How do you treat your books?

I was wondering what everyone thinks is appropriate treatment of a book. Like for me I dont write in them or mark in them in anyway I use bookmarkers I try not to break the spines (sometimes it is unavoidable) I just treat my books with respect seeing that I love them so. The reason I ask is that recently I was accused of not reading a book that I own and let my mother in law read b/c it looked brand new. My father in law was reading it and he marks in his books and writes notes etc, my mother in law takes her to the bath with her and they get wet or they get coffee on them. Right now the book that I lend them is LOST :bawling: I just cant stand the thought of my poor little book out there lost :(

I agree, I try to avoid setting them open face-down, and I won't mark in them or dog-ear them, even if they're scholarly. I don't know why, but it just strikes me as taboo. I don't even use bookmarks--I prefer to just memorize the page number, because I sometimes find the bookmark getting lost or getting in the way.

money or somthing similarly thin Ill use as a book mark but mostly not even thn. That said my favourite book of them all is falling to pieces (secret garden) but in my defence I got given it when I was 5 or six.
:D
On the other hadn I have thrown maths books against the wall and jummped on them in temper ocasionally over the years :D

I use bookmarks, but only paper ones. I hate the little metal or plastic ones that clip over a page; they always wrinkle them up and tug at the binding. I would never take a book into the bath or write in it. I have to do that for school, sometimes (write in them, that is), but I always use pencil and go back and erase it after I've written the paper, because I hate, hate, hate getting a book used and finding that someone's scribbled inside. I find it immensely distracting.

Still, that said, I never manage to keep from dog-earing my books. They all look like well-loved stuffed animals when I'm done with them, because I carry them with me everywhere I go, and I'm too clumsy and careless to keep anything in immaculate condition for long. Text books I'm better at, but the corners are still just a bit softer when I'm done with them.

Hardcovers I usually show some respect; I might underline or dogear crucial pages, but no more.

Paperbacks, on the other hand... I'll break their backs, fold every other page back, write down notes, use the empty pages at the back for a note book, shove them into my backpack, swat flies with them and possibly dump them in the trash afterwards if they're no good. Some people think that's disrespectful... but I kinda like the idea that when I've read a book, that book has been READ. I've physically wrenched every bit of knowledge I can find from it. That particular book becomes a part of my life for the time it takes me to read it. It's like getting the book signed, not by the author but by the reader.

shortysweetp,

Oh, yes I feel much the same!I can't stand ruining any book.I can get very precious with my books- I treat them better than the crystal, Ancestral collectables, kitchen utensils, and furniture!If there ever was a terrible fire, I would take my books, and laptop first; and then try and push my heavy piano out- somehow! I, almost fanatically, like to keep them as perfect as possible.I plan to built up a most extensive library over the years.When I keep on reading one particular book, on subsequent occasions, it will, naturally, become more damage prone.But if it's a library book, then I am not as concerned, as they are usually not in the best condition anyway.I think, eventually, I may run out of room and have no where else to put them all.I have books hiding everywhere.Here, there, sometimes I even surprize myself! I actually wouldn't mind living in a literary museum.Though I collect both fiction, and non-fiction.I'm more than a little obsessed with buying new books.I love the scent of a new book.I've more than once taken poems to bed.Very Delightful! Strangely, I've even dreamed of poems straight after I've read them.Not to mention, conjuring up my own poems in sleep!Yes, I've had some very vivid dreams- come bizarre poetic moments.

*I always mark any page with white paper- never ink- and write down any important details or notes of reference.My favourite bookmarks are The Penguin Classics ones which I received as a complimentary gift with my purchase ( which was quite extensive BTW- so I have a few of each bookmark that was available).They feature a classic book, picture, and quotes- on both sides.I also love my rainbow unicorn bookmark- with a lovely quote- which I have had for many years.Apart from those ones, I mainly prefer bookmarks with magnificent themes of nature; and seasons, breathtaking flowers, delicious fruit, beautiful butterflies, cute dogs, serene dolphins, spectacular oceans, lush ferns, galloping horses, tranquil lakes, or forest trees.I especially like the bookmark theme of ethereal faeries and otherworldly mermaids as well.

