A Brace of Bookmarks
As a voracious reader bookmarks are essential to keeping order as I travel through books.
Dogearing pages is simply not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Civilized readers do not crisp back page corners. Unless it’s the latest Costco flyer.
I’m on the fence about notes and highlighting. That’s a different topic and post.
Concerning bookmarks…
I have a brace of bookmarks ready for use spread through the house. Some are genuine bookmarks with various designs while others range from a ubiquitous fluorescent sticky note to a variety of postcards to my current favorite: Smokey the Bear.
There is something satisfying about firmly wedging a bookmark into my current read. It’s a decisive action signifying a promise to return. <Ooh, a feel the need to work this out as a PB story>
And sometimes the return is immediate; other times it takes it takes a bit longer. Like my Oxford Book of American Poetry. It has plenty of tiny bookmarks indicating favorite poems waiting to be reread. Other standby reads include Psalms, which I savor before going to bed. Like faithful sentinels these bookmards remain on duty, assuring they will easily guide me back to where I last left off.
The library recently displayed a collection of ephemera; those bits found in books that are donated. Photographs, receipts, tracts, love notes, clippings, leaves, as well as actual bookmarks. As I process donations, I collect these bits of personage, and save them, wondering about the stories behind them. Over the past year enough ephemera was collected to fill three poster boards. I wonder if people viewing the display recognize their lost bits, if they are saddened if they inadvertently gave away something cherished with that copy of Tom Clancy’s latest adventure novel.
Well, on to a new book. Smokey is already waiting for me.
P.S. As I opened my latest read these two bookmarks were waiting for me. Serendipity.
What is your favorite bookmark?
Pam Webb 
Before the internet, I used to order books from sellers all over the country. Most came with a bookmark stamped with the store’s name, which I’d add to my collection. Over time, it grew into a small archive. Still, in a pinch, I reach for a sticker from the stack I had made for my blog. Honestly, I got so proud of my collection, I mostly use the stickers and just take out my collection from time to time and leaf through them. Silly.
Bookmarks are underrated art. Thanks for sharing.
I also am firmly opposed to dog-eared pages. Putting in a bookmark is somehow satisfying. It provides order in our lives. I don’t like wasting time trying to figure out where I left off.
Bookmarks are nifty for sure. Thanks, Pete.
I think I am the only person I know who keeps a notebook with page numbers written on it. They serve as bookmarks. But more importantly, the notebook also contains notes and important lines from books – I cannot tolerate writing on books.
I have done that as well. In college I would mark up my books out of convenience, yet always felt it was a naughty act of defiance, almost like I was littering. I came to my senses later on and now I either have a jillion little of fluorescent flag markers in my books or have created a paged journal like you mention.I do so like clean pages when I read a book.
My favorite bookmarks are the ones for my books! I can wait to give kids the ones for my new book THE OCEAN’S HEART! But the ones for DUST are gorgeous, too!!
Of course, that should be “can’t” instead of “can” LOL…
I love bookmarks, and I also find it very satisfying to wedge it into a book. I have wooden ones given to me by past students, and bookmarks from authors. Honestly, my favorites are from our public library; some highlight books, and many are done by school children.
Sounds like you have a wonderful collection, plus you have the opportunity to instill the love of reading into students.
Yes, I do! Lucky me. Thanks, Pam.