Here's a variation of the binder clip idea:
First, even a large binder clip won't bite a large portion of a "perfect bound" book.
There's a sort of fan-out that happens, and I find that a binder clip won't hold more than about 50 pages.
So I clip the binder on the lower (or upper) edge of the book.
Second, the binder clip alone doesn't hold most books open.
Instead, with a bit of an angle, you can manage to slip the end of a pencil through one hoop-handle of the binder clip. ...
then rest the spine of the book on your pencil.
Voila!
The book now pulls on the binder and holds itself open.
lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/12348/Craig Constantine
Binder clips might work, but a chip clip might work even better.
The length of the chip clip might be more suitable for keeping the book open.
I don't happen to have a chip clip handy, but I just tested my theory with a pants hanger, which seemed to work fine, and might even be a better option still.
(I think the style on the right might be better for protecting the book binding from damage.)
lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/12002/J.R.
How about using a paper clamp to hold either side together?
lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/11711/Arazio
You can do a search of "book holders.
" I think most works best with hard-cover books, but certain models look like they will work well for paperback books as well, for example these two seem to have longer arms to keep the pages open ->
lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/9411/fuzzy_onesie
This may sound odd, but if you have a glass-top end table, or set of glass shelves, and if you can remove the sheet of glass, then you could open the paperback book and place the glass on top of it on the counter.
The weight of the glass will keep the pages open.
lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/4198/BrettFromLA
A wire rack of the kind made for mail organization will do a fine job of holding paperbacks open, if they aren't too thick.
If you like to read the epics, you might need to get heavy wire cutters or a rotary tool and clip off one of the rack's wire arches to let the thicker book fit; you can use an unaltered slot to hold thinner books.
lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/9830/Zeiss Ikon
I have a new paperback book I want to lay besides me and look at, while I work at my computer.   What are easy-do-it-yourself ways of keeping a book open that wants nothing more than fold together?
Book holder for paperbacks
lifehacks.stackexchange.com
<books>
lifehacks.stackexchange.com/questions/10853
lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/5042/Thorst
There are a few ways of holding a paperback book open, though the simplest might be to use paper clamps or binder clips on either side. If you have a glass-top table, it might be possible to remove the pane of glass and place the book underneath, replacing the pane of glass to hold the book open. A wire rack made for mail organisation may also be suitable for keeping the pages open. The options are to use a binder clip plus pencil, a chip clip, a paper clamp on each side or a wire rack from a mailing room.
Use a binder clip to hold about 50 pages and then slip a pencil through the hoop of the clip to hold the rest open. Use a chip clip. Attach paper clamps to both sides. With glass-top tables, place the book under the glass. Use a wire rack from a mailing room.