I'm with Aurora Ariel--I'm a collector myself, and constantly find myself running out of room...

I too collect books too (maybe that is why i keep them in such good condition) I have about 50 now I know its not a lot but i had to start over after I moved out of my family's house when I turned 18. I left everything behind. and if there was a fire the books would be at the top of the list of things that I would get out. I do use bookmarkers. I actually make my own sometimes. I take a piece of posterboard (thick paper) cut it to the size I want then take a piece of fabric and sew it to the same size. basically making a slipcover for the paper. it is a little thick but hasnt damaged any of my books. I actually made my hubby one that was NY Yankee print. I think its in his Pete Rose book right now. I am thinking of trying several different methods so that I can perfect them.

thank you all for your input I am glad that I am not alone. :D

I'm all about the bookmarks ... but I alwyas lose them. So lately I've been useing everyhting from scrape paper to bus transfer tickets. I like the tickets the best.
As for marking the pages ... I've only ever done it once, and it helped me sooo much for the essay I had to write. But I regret it even still because it was such a stellar book. And I only Dogear them when thier not too wonderful ... but most of the time I don't.
Aww books.

I agree with em about the clips bookmarks, I use paper things, like bus tickets, cinema tickets, anything papery that is in reach when I need it.
It's also hugely annoying when the spine of the books break, there are some editions which never fail to, bad factory :mad: (I'm not sure it makes sense, I mean I have some books from the same publisher and they all broke while I was halfway through them, even the thin ones).
When I was a child I use to make dog-ears everywhere, but now I stopped...
I don't mind treating my books in a way that shows they have been through a battle ;), unless they were very expensive or such...well in the past years I've started to never read a book without a pencil with me, I even had pencils in my pockets at some point when I used to read on the bus. Cos I want to remember the impressions I have while reading and not them down if I feel to and underline lovely bits and now I'm reading a lot in other languages so I write meaning of words over them....

Hey, this is a great thread for this forum.

First, I'll almost never throw out a book. I've built up a fairly large library, of which I have no place to put them. We have a study that's full and now I've started to store books in plastic storage boxes in the basement. My wife hates this, but this is one of my idiosyncrosies she's got to accept. And when it comes to books, I'm a shopaholic. I always think I have more time to read than I actually do. So I buy books on impulse and never get to them.

I too will use a pencil (if I own the book, that is) and scribble notes as I go along. Just a habit from college where I needed to locate important passages and jot dot my thoughts. I own it, so I think I should scribble as I please. You never know when you may want to reread something, so you have to build on the original thoughts.

Never do I dog-ear. Always book marks. Paper or the pencil itself. Sometimes if the book has a paper cover, I will insert the folded flap to hold my place. I usually stop reading at the end of an even numbered page or I finish the paragraph at the top of the odd numbered page.

One other thing: I hate lending books out. If I do, I never forget, and God help that person if I don't get it back in perfect condition.

I think I'm not really nice to my books, especially college books. There I write in sometimes (with pencil) and put them down everywhere.
Other books get a little bit better treatment, but I mostly have paperbacks and I can leave them open for several days. When I finish a book, you can see that it's been read.

To tell the truth, if I have not read the book yet, I will take care of it very much but when I will complete the book, I will not much care about it but it does not mean that I will make drawings on it or I will spoil it because I will give some of them to my friends or cousins.

Wow - it's interesting to see how differently books can be treated.

With paperbacks I too have the problem that their backs are broken very soon, since I am a "bed-reader" and it's just more comfortable to read them when they're folded. I do try to carefully fold them, means not to fold them directly in the middle. But as you all know - sometimes it just happens.

Generally I treat my books like eggs. I have some very old ones (eighteenhundredsomething) and some that are pretty dear to me (e.g. a more than 10cm-thick, old Shakespeare edition containing all his works; this one I would never read in bed ...).

A significant number of books I saved from their death in the garbage bin. I once found a big bin liner full of books. It was placed by a tree, ready to be collected for being killed on a dump-site. I just took them and found out that there were some real good ones among these about 30 books: a 19th-century French book for school for example.

