I don't know about those fancy brands, but I bet a knitter could make you a perfectly-fitting pair in the color of your choice (or teach you how to make your own.)

What you need is cyclists' arm warmers (shoulder to wrist) and then Damart fingerless gloves. If only Gus didn't moan when I read in bed, I'd be wearing them myself.

you could always get a reading light and go under the duvet - unless it is a scary book. Would solve the cold-nose problem too.

That's good crafty thinking, H, but I'm a bit allergic to wool. I think Sally might be onto something, although Jenn's idea does sound more fun. Especially with the bonus nose thing. And I do keep a teeny torch under my pillow, what with it being the countryside.

I wonder if the answer is a duvet with a pair of arms sewn into it near the top. You could take your arms out of the sleeves to sleep. Or is that just a bit too weird?

Rob, the answer is obvious - if your partner truly loves you, she'll be happy to hold the book in position and turn page on command - right?:)

Your duvet idea is a titch weird, in my opinion. Auntly's right, and there are plenty of other yarns than wool available to knit with. Ask somebody to knit you a set of sleeves in soft cotton, or cotton/silk, or the like.

Samantha, sadly I'm still searching for the love of a strong-armed woman. Plus the women I like tend not to be very subservient.

Rob, you need a Slanket! http://www.theslanket.com/
I love mine - except when I am trying to get off the sofa quickly to answer the phone, when it can be a bit hazardous...

Claire, that is BRILLIANT, I'm buying one next payday.

When I'm comfort reading on the sofa I wear my dressing gown back to front. Does a great job.

Dee

Can you also use a slanket to play ghosts? A feature like that would really seal it for me. If I were a bit more frivolous.

Well you can certainly use it to pretend to be Yoda so I think it's probably versatile enough for ghosts as well... very seasonal ;-)

Also Katherine, how come when I talk about a duvet with sleeves you call it weird. But when a company makes it, suddenly it's 'brilliant'? I think you have to mark us both the same. So am I brilliant or are slankets weird?

Rob, I guess I was just picturing wee little thermal sleeves sewn with big sloppy man-stitches to a normal flowery comforter. In my imagination they looked weird, like something Buffalo Bill or Leatherface would create. The Slanket seems more organic.

Rob - evening gloves, my dear. You know, the ruched silky things you pull off finger by finger, often in a play by Noel Coward. I think that might also win you the love of a strong-armed woman as well as keeping you warm while reading in bed.

I can't fault your imagination, Katherine. Spot on. And thanks Sarah, but they don't need to be strong-armed if I can hold my own book up without getting chilly. Um, you don't think wearing silk opera gloves to bed would send out confusing messages do you? I'd hate there to be any awkward misunderstandings. It's bad enough that I moisturise.

The answer to the problem is wincyette. Pyjamas and nighties are at their very best when made in wincyette. It feels soft and lovely, and despite it's old lady image it's really rather sexy.
OK. I'm not convincing anyone. But it is very warm, and now I'm older I like that.