+1. Building a little bit of hand/arm strength also isn't a bad idea for a computer profession, to help reduce the risk of RSI.

Are you trying to support the book completely with your hands? I do a lot of reading while laying down with the book on my stomach or sitting with the book on a table or propped up on my knees. The only time I'm holding the book in the air is when I'm walking or cycling.

I used to suffer from various small pains, even a Quake2 induced pain in the dorsal side of the hand, and they stopped when I started to use a bike and lift weights.

I actually have tried this. I own the iron mind grippers and can successfully close the second one 3-4 reps. But ultimately I have pain that comes back when I start to hold a book, especially a large one.

If you can only do 3-4 reps you need to go to the level below that one. You also need to build forearm strength, which you can do with a dumbbell and forearm curls. Your goal is endurance, so many reps at a lower weight. Bicep curls wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

Good point! Sometimes the most obvious things just need to be pointed out for me to be like, eureka!

Do you use the grippers?