Bookmarks: Why We Don’t Buy Them
Robert's not pedestrian even though he likes Converse bookmarks.
Yes, it’s a random topic but one that we here at Hawthorne would like to address in an effort to discuss some of the finer points in life.
Bookmarks are not just the one-click away culled websites that you computer people like to frequently visit while on online sojourns. They are also the things that you place in between the pages of those atavistic bound things that you sometimes buy from us (thank you) in order to help you remember where you left off.
These are some items that we at Hawthorne Books frequently use as bookmarks.
Rhonda: I like to use Broadway Books bookmarks or sometimes if I leave the jacket on in a hardcover then I use that.
Kate: Fred Meyer receipts, and sometimes the corner of the page from the newspaper.
Adam: I dog ear. I admit it.
Liz: Usually whatever is close at hand and that often ends up being envelopes – preferably from opened letters. There have been a couple times that I’ve forgotten to open a letter for a few weeks because it became lodged in a neglected book. 95% of my mail is bills and adverts anyway. Write me?
Robert (one of our fall interns): I bought a pair of Converse a few years back and I use a piece of the cardboard from the tag that I cut off. I also just tear of pieces of paper from random things. I’m not that organized about it.
So the bottom line is sure we’ve all had some nicer bookmarks over the years –- carved wood, laminated photos — and we’re really not sure what happens to them. Maybe it’s kind of like lighters and socks. They go to some special far, far away place. We’ll take the random grab and go bookmarks.
Here’s a very unique bookmark but not very transportable bookmark. Strange but true.
11 Responses to “Bookmarks: Why We Don’t Buy Them”
Ken Hughes says:
February 8, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I use business cards from my favorite places, particularly restaurants. Also, ticket stubs to great shows, concerts and other special events.
Liz Crain says:
February 8, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I’ve used ticket stubs too. That’s a great excuse to see more music: need more bookmarks…
Patrick Barber says:
February 8, 2010 at 10:36 pm
I’m a dog-earer, I admit it. Unless, of course, the book I am reading is equipped with a handy gusseted french flap. Stunned that you didn’t mention said flaps in this post!
Kate Sage says:
February 9, 2010 at 10:09 am
The great things about our books is that they have double-scored French flaps that can be used as bookmarks. Thank you, Ed, for pointing out the problem with the single score, Rhonda for figuring out how to remedy it, and Adam McIsaac for implementing the design.
Spencer Newlin-Cushing says:
February 14, 2010 at 4:30 pm
I am a collector of Bookmarks. I love them. I love the pristine edges and the small canvas for wonderful art or information. I like the tassel-y ones that attach to the cover and can be pulled down into the pages as if that book were so important to you, you had to find the right bookmark to mark you place.
I have bookmarks from when I was a teenager I still use on occasion.
Though I often use a bus ticket stub as well.
Liz Crain says:
February 14, 2010 at 5:28 pm
I really like attached bookmarks too Spencer — esp. with cookbooks. The Silver Spoon has a slender satin ribbon (how’s that for alliteration) attached to the spine that I use all the time. It’s especially nice since it’s such a hefty book.
Earl Dizon says:
February 15, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I’ve received at least a dozen bookmarks as gifts over the years. But because they were gifts, I don’t use any of them in case they lost. So I just end up whatever’s close by- a napkin, the paper covering of straws, pillow tags, etc. What’s odder still is if there’s a free bookmark being offered I will take it. I guess I’m an accidental bookmark collector.
Liz Crain says:
February 15, 2010 at 6:08 pm
I do the same Earl. My boyfriend once got me a really cool thin, carved wood bookmark and I used it once or twice before putting it in a special place on one of my bookcases — like it’s part of a shrine. It’s with the puppets and candles though so it’s in good company.
Rachael Robichaud says:
March 1, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Much like Spencer, I am a collector of bookmarks, more by default than by design. People love to gift me bookmarks, and I love to receive them and put them to use. I find that ticket stubs slip into obscurity and I have to rely more on memory to hunt them down again, receipts distract me (I spent that much at New Seasons!!), and embellished bookmarks scuff or tear the pages. Therefore, I prefer simple paper bookmarks, preferably with a pretty image or an inspiring quote.
I really enjoyed this blog post! What can I say? I like random.
Liz Crain says:
March 1, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I never thought of that with receipts but you’re so right. I often use the receipt for the book that I bought as a bookmark though so that’s not as distracting as the cost of avocados per pound…