark which is currently a piece of fabric. I would suggest something like the elastic binding on the moleskin notebooks since the current bookmark could easily become dislodged.
Now, curious about the price? The mass paperback version is priced at $34.95 and the hardcover/trade paperback version is $39.95. Interested in buying one? How about getting one for free?
Unfortunately, the folks at Griffin Integrated decided that my statistics did not merit any more free lights 
Personally, I think 2,000 visitors a month after only 6 months is pretty good! But, what can you do… However, I have wrangled the one they sent me away from my husband and will happily send it to one of my readers. All you have to do is email me the best book you’ve read for discussion and why: kgalles@msn.com. (My preference would be to hear about books beyond the “hot” book club books I reviewed April 14th, if possible). I will then randomly choose one of the emailers and send it along! Remember, it fits mass market paperbacks!
Or, you can go to www.periscopelight.com to learn more.
Looking forward to your emails!!
This book light looks so cute! I would have to say that the best book that I have read lately (for discussion too) is a new release called THE PAINTER OF SHANGHAI by Jennifer Cody Epstein. I just loved it! The beginning reminded me a little of MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, but it’s actually based on a real-life Chinese artist. It’s wonderful!
Thank you, Julie — I just read the review on your site, too, and I’m sold! Since I just finished Snow Flower, I think this sounds like a great follow-up!