As an English teacher and avid reader, friends, family, and students often give me book-themed gifts. To that end, I’ve amassed quite a collection of bookmarks.
I have traditional paper bookmarks with images of Shakespeare or flowers emblazoned on them; I have ribbon bookmarks with beads and trinkets dangling from the end; I have metal bookmarks that are essentially ornate paperclips. What I’m trying to say is that I have whole drawers (or draws as we say in Jersey) full of bookmarks.
So, are you ready for the punchline, or did you see it coming from a mile off?
I rarely, if ever, use any of the bookmarks. Usually, I grab whatever’s handy to mark my place–a ponytail holder, a bill, a stray piece of grosgrain ribbon, or even a dollar or coin.
I’m not sure why I don’t use my bookmarks–maybe because I don’t have them handy when I’m reading? What I can tell you is that under no circumstances will I dog-ear a page or leave the book open to my page, face down, in a cruel, spine breaking Russian-split. (I can hear the book screaming in agony and protest!)
I’m not persnickety when it comes to marking my pages and will grab whatever’s handy…but how about YOU? Are you a spine-breaker? A dog-ear-er? Or do you have a favorite bookmark that you just can’t live without?
Book, Line, and Sinker 