I’m sorry, that photo is way too profane, especially during this season of love, tenderness and all that is G-rated. But man, did it ever make me chuckle. And it’s relevant, see, because today’s post is about bookmarks.
I’m currently halfway through The Know-It-All, one of the most hysterical and educational books I’ve ever read (yes, those two adjectives can sometimes appear together in the same sentence). It’s got so many fun facts I want to remember (like for example, did you know René Descartes had a fetish for women with crossed eyes?), so I’ve been folding down the corners of pages I intend to go back to once I’m finished.
The only problem is, it gets confusing when I’m also folding down the page I’m currently on, which may — or may not — have something in it that I want to remember later.
OK, admittedly, I just made it sound way more confusing than it actually is, but I do prefer having a real bookmark. There are so many nice varieties out there, too: demure paperclip-style ones, old-school leather ones, dorky Garfield ones and, my personal favourite, these knitted strawberry ones!
But in my quest to stop buying so much crap, I’m going to only use found bookmarks from now on, that is, pieces of scrap paper like subway transfers, concert ticket stubs and postcards. Still, I’d like to get as creative as possible, so if anyone has any crazy origami patterns they want to pass on or some ideas for crocheting leftover scarf yarn, please do share below!
Photo courtesy of two rabbits on Flickr
See, I fold the top corner for my place mark. And use the bottom corner to mark things I want to remember or look up.
I use the little due date slips of paper that shoot out unasked for when I check out my books at the library.
I use whatever scrap of paper I can grab first, but I LOVE that photo!
I’ve been looking for a bookmark idea to cross-stitch for my well-read BIL and that’s perfect. I already have the bookmark, so no purchase needed, just needed the clever wording…we’re both of a similar nature humor-wise that I know he won’t be offended…
That bookmark would be perfect for this book! Despite the profane title, it is actually quite an amusing read. I picked it up in an airport bookstore of all places.
Omg, Jerad, now I feel like such a tool! Obviously, that’s the most sensible solution…
Please, please don’t fold down the corners of books! Or at least, don’t do it with library books or other books that aren’t yours. If enough people do that, the corners fall off and that makes the pages disintegrate faster and then the library has to buy a new copy because it looks ratty and nobody checks it out.
I’ve always used the grocery receipts or something similar for a book mark. I am that person who loses book marks (and pens) frequently, so I err on the side of cheap. However, I have managed to keep the same bookmark now for about 9 months and consider it a personal triumph.
Okay … this might sound silly, but I always use receipts, movie tickets, whatever I have in my purse as a bookmark. And then, when I’m done with the book, I keep the bookmark with it. The next time I pull the book off the shelf, I have a reminder of the last time I read the book… when it was, what I was doing, etc. I like it because it links the book I was reading to various events in my life. Okay, it totally sounds silly. But I enjoy it!
A few years ago someone gave me a bookmark I love (my cat loves it too, making for some difficult times while reading) but I’ve stuck with the bottom folding just because It’s still ingrained to disregard top foldings for stuff like that.
And don’t feel like a tool, it’s human nature to look for a more complex solution than is necessary. I’ve found quite a few simple solutions from you, so maybe you’re the anti-tool.
Arduous, that sounds like making a mini time-capsule. Nice. And if you lend or give the book away, the next person will get some clues about you while reading the book.
I also sometimes use a blank scrap of paper, that I can take notes on while I read.
Since I usually use library books, or trade my books on Paperback Swap, I don’t fold the corners. Who wants to get a dog-eared book?
I use those annoying little subscription cards that litter magazines as bookmarks. I also use them as coasters, places to write lists, etc. I HATE those thing!
I don’t even fold magazine corners!
I have some homemade bookmarks: I steamed off some postmarked stamps and put them between contact paper, I’ve tied a button to a skinny piece of yarn… lots of options that won’t damage your books!
Heck, I grab whatever’s flat, clean, and at hand to use as a bookmark — I like the button on a piece of yarn idea.
Love the photo, V. How many times have I wanted to say just that??! I cherish my all-too-rare quiet time for reading, and well, I’ve been tempted…