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Other book related quirks?/bookmarks
I can't stand cracked spines either and sometimes I will leave my book on the table facedown just so the front cover doesn't bend at all.My bookmark is disgusting. It's a hall pass from February 1999 when I was in 7th grade. I don't know how it became my bookmark and even though it's starting to yellow and now has a slight tear in it, I can't part with it because I don't know what else I would use. The bookmark my boyfriend and I use for the Harry Potter books is the ticket to his senior all night party from 2002.
Joanie, I love Klimt's "The Kiss." It's one of my favorite paintings. I have to believe that if I had a bookmark with it on it I would (maybe) not lose it.
Ken, I love sniffing NEW books! Everytime I open a new book the first thing I do is take a big whiff! I get a lot of grief for this from my family, including my husband who loves to read. I'm not too keen on smelling older books because I've encounterted too much mildew and cigarette smoke! And cat piss, oh my God that's the worst! I never smelled it on a book but we once had a cat who hated my oldest son so much that she used to piss on his shoes and clothes every chance she got so I know how awful cat pee smells!!!
Boof, I'm like the rest of you! I always dig through books until I find the most perfect looking one!And Ken, I adore bookmarks. I don't like using anything else EXCEPT an actual bookmark. I would never fold the corner of a page (hate that)nor will I ever use a receipt. I HAVE to have an actual bookmark, even if it's just a Borders bookmark. I also (blushing now) try to match the color of the bookmark to some color on the cover of my book. I can't believe I just admitted this. I never told anyone, not even my husband, about this!
Okay, gotta put my cents in here:I like to get a clean copy of a new book. I'm paying full store price for it (even if it's discounted), so I better get good quality. But, I won't search through all until I find "the best one", just until I find a good one.
I will not buy books with movie poster covers on them (someone mentioned this before). I'll pass until I can find an earlier version before it was adapted into a movie (or go online, where often you can choose which edition you're buying).
I like bookmarks but can never seem to find one. Plus, a new fun game for my toddler is pull the paper with the string on it out of the book. Ooooh, isn't it cool! So I lose my place. I also grab receipts, envelopes, etc to use, which can often be hid in the middle of books so no one sees them sticking out.
I don't mind dog-eared pages in my paperbacks. I'll never do it with hardbacks--that's what dustjackets are made for. But, I will never dog ear a book borrowed from anyone other than the library.
And I don't write in books. Except my name before I let someone borrow it. Textbooks I did up until my last year of college--but usually I write notes; the repetition enforced my learning.
I like the smell of new books, but I don't remember consciously ever sniffing a book.
I remove the stickers, and if I'm shopping by myself I'll do it in the car or when I stop to eat or something. If my husband's in the car, I'm self-conscious so wait until I get home.
So you're the one that dog-eared every other page in The Accidental Tourist that I just borrowed from the library! LOL
I can't read a hardcover with the dust jacket on it. I have to take it off first so I don't accidentally tear or bend it while reading. I know this tends to defeat the purpose of dust jackets, but I can't help it.
I used to work in a used book store. We had "training" on how to properly take a book off the shelf so as not to crack the spine, particularly for our antique and first edition section. Whenver I see someone pulling a book off the shelf by the top middle and yanking on it, it drives me crazy. I am an avowed book-sniffer, but mostly for used books. In fact, when I used to work at the store I would walk in every day and take a big deep sniff. Then one day we got a huge box of old editions from the library. I stuck my head in the box and took a whiff. Something seemed....off. As I was unpacking I found mouse droppings in the bottom of the box. Shudder.
As far as bookmarks go, I use receipts, envelopes, little torn pieces of kleenex, post-it notes...whatever I can find. Then I generally leave them in the book when I'm done. Including in library books!
The stickers...I tend to leave those on when I buy a book. I remove them once I start reading the book.
I'm the same with dust jackets. I have to remove them... more than anything because they get in the way.
I am so glad to know, through this thread, that I am not alone in my bookish quirks!!
I too hate the stickers on books. My Father actually owns a small Antique and used book store and he is extremely picky about how the books he sells look. He won't buy anything that has been written in, stuck on ect. He has a sign that says you open it you buy it.
I grew up with anal about books. I won't dog tag, stickers ect.
Thanks about the Goo Gone suggestion!
I grew up with anal about books. I won't dog tag, stickers ect.
Thanks about the Goo Gone suggestion!
I don't like the stickers either. Especially when it's over the title of the book. UGH!!One thing that I do when first start reading a book is to smell the pages. Now, I do that every time I pick it up and start reading. I just love the smell of new ones. That's my quirk--smelling them.
I'm just relieved to know I'm not the only one sniffing books...:0) I also have a habit of running my hands over the smooth covers before opening the books. It's a strange little ritual I have.
Book quirks....where do I begin? lol. I love the smell of books. Old and new. As long as there aren't mildewed, that is. I am neurotic about the condition of my books. I always take off dust jackets and use book covers to protect them when I carry them around. Folded pages drive me crazy. I will buy friends bookmarks if I see them folding pages. Cracked spines are the worst! I am so careful with my books that you can barely tell that they are read. Did I miss anything? Crazy, huh? lol
Love all the bookmark junkies on this site. Do you all pick up free bookmarks in stores and libraries and keep them in stacks? I have so many bookmarks- both purchased and free- but I am just as likely to pick up a random piece of paper to mark my place as I am a "real" bookmark.
