Through a discussion with Matt this weekend, after purchasing a friend's debut book, he told me that he feels I abuse books. He's mentioned his pet peeves regarding this before, but never actually used those words. I honestly felt a bit like I'd been kicked.
I've held for a long time that I am not one of those people who abuse books. Yet I have habits that point toward my being one of those people after all: I dog ear corners to mark my place, I read in the bathtub (since I was a teen, I have never dropped a book in there but the inherent risk is there), and sometimes I lay the book out flat. Matt insists I break spines too, but I don't!
However, this list along with writing in books (agh, never!) are general hallmarks of one who abuses books.
That is changing, as of yesterday. I've been trying for a long time to stop my habit of folding the corners of pages, and I have no idea when I started this habit. Yesterday I grabbed a used Timbers ticket, and that is my new bookmark. I won't take books in the bathtub with me anymore, just magazines, and I will refrain from laying the book out flat.
I do respect the written word, I adore the smell of book glue and old libraries, but that respect in my mind hasn't translated into my actions. I know this may not seem very important to some of you, but opening my eyes to this was a punch to the gut. It's quite important to me, as books are a huge part of my life and always have been, and so it's important to me that my habits change.
Starting now, my actions will reflect my love of the written word.
I've held for a long time that I am not one of those people who abuse books. Yet I have habits that point toward my being one of those people after all: I dog ear corners to mark my place, I read in the bathtub (since I was a teen, I have never dropped a book in there but the inherent risk is there), and sometimes I lay the book out flat. Matt insists I break spines too, but I don't!
However, this list along with writing in books (agh, never!) are general hallmarks of one who abuses books.
So yes, I used to be a book abuser.
That is changing, as of yesterday. I've been trying for a long time to stop my habit of folding the corners of pages, and I have no idea when I started this habit. Yesterday I grabbed a used Timbers ticket, and that is my new bookmark. I won't take books in the bathtub with me anymore, just magazines, and I will refrain from laying the book out flat.
I hereby vow to do the following:
- Use a bookmark, every time
- Never fold down pages
- Close the book when I am not reading it
- No longer take a book to the bath with me
- Huff book fumes until I'm dizzy
I do respect the written word, I adore the smell of book glue and old libraries, but that respect in my mind hasn't translated into my actions. I know this may not seem very important to some of you, but opening my eyes to this was a punch to the gut. It's quite important to me, as books are a huge part of my life and always have been, and so it's important to me that my habits change.
Starting now, my actions will reflect my love of the written word.
I love books...everything about them. While I never dog ear and always use a bookmark I do all of the other things. I break spines on purpose because I can hold the book better. I make notes when I want to and underline stuff. I'd totally read in the tub but my tub is gross and not relaxing at all. There's always a book (or my Kindle) in my purse and they do get a little scuffed up looking.
ReplyDeleteI think I do these things because I love books. My love is harsh, I guess! So count me amoung the Book Abusers, too! :) --Lisa
I honestly cringe at breaking spines, but I know people do it, and like you, have a reason behind it :)
DeleteHi! Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog! It seems we are both in very similar positions! I love books and I don't like it when people bend them, write on them, etc... but my husband (also) takes the whole thing to a whole new level... He can actually bring a book back from the dead... If a book touches his hands that book will stay LITERALLY like new the whole time... for years! and if the book had been "mistreated" by me, for example, he makes sure he "heals" it... weird! LOL! If someone wants to borrow a book from hubby, he just gives the book away and buys a new one (he doesn't even want to go through the frustration of getting it back and noticing any "crease" ! interesting!)
ReplyDeleteHaha, sounds like that's maybe one step beyond my husband. We all love books in our own ways :)
DeleteI wouldn't necessarily say that's book abuse. It's well-worn love for the book! I do versions of all that you mention except break the spines. I do admit that I really don't like when the spines of the book are broken. :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with the well-worn love, but hubs doesn't LOL I do admit that I want to stop with the dog-ears, and I've been working on it.
DeleteHuff book fumes. :-D
ReplyDeleteI have been guilty of all the above, and my best loved books show my interest in them: underlines, highlights, notes in the margins, and falling open to my favorite places. I agree with Christine-it's a wearing around the edges from being held so much.
The response to this post has really made me realize, we all show our love for the written word in different ways!
Delete{Melinda} I'm guilty, too. But I just love highlighting passages and dogearring corners. It reminds me of all the reasons I loved that book the next time I take it off my bookshelf. It's why I'll never go to Kindle.
ReplyDeleteI kind of think of it as love not abuse. My kids' best loved stuffed animals were always the ones that they'd hugged and "loved" until they were ratty! :)
Thanks Melinda! We were given a Nook, and I play around on it sometimes, but nothing beats holding a printed book in my hands. I don't think I'll ever convert to an e-reader.
DeleteI never thought of myself as a boo abuser but now I'm reconsidering. I agree that nothing beats holding a real book in your hand. My husband gave me a Kindle last Christmas and I have yet to use it. I just finished my library book last night though and am thinking of breaking it in out of desperation. No more dog earring books for me! Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!! I seem to have broken the dog-earing habit pretty easily, but I took a book in to read during a bath the other day without even thinking. I accidentally left it in the damp bathroom for another day after that, which is really where my issue comes in. Damp air = BAD NEWS for books. Bah.
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