The reading stand that I use is a recipe book holder (see here for a pic of the one that I have -- I just picked a listing on ebay, and there are others cheaper at the bottom of the page I viewed). It is robust enough for textbooks, and wide enough that I can balance it on my stomach/legs when lying in bed. I also use it for the laptop when lying on my back in bed, because it tilts the keyboard and screen nicely.