Writing, folding corners, highlighting, making notes in the margins, underlining. Is this something you do to your books? Or do you keep them pristine? Carefully reading them and putting them away on a shelf or re-selling to your local used book store. Maybe trade for credit so you can get more books? Maybe you write your notations on sticky notes, allowing yourself to make notes in the book, sort of, but still keeping the book free of marginalia.
Have you ever bought or been given a book with marginalia from a previous owner? How does that change the way you feel about the story? Do you add to it?
Maybe you’ve converted to digital media and none of this applies to you? I tried that once, it didn’t work for me. Although I’ll admit, sometimes I’ll buy the physical book and then listen to the audiobook from the library or streaming service.
I love that books are loved by others. I like to see that they have been loved. I like to see what former readers of this book found interesting by underlining, highlighting, or making a note in the margin. Sometimes it’s a little note in the front or the back of the book noting that it was a gift to someone and why. Did the receiver appreciate the book? Did they even read it?
I love used bookstores or stores that combine new and used together on the shelf. It makes the hunt to save a few bucks worth it for me. Searching for a used book that maybe shows a little love. I always look for used first, unless it is a new release that I just have to have.
I feel like books live a variety of lives as they are passed between people, bought and sold, given as gifts, or passed on as a recommended read. To me marginalia is the book’s memory of where it has been, who it has been loved or disliked by in a previous life.
I’d love to here your take on marginalia.
I share your love of real books. I have a few treasured texts from college and travel years. I love to look back at some of the scribblings in the margins or just hold them like old friends. I even have a few books once owned by dear friends now gone. Those are very special. Thanks for prompt.
It depends on the book, but sometimes I use post-its, other time marginalia...or both. I also often enjoy reading how another reader reacted to the book or a particular passage.