... Do you Pencil when you Read?
When I read uncorrected proofs, I put a light check in pencil next to what I want to note, then in the back of the book I note the page number. With books, if I must, I put a time dot next the passage I want to note and write the page number in a notebook.
When I'm reading a book for review, I circle the page number if there's a passage I think I might want to quote, and I either draw a line beside it or make a note as to why I want to use it (to make some point). Sometimes I also make notes about what is happening in a section to jog my memory if there's a time delay between reading the book and writing the review.
ReplyDeleteI love it when I can read a book just for pleasure -- I don't make a single mark then and can even check them out of the library.
Pencil? Who can "see" pencil to read it? I only like one kind of pencil, a round black Mirado Warrior HB pencil. Nah, I use my favourite jet-black espresso pen (which is the only one I've found that doesn't smudge for a leftie) and I use it profusely including lots of exclamation and question marks and almost as many ooohs, ahs, and bulls or, alternatively, I correct grammar and spelling mistakes; I write whole reviews in the margins and on blank pre/postlim pages. Sorry if this offends you. (I write first-draft everything longhand, though.)
ReplyDeleteOh, no, Susan, I don't do this to library books because the closest library is so far away, I'm better to buy a book than pay overdue fees; don't worry, I'm not a book vandaliser :). And, yes, I agree with you; a book I read for pleasure only is such a treat, I just turn the pages, what a gift!
Judith: If I added up all the library fees I've paid over the past decade, I'd easily have the money to buy all the books borrowed, plus enough left over for a flight to Philadelphia.
ReplyDeleteYabbut, think of all the dollars and sense you've saved by being an avid used-book patron, Nigel. Did you factor that into your Philly-Trip Occasion? P'raps there's only enough left over to visit due west and north of you through Algonquin Park; and, with the falling price of gas (and free accommodation for you and your family; my home is yours; that is, if you share the mortgage payments . . . J/Kiddin' . . .).
ReplyDeleteI was thinking . . . Why not e-libraries? Why do individuals need to buy books (Kindle / Sony Readers) rather than borrow them for a flat fee? Oh, I'm sure some enterprising geek's already working on a bizth plan for this one; but, what a saving space (and overdue grace period)!
p.s. You'd be able to move much more effortlessly and not have to haunt LCBO stores for boxes every Monday and Thursday!
p.p.s. Our calvacade of leave-changing colour's @ 80% right now (and, it's swoon-worthy gorgeous, bribe . . . grovel . . .)