Abstract: A portable illumination device for reading material in dark or underlit environments. This illumination device is operable upon the opening of its book-like folded covers and upon the tilting of the device to a pre-set angle or greater to close a circuit containing a mercury tilt switch, battery and sources of illumination. Once the device is properly positioned, the plurality of individual illumination sources are activated to illuminate the reading material placed therein. A reading bar incorporating a magnifying glass can be slid along the reading material so as to magnify or highlight such material for easier reading thereof. The tilt switch and battery power sources are preferably located along the spine of the device.