I never dog-ear pages — it destroys the fibers of the page — but I rarely go out of my way to buy bookmarks because I tend to forget them inside the book I’m reading. I have a small pile of freebie bookmarks, too — my sister collects for me from various counters in Singapore, I get a lot of bookmarks from the annual Manila International Book Fair, and a lot of BookMoochers send bookmarks too (aside from the official Bookmooch bookmarks)
When I don’t have a bookmark on hand, I can pretty much use anything thin enough to slip in between the pages — a tissue, an old receipt, clothing labels, or I commit the page number to memory, so I really don’t need to buy bookmarks.
Once I interviewed someone for an article I was writing, and I completely forgot that I used his business card as a bookmark! I’d turned my bag inside out, and rifled through my work desk looking for it because I needed to get back to the person I interviewed, and it wasn’t until a couple of nights later that I remembered I had tucked it inside the last book I finished. Hehe. After that, I’ve been careful not to use business cards (or cheques) as bookmarks.
On a visit to one of my favorite book sale branches last week, I chanced upon some great bookmarks at really great prices, and I couldn’t resist getting some. I ended up buying two books (for mooching, none for me) and a whole bag of assorted bookmarks!
Here’s a kittycat bookmark I got for P8 (around $0.16).
And here’s a furry munky bookmark I got for P15 (around $30). A bit thick but he was too cute to pass up. I ended up getting three of these, because my brother wanted a pair for himself and his girlfriend (not that they read a lot!).
- munky bookmark
The next bookmark isn’t for me, because Hello Kitty has always been too prissy for my taste. One of my sisters loves Hello Kitty, though, and this was P15 ($0.30) too, so I got this one for her.
- Hello Kitty bookmark
After rooting around in this plastic tub containing all the bookmarks (including My Little Pony, Bob the Builder and Spongebob bookmarks) I hit paydirt and found a bunch of Harry Potter bookmarks for my collection!
- harry potter bookmarks!
Got them for P10 each ($0.20), and bought all ten bookmarks I found at the store! There were three designs available — Mirror of Erised, Expecto Patronum, and Priori Incantatem. I love that they’re based on the Mary GrandPre art, and I love that they have brass (ish) charms aside from the tassel!
I’m keeping five of the bookmarks, and giving two to Dianne. The three remaining will go to finalists for my Deathly Hallows Giveaway, so if you haven’t joined already, then go join! Deadline for entries is on August 20th, 12 mn, Manila time.
Methinks it’s time to start a bookmark collection! :)
I enjoyed your article about bookmarks. I have become more relaxed. Like you I’m happy as long as my pages aren’t dogeared. One day I would like to make or craft bookmarks: cross stitch, sew, crochet, color, etc.
oh wow inggit ako sa HP bookmarks, where can I find those? I collect bookmarks and I love ones with tassles too!! totally get the hate for dogearing pages. Sometimes when I forget a bookmark, dogearing would slip into my mind but I could not bear doing it, end up slipping any thin paper or card I can find in my bag hehe
Ooh, I love bookmarks! I like to buy a bookmark wherever I travel, it makes for a great souvenir!
Hi Blooey! Those bookmarks are so beautiful! Like you, I can’t seem to have enough bookmarks.
@Tea – I want to craft bookmarks too, except I can’t seem to find time for that :(
@wired – Will look for some more so I can send some to you. I didn’t know you collect bookmarks…
@Nikola – that’s a great idea, I think I’ll start doing that.
@Peter- will have to stop thinking of them as disposable, as these ones I just bought aren’t!
blooey — did you get the bookmarks from MCS booksale? I’ve never seen bookmarks before in the book sale stores i go to
Hi Ruby, yup, at MCS :) I love that store, I keep getting cool non-book stuff!
I found a Gund Sorting Hat keychain there too when I got the bookmarks
Ang cute ng mga bookmarks. Madalas akong nakaka wala ng bookmarks kaya I used what ever paper I can find. Best bookmark na recieved ko galing sa isang fellow Inkie, ginawaan nya ko ng customize bookmarks na may design.
I always lose my bookmarks. What I use is just an index card. I write on it my thoughts about the book since I have a really bad memory. :P
Those HP bookmarks are definitely a steal at just 10 pesos only?!
@Ray-ann- Sakit ko rin yan eh, I really end up losing them. I don’t even know where I put my thumbthing. I know I have it somewhere, I just cant remember!
I have Brian’s Badcat bookmarks
@Patrick – good idea re: index cards :)
Yep, 10 pesos each!
Hi Blooey!
I love the HP bookmarks! i also make it a point to buy one wherever i am.I never dog ear, but hubby does, so i set aside some bookmarks, clothing labels, etc for us to use.
:) Hello Chloe… that reminds me, I still haven’t got one from Cebu.
Your stories about your shared passion for books with your hubby are so cute!
I used to own that same kitten bookmark!
I’m rather predictable with my bookmarks these days. I used to have scads of different bookmarks, but these days I just stick to two Oriental Carpet bookmarks: one for my primary read, one for my secondary read.
Hi Memory! I’ve been wanting one of those Oriental Carpet bookmarks but I’m afraid I’ll lose it
That Hello Kitty one is cute. Might give my wife a reason to read.
And speaking of her, she had bought me a bookmark a long time ago. I used it for a few years. Then did what you said happens to you: left it inside a book that I sent out on a mooch request through BookMooch. I was crushed. Now, like you, I usually use the cards other moochers send, or bookmarks that independent stores give you when you purchase a book from them. I would rather not spend the money on something that I really like, only to forget it inside a book.
Hi Scott! This is one of the reasons I’m reluctant to buy bookmarks.
If I start collecting them, those I buy would strictly be for collection and I’ll use ordinary bookmarks for actual bookmarking, but that sounds stupid…
wow thanks!!! I collect on and off, pretty much anything that catches my fancy hehe. I’ll get you some Japanese ones on my next package to you :)
@wired- Saved one HP bookmark for you, will look for some more :)