The Sword and Laser discussion
What do You Use as a Bookmark?
I use a bookmark either store-bought, homemade or just a scrap of paper laying around. My husband uses a dollar bill for some reason so I just raid his bookshelves if I need a few dollars.
I use train tickets. UK train tickets are cards about 6x9 cm. Perfect.
Depends...Hardbacks I use #4.
Ebooks I use the reader's built-in bookmark system.
I never used bookmarks until I was in high school. Now I use the free ones that are my local library has, which information about the library. The good thing is if I misplace or lose whne I can always go back and get more.
I just remember the page number :) But, I usually only take a day or two to read a book, so remembering what pag
I usually used one of my business cards. They are a good size and wedge well into the binding so they don't fall out.
I remember the page number... Until I don't and fumble around with a vague idea of where I am.
Often, whatever is handy. I have a few special bookmarks, with pictures of my kids, or a name tag from a conference. But usually it's just a receipt or a scrap of paper that's handy.
I order EBM and Industrial online and they always send coming soon postcards, I use those. Perfect size for everything.
Whatever piece of paper is handy. Often, that's the checkout slip from the library. People have often given me pretty bookmarks that I love, but then never ever use. If I do use a special bookmark, I often misplace it before I finish a single book. That's why I usually use the nearest small slip of scrap paper.
I'm exactly the same as Violinknitter.Primarily for library books it's the checkout slip. Or the old-fashioned card if it's from interlibrary loan.
I prefer the basic paper ones that are about 4-5 inches long and an inch wide, but I lose them.
Fancy ones I dislike. Especially with tassels. Don't tell my elderly relatives that, though.
My all-time favorite bookmarks are old playing cards. Like the paper ones, I like them because they have different designs on each side so I can quickly find my place on the page again. Oh 9 of diamonds, I miss you.
I keep the fancy bookmarks for my collection. If I use a book mark I use the paper freebies or any spare scrap of paper. Most of the time I just remember the page number.While working as a librarian we discovered some unusual bookmarks. In addition to photographs and greetings cards we found a driver's license, an ID card and a tampon wrapper!
I have two really nice metal ones from Chinese universities that I got as gifts in work, though their currently missing, presumably in the pages of some abandoned books. I have a fancy leather one that I won at a convention, it has an annoying tassel and liable to fall out but it's signed by Robin Hobb so I use it a lot anyway. I have a ton of free paper book marks from my favourite bookshop.
Despite all these I'm just as likely to use some scrap paper to mark my place. The Irish duty label of a pack of cigarette folded in two works particularly well.
I have some freebies I use and I like to use the flap of the dusk cover with my hard backs.
I don't need a bookmark anymore...the Kindle app remembers where I left off. I have seen the future and print media will only be for special editions.When I do occasionally read an actual book any scrap of paper will do...
I will confess to dogearing the pages of paperback books, they are disposable.
It really varies for me. A large part of my reading now is digital, so the electronic bookmark is my "main" thing. :)For dead tree books, I usually have an index card lying around easily available that I use. When I read Infinite Jest, I bought two "Oriental Rug" bookmarks (one for where I was in the main book, one for where I was in the footnotes). I like them, though so does my cat--he likes the fringes and will attack my bookmark (and by extension, the book and me) from behind.
I use post-it notes. Especially the little narrow ones. I can mark the page and the line where I left off.
I always use a playing card, I think they're perfect; they have the perfect size/consistency and they have a face that I can use to mark a certain page. Just find an old deck of cards and you should have plenty new bookmarks
Lately I've been using bookmarks that I crocheted (well, when I'm not reading my Kindle, of course). They're thong-style bookmarks with a design on one end and a loop on the other. That way when I'm reading, I can put the big end through the loop and wear it around my wrist like a bracelet... so I don't lose it. ^_^;
Leighann wrote: "Lately I've been using bookmarks that I crocheted (well, when I'm not reading my Kindle, of course). They're thong-style bookmarks with a design on one end and a loop on the other. That way when I'..."Those are nice! I never thought of knitting any bookmarks. I've cross-stitched a few, though, for various literacy fundraising thingies.
It's weird I'm just now realizing that I really don't use bookmarks anymore since I've gone Kindle.
I used toilet paper for years. It was then and wouldn't damage the books. I also used tissue paper but not as often.
Whatever is nearby. Junk mail, postcards, letters, kleenex... Ive tried using actual bookmarks but I forget to take them out and they disappear (this is why I don't have nice things, she says sarcastically). Sometimes I try to just remember the page number but I have too much in my short term memory these days.
Side note, I do a lot of audiobooks. Lately it seems that my iPod Touch and iPhone lose my place when I sync. I've taken to doing a "virtual bookmark" by using the screen capture feature on the iOS devices and taking a snapshot of where I am before hooking into my computer.
Warren wrote: "Small flat elves"Better not read Lady Coddington's Pressed Fairie Book, then. You'll never find your place.
I use ephemera associated with my life at the moment--boarding passes for airplanes if I'm traveling, conference programs etc. Years later when I reread the book, the papers are still there and remind me of things I would otherwise have forgotten. When I de-clutter my shelves and donate boxes of books I first have to fan each book's pages to make sure I don't leave an old credit bill (e.g.) in it by accident.
terpkristin wrote: "Side note, I do a lot of audiobooks. Lately it seems that my iPod Touch and iPhone lose my place when I sync. I've taken to doing a "virtual bookmark" by using the screen capture feature on the iOS..."Why haven't I though to do this!?