I like the small little Persian Rug bookmarks.I have 2 of them and they are in the original plastic cases.
I have 2 bookmarks with my son's picture on them (that came with his school picture package)
I used to cross stitch bookmarks and give them away as gifts.
Reading through the posts, I guess I'm weird when it comes to bookmarks. I HAVE to use a bookmark, not a scrap of paper, a receipt, mail, or any other item except a designated bookmark. On another forum I've been posting to for years, some of us long-timers exchanged addresses one Christmas and everyone sent out bookmarks to the others on the list. I received some great regional bookmarks. My favorites include one that contained dried flowers from the Holy Land, one from Jane Austen's home, one from South Australia with pictures of the wildlife, and one made from homemade paper. I think I must have hundreds of bookmarks; I pick them up wherever I find them.
I used all sorts of things for book marks, those cardboard "credit cards", Business cards, Postcards, pictures I cut and put a harder backing on, I even went through a phase where I would cut up small thin cardboard boxes and paint them. Getting creative with the bookmarks is always fun.
Mod
I have even gone as far as , if I go to a coffee place that has Cool to go cups with the waxy stuff inside , I will take them home cut out the pic and press them between books until they are flat. Patrick just rolls his eyes and laughs. That would actually be a great idea Lori!
Mod
I quite like it tho. Ive never made my own bookmarks, but my kids and hubby have given me a few over time... my favorite ones right now are the from school, my oldest gets spring photos taken and they make a few bookmarks with his pic on them... its the cutest thing. I love it!
Last year for my B'day Patrick gave me a Hand drawn picture of a peacock it's about 5 inches long and laminated , then he punched a hole in the end and put ribbons the same color as the peacock plumage on the end. He got a really good friend of ours to draw the picture then he did the rest, himself. For someone who does not get why I read he is very supportive.
I love gifts from people that they made themselves. It's like receiving a part of them. And the thought that goes into it is so heartwarming and meaningful....You are lucky Scott!
My husband makes cards for me for special occassions. He makes up his own sayings and puts pictures of the kids etc. in them. I have saved every one. They are so much better than a hallmark.
Mod
Hmm... Looks like I'm the odd one out when it comes to stickers on books. I actually like it if they have the price tag left on. But only for older, second-hand books. If it's a brand new book, I'll usually take all the stickers off. Unless they're on the back cover. Then they have to stay on.As far as writing in books goes... It depends on the book. If it's something fairly intellectual or open to interpretation, I sometimes like to see the thoughts of previous owners. As long as they're notes are neat and relatively unobtrusive, I actually quite enjoy having them there.
Prices written directly on a book can be okay. They must be inside the front cover though.
I will not stand for dog-eared pages! Drives me nuts, it does.
Dust jackets usually come off and get stored in a safe place. They tend to get in the way when I'm reading and/or get scuffed up. Plus, some books actually have really nice covers underneath those annoying little things.
I don't usually use bookmarks. I prefer just to remember what page I was on. Any bookmarks I do use tend to get lost before I finish the book anyway.
I can't think of any more reading quirks right now. I'm sure there are more though!
Scott, I'm with you. I will use whatever there is as a bookmark. postcards, napkins, business cards, post its. I have enough OTHER book quirks, i can afford to be frivolous about this one. :)
Wow, Ashley - remember what page your on? I find that magical.. I could NEVER pull that off.
Hmm, I also dislike stickers on books. But it only really bothers me when they are on the front. I do prefer to use a bookmark, but I lose them a lot so I usually make myself more. I also like the smell of books. And I always sniff books from library sales and used book stores because I picked up a couple of moldy ones that I ended up having to throw away. I hate throwing away books, so now I sniff them before I buy them.
I love the idea of a bookmark exchange-that's really cool! Of course I can't imagine using a new one in place of my aformentioned favorite but I still love the idea of having bookmarks from all different places.
I LOVE the idea of a handmade bookmark for someone on your friends list, Lori. If we send a message to them with our address does it show publicly? (I don't think it does). The thing is, though, how would we do it without some people being left out and others getting a tonne? The only way I can think of is to do a new thread and each person who posts must make one for the person above then we all get one. What do you think?
That sounds like a good idea Boof. However, if you're not really crafty can you send the person a unique bookmark that you brought?
Don't see why not Jackie. It would be nice to get something unique though rather than something you can pick up in Borders. With regards to making them, I think the more rustic the better which is why I love the homemade idea but in the end it's the thought that has gone into making/buying them that counts I suppose. I'm excited now :o)
I go to the library a bunch, so I'm not too picky. But I HATE the smell of cig. smoke!!! Yukky!!
Kathy, that would be me. I love the bookmarks from my library. They always have themes...e.g "Fiction of the Far East" and "Ecentric Families", that list books that fit that particular category. They also have "If you liked...try... "And they are all different colors!