Written words on paper (as we call it in Germany) are the most valuable thing mankind has to offer to it's offspring. No matter how old, no matter in what condition a book is - it is in any case and under any circumstance worth keeping it! This is something, even my 3-year old daughter knows.

hemial ... I don't think I've seen you around before. I love your signiture and avatar!
Thats so sad to see books off to the dump like that. I threw out one book in my life and I still regret it slightly. But it turned out to be cheap pornogrophy with a loose plot ... so i had no idea what to do with it ... I recycled it anyway instead of throwing it in the garbage.

You're right - I am new to this forum and this site.

When it comes to recycling unwanted "written words on paper", why not take it for the bird cage and share some of it with your pet ;-)

I still have my school books - at least those I had complete control over. Some of my old books just disappeared one day back in the times I did not have enough privacy in my room. Even the ones that did not have to do anything with school. However, I still enjoy reading the story in my High School English-book - "The man who escaped". This was my first contact with crime stories and ever since British crime stories are definitely favoured by me when it comes to books and movies/TV-series. I like - no, I love Agatha Christie (mainly Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot) and Elizabeth George.

By the way: is there an English equivalent for the German "written words on paper" as I like to say?

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Originally Posted by IrishCanadian

hemial ... I don't think I've seen you around before. I love your signiture and avatar!
Thats so sad to see books off to the dump like that. I threw out one book in my life and I still regret it slightly. But it turned out to be cheap pornogrophy with a loose plot ... so i had no idea what to do with it ... I recycled it anyway instead of throwing it in the garbage.

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I've taken to using the wrapping of tea bags as bookmarks, they give a lovely smell when the book is re-opened ;)

Apart from that I also use pencils to highlight certain passages in the book and I always have a extra piece of paper ready when I read to take down some additional notes or vocabulary.

I love my books like they were people (people that I appreciate) I make my own bookmarks from ribbons. They make a great bookmark! sometimes I put a little bead on them. I have a large selection so I can choose to match the cover or my mood. I try to keep my books in like new condition, but Im not afraid to loan one to a friend, but I always loan with the thought that It May Not Come Back to Me! I stack my books, as I am low on bookshelves. alot are in boxes. some under my bed, some even stored at other peoples houses...the problem... always trying to find a particular book, I find others I have forgotten about. There are just too many books to read and not enough time!!! I have the same problem of buying books on impulse and not getting to them right away, but when I do, it seems the book is relevant to me at just the right time. isnt it funny how that works out?

Beetrue2u — That's a good point about treating books like people. :) My philosophy toward books is the same as my philosophy toward people: They're meant to be loved, so don't treat them like glass, but also don't violate them.

Hemial — What is the word in German for "written words on paper"? The closest phrase in English, that I can think of, is "the written word," which is quite commonly used.

I treat my books better than I do most people ;)

I'm fairly obsessed with collecting books, Ive a few hundred and I'm 21 so its the kind of colelction which gets commented on, either in a waste of money or occasionaly somebody being impressed way.

I'm afraid other than the rare and beautiful books many are treated with a lot of respect but none are beyond the scribbling of notes, I'm also a page folder as I cant stand bookmarks for some unknown reason.

I do love books however and like nothing more than the site of a stack of unruly books about the place, face down half read ready to feed my head.

I have always treated my books with the greatest care. It can be described as an obsession I somehow obtained early in my childhood.From the comic strips I enjoyed reading as a little kid to the big acadamic books I am studying now, I can never stand any of my books being dogeared or written on. Once my junior school classmate has banteringly remareked that I must be a little bit mentally unhinged to be treating my books so carefully! As for bookmarks, I have always used them, because I find my memory to be quite poor in remembering page numbers, and if I do not put a bookmark in the book I am reading, I will always end up forgetting the place I have got last time!

Oh, I just love my books so much! I make sure that they are stored nicely, I avoid making creases on the page and I never open them too widely, in fear of damaging the spine. I dont fold the pages either to mark where I left off, I love using my bookmark or I just memorise the page number

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Paperbacks, on the other hand... I'll break their backs, fold every other page back, write down notes, use the empty pages at the back for a note book, shove them into my backpack, swat flies with them and possibly dump them in the trash afterwards if they're no good. Some people think that's disrespectful... but I kinda like the idea that when I've read a book, that book has been READ. I've physically wrenched every bit of knowledge I can find from it. That particular book becomes a part of my life for the time it takes me to read it. It's like getting the book signed, not by the author but by the reader.