I don't use bookmarks. I just remember the page number. it helps that I don't read many books at the same time.
For the last 10+ years I have been using a few Conan the Barbarian trading cards as book marks.
Paul wrote: "For the last 10+ years I have been using a few Conan the Barbarian trading cards as book marks."I did not even know there was Conan the Barbarian trading cards. You learn something new everyday.
I've settled on three non-electronic bookmarks for any unkindled books:(1) Magazine subscription cards (which seem to arrive in blizzards when one flips through any magazine pages);
(2) lembas wrappers (though those are only for epic fantasies -- this covers all sword-ish novels);
(3) refurbished tesseracts (cheaper than new) for anything laser-ish.
I've been trying to find some appropriate material for books that are both sword and laser. Rather than the flattened elf from earlier, perhaps a flattened Ewok?
Paul, I couldn't believe I had made it 40 messages into this thread before someone mentioned my favorite: magazine subscription cards. They are stiff and heavy enough to hold up to a bit of abuse and bending, yet disposable enough to not care if they do get lost or damaged somewhere. Before I got my iPad I had a pile of them next to my bed stand, now I just try and keep a couple. If I don't have a card, I will use just about any scrap of paper, but I don't like anything thicker, because I really do try and keep the spines on my paperbacks in good shape. Oh and I do use the built in ribbon on my "Bloom County" collections. Would be nice if more hardcover books would do that.
Always 4, either some form of invite or my iphone. The iphone poses the same problem as the remote... it almost always drops out.Whenever I use real bookmarks they attack my books - tear them or bend the pages.
Graeme wrote: "I don't use bookmarks. I just remember the page number. it helps that I don't read many books at the same time."I used to do that as a kid, but now I have too many things on my mind. Plus, you know, getting old.
Kevin wrote: "Paul wrote: "For the last 10+ years I have been using a few Conan the Barbarian trading cards as book marks."I did not even know there was Conan the Barbarian trading cards. You learn something n..."
You can pick them up for cheap on eBay. But that's mostly because Conan's ERA sucked.
Currently it's the wrapper from a straw...any random piece of paper is fine.
Adrienne wrote: "terpkristin wrote: "Those are nice! I never thought of knitting any bookmarks."I wish I could use knitted bookmarks. It'd be a great way to use up yarn scraps after a project, but my cat would ju..."
I'll tell you about an old favorite trick of mine to use those yarn scraps... Get a bit of yarn a little more than three times th height of the book. Tie a slip knot. Open the book to the center (or near center). Slip the loop over either side of the book so that it runs down between two center pages. Tighten the slip knot so that the free end is at the top-center of the book. Now you have a long tail at the top of the book that can be folded top to bottom to mark any page you need! Cool, eh?
For years, I used a business card-sized print out of Andy Looney's Brain (http://www.wunderland.com/WTS/Andy/Br...). It was printed on paper that was lighter than a business card, but more stiff than normal paper. Then, a couple of years ago, my daughter printed out a bookmark from the Super Why website and asked me to use it. So that's what I use for physical books now. Doesn't work well with ebooks, though.
The receipt from purchasing the book or whatever is lying nearby. My wife folds the corner of the pages. Drives me insane. She also can't make it through a paper back without destroying the binding. If we happen to want to read the same book I always buy two copies.
I use the bookmarks that my local library gives out. Does anyone stick them out sideways to mark paragraphs that you have stopped midway down a page?-DavidG
Therazor wrote: "I use the bookmarks that my local library gives out. Does anyone stick them out sideways to mark paragraphs that you have stopped midway down a page?-DavidG"I pick a point on the paper -- like the logo or something else distinctive -- and use that as my "spot indicator." I've been doing it for so many decades now that it's completely subconscious at this point.
I use a sticky to denote paragraphs. I tend to throw books into my bag when I'm reading dead tree versions (especially paperback), so non-affixed things might get lost.
For years now I've been using Book Bungees made by Levenger whenever I read a paperback. These are great because the elastic holds the bookmark in place, and the book closed, thus protecting the book and keeping your place. It also means that if the book falls, or bounces around in your backpack, you don't lose your page. For hardcover books, I use either one of several leather bookmarks I've been given over the years, or something which was given out by a store at some point.
I just find a piece of paper. I would never fold the corners
At some point or another I have used all 4. Mostly I go with whatever is lying around. I also have a cloth cover to protect my books while I am reading them which has a built in bookmark, and I will often use that.
The Sword and Laser
Books mentioned in this topic
Into the Wild (other topics)Endymion (other topics)
A Blight of Mages (other topics)
Infinite Jest (other topics)
There seem to be several categories:
1) Fancy store bought ones.
2) Something of sentimental value, such as a photograph.
3) Freebies given away by book publishers, bookstores etc.
4) Whatever happened to be lying around (changes from book to book).
Personally I have several on my nightstand that fit into all the above categories, including 2 from Lord of the Rings with tassels and a 'ring' attached, 3 from the TV show Babylon 5, various ones from bookstores, an Iron Man movie ticket stub and my favorite, one with a Chow Chow dog on it.
I hope there is nobody out there who folds down the corners!