Museums often have small brochures like that too. Reading lists for exhibits and whatnot. Those are nice too because they have pretty pictures on them.
If you are serious about the making the bookmark thing. Maybe we can choose one person to collect the names of the people that are interested. And that person can then pick the name of the person you would make the bookmark for. Kind of like a Secret Santa.This person could also collect the addresses and be responsible for sending them to the "Secret Santa" as well.
We do something similar to this in Bookcrossing. One person collects the names and once the list is "closed" she sends out the names. Once you get the name of the person, you go out to their wishlist and send them a book off their list for X-mas.
It's a lot of fun!!!
Ooh, Kellie, I LOVE that idea! I nearly suggested Secret Santa actually. Unless Lori wants to organise being the mod then I am happy to volunteer (let me know Lori). I love the idea of sending a book of the persons list too, that's SO cool.
Symbol-I'll join you for the stickers and writing in books.
I peel off the 2 for 1 types, but I love seeing $1 stickers on a $20 book (I'm a Half Price Books bargain shopper).
Also, I love reading a book that has been well used. Of course, I don't like broken spines, but other than that- I love the evidence that other readers have been there before me.
I quilt & sew. I actually make & sell cute fabric bookmarks. I would be willing to toss a bunch in for a secret santa. I have over a thousand made they are coming out of my ears!
I got a book that I had ordered on Amazon today...and it smells like smoke...this sucks.
She'Davia, there is a way to get that smell out. Wrap the book in a paper bag with a few sprinkles of baking soda. You can layer the soda in the pages of the book if you want and put in frig. This should draw the stink out.Also, I would be in on the book mark idea. I am trying to retrain myself to use a bookmark.
Mod
I really cant get involved in something like that. Ive got my hands full of things as it stands now, with the nominating/voting (even tho we are skipping this month), moderating this site is a crazy thing.. hee hee!!
Perhaps, if this is something you guys want to do, someone can take the reigns and run with it!
My biggest peeve is people that bend the pages instead of using a bookmark!
SammesmomI agree with you 100%
Bookmarks are a must, even if it's a sticky note or a reciept.
How can you possibly read without a bookmark? I use several since it's nice to be able to flip to the index or notes section without having to keep finding it. Plus, books are a great place to store notes. All my excess paper ends up inside whatever I happen to be reading.PS I love that smoky smell though surely it's horrible for you.
Kellie,With all the books I am reading at one time, there is no way I could keep things straight without a bookmark. Trouble is that (since I have to keep at least one book in the car with me at all times) most of the bookmarks that I use are from the places I haunt to buy my books. So everytime I check in to this site, oops there's another title I "have to have". The phone number of the bookstore just happens to be on the bookmarker and I just happen to need to call them to see if they have the book on the shelf.
For those of you who fold back the corner of a page, you are made of stronger stuff than I. I could never open the book and see that crease without cringing.
I just had a rememory about bookmarks, so I thought I'd add again...I borrowed a book from a friend one time, and while I was reading, I was enveloped in this wonderful smell. This was a little disorienting because the book was The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon...anyway, half way through the book I found scent card from a department store tucked inside. It made the whole book smell beautiful. I stole the idea and sometimes use a paper wrapping for a green or black tea bag if I can't find a bookmark and don't feel like using random paper bits. Gives the book a nice earthy smell.
That's a great idea, Abigail. I should try that some time with some of my old books. Or, who knows, I may even be persuaded to buy used books! (I mainly don't buy them 'cause I can't stand their smell). YOu guys are sooo funny. I laughed my ass off at all your posts, and felt relieved that I'm not the only one on the planet with those charming quirks *bats eyelashes*. I too cringe whenever I see the corner of the page folded (use a bookmark folding people, that's what they're there for!!), or scribblings on the pages or un-natural creases and tears. How can some people torture a book in that manner is beyond me... Anyway, my serious quirk is that I have to have the bookmark of the book I'm reading. It's not always possible, but I do look for books that have their own personalized bookmarks.
The Next Best Book Club
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You all got me thinking about my books now. I don't smoke but my mum does (but she doesn't read). My books are kept upstairs in my bedroom though (generally with the door shut) so I don't think they smell of smoke. I don't know if I would smell it though? My mum does generally try to keep our house smelling nice though - we have lots of those plug in air fresheners and candles and stuff. I know I've walked into peoples houses before and they have STUNK of smoke... I don't think ours is like that.
Anyway... My pet peeves with books:
Writing - I can't stand writing of any kind in books... highlighting/margins/underlining are big no-nos. I don't mind inscriptions, as long as they are only at the front.
Tears/dog ears/bent spines - I cannot stand this either. I loaned a book to a friend once and she brought it back with a cracked spine and dog eared pages. Needless to say I will NOT be lending to her again! I also try to get the nicest copy in the bookstore. I don't think they move the books around in the bookstores I visit, because only the top one ever looks like it's been touched.
I have 3 bookmarks, and only tend to use one of them, but I'm thinking of collecting them. I like the idea of souveniers Kataklicik...