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Beer good, I LOVED the way you expressed this and I totally agree with you. I often prefer buying second-hand books where another reader has already started off the “wrenching” process. A book that has been well broken in is like an old friendship where both of you have adapted to one another over time. It’s not disrespectful because wearing away the rough edges is part of the relationship (Not that I think of my friends as second-hand of course!).

I've rescued many books from people's garbage. As long as they are clean and desirable. My wife's books we don't save. She reads a lot of what I'll call pop books. I donate those either to a library or to a nursing home.

Well, as a collector, I have books that are very old. Paperbacks that are older than myself, and I'm 45. I use mylar book preserver bags to keep them in. The hardcovers I keep dusted, careful not to tear the dust jacket, use a DJ cover if the book is of resale value. Most of my books are for my own enjoyment. In my will, after my children take the ones they want, the rest are to be donated. Complete sets of various collections would be there, most in first edition paperbacks. You wouldn't believe the stuff on my shelves! I'm the mad hatter of collectors! :lol: :nod:

Well I am basically a minimalist. And getting more so i suppose. I seem to have developed the Mother Theresa syndrome. At one time I had hundreds of books and I still keep and treasure any first or second or close to that editions or any given me by my children.
The rest however I give away to enrich someone else's life once I am thru-except of course if they have become inseperable friends. those I shall keep and give to my children some day.
I don't lend either books or movies. you can start wars over ruined copies. So if someone wants to read what I have I either give it to them or buy them one of their own. I like to make beautiful leather or whatever covers and using calligraphy do the title, author and such on the covers and have them all look the same. It is this need I have of everything being subtle in earth tones and blending in with every thing else. I have no idea why I do that, have since a child.I love book marks and those little lights you attach to your book at night so you don't disturb others. Getting rather a collection of t hose.
I suppose by the time I die I should like to be like the saints of old-having given away everything precious so others can be blessed. I don't like having things even though I was brought up very affluent. It tires me out and seems such a burden.

Wow, you can make covers?? That is perhaps the coolest thing I've learned yet about you, rachel.

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Originally Posted by rachel

I suppose by the time I die I should like to be like the saints of old-having given away everything precious so others can be blessed. I don't like having things even though I was brought up very affluent. It tires me out and seems such a burden.

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Remember, you have that Madonna halo now! You're half way to saint hood.

Canonization is just red tape from here, milady.

I think I might be the black sheep of the Forum... I don't like collecting books (I used to when I was younger) - that is kind of a hoarding as well in my opinion - and I prefer borrowing them from the library if it is for reading for pleasure, which it mostly is for me these days. If I am reading it for my studies, then I buy the book and I don't mind taking notes or marking (pencil). And the more I like a book, the more 'read' it looks and I am rather fond of that 'read look'.

The books are to be read so I don't worry about them looking... well, 'read' once I finish with them. To me, doing otherwise is like not wearing shoes properly because you like them... Do you walk around gingerly in your new shoes, not stepping on them with all your weight? Or would you not sit in a chair comfortably because it is very soft and nice? Or not brush your teeth with your new tooth brush hard enough so that its bristles will not wear out?

Disclaimer: I am not advocating damaging books on purpose or setting them on fire as a pastime but I think it is OK to read books and make them look so.

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Originally Posted by RobinHood3000

Wow, you can make covers?? That is perhaps the coolest thing I've learned yet about you, rachel.

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well if that is the coolest thing I guess I have lived in a pretty small world. If you're interested I sculpt busts from my favorite stories in clay and I can make if I say so myself a fairly decent igloo in the winter, the real way, cut and fitted. Please say that those are niftier things. Oh and once I got the short straw and had to ride a brahma bull. my cousins honored me even though I only stay on about a second and a half and fell on a rock on my spine. I had to suffer through it with whatever they could sneak to me(got a fever and chills,must have got an infection)else my uncle Miles would have taken us all to the barn for a whipping. :D