Abstract: The book holder has a work surface with a shelf and straps so that a book and similar materials can be securely held on the work surface. The work surface has an adjustable leg and has a supportable surface which has an inflected curvature with positive curvature portions so that the work surface can be supported on the person using the book holder in positions ranging from the person's thigh to the person's upper body and so that, while supported in any of these positions, the work surface can be oriented about three orthogonal axes to suit the needs of the person and the work. The work surface has weighted ligaments which hold down pages of the book so that the pages can be turned with a mouth stick or commercial page turner.