The Thumb Thing purports to reduce hand strain and fatigue while freeing your other hand for taking notes, quaffing a beverage or petting your pooch.

The Thumb Thing bills itself as good for rail and bus commuters, especially if they have to read standing up. When the reader is finished, the Thumb Thing fits in the top of the book as a place marker. It comes in four sizes.

We haven’t tried the Thumb Thing yet, but here’s what’s bugging us: the thumb in the photo is straight up and down in the center of the book. Try that position at home, and Thumb Thing or not, it puts your wrist, hand and thumb in an uncomfortable-to-hold-for-long position. People just don’t hold books that way.

Eds. Note: In our heart of hearts, we’re wishing, hoping and praying for a Kindle - reviewed here by Seth Godin.

Well, actually, Marty is wishing and hoping and praying. Cait is just wishing and hoping.