Having dissected the more “classic” styles of bookmarks, let’s now dive into the world of unconventional bookmarks.
Dog-Earing
The most practiced form of physical bookmarking is dog-earing. Taking the corner of the page you’re currently on and folding it down to create an indicator as to where you’ve stopped for the time being.
Dog-earing is almost a controversial topic; some readers will do it haphazardly as a simple way to keep their place while others vow to never crease or fold a page in that way. I admit that I only ever dog-ear in the most dire of circumstances.
When I was younger, I was more prone to this practice, but as I grew older (and my fondness for books grew too) I took care to make sure I wouldn’t have as much occasion or opportunity to dog-ear my pages.
Fingers
If you’re able to keep with a book for so long that you don’t even need to put it down, then you’re probably just sticking your finger in between the pages to keep your place. Imagine being able to go through a book so quickly that you only ever need the steady grip of a finger to keep your place for that momentary pause before you resume reading once more.
Or, perhaps, you’re just keeping place to copy down a quote or re-read a passage. In which case, I salute your efforts! I’ve splayed a book open many-a-time to keep the page open and in view so that I could mark down a quote to include in an essay.
(Also known as the Essayist’s Bookmark)
The OfficeMax Bookmark
Pens. Pencils. Rulers. Paperclips. StickyNotes.
Anything that you might find lying around in or on a desk is up for grabs. Bulk is no matter and no problem because all that matters is keeping your place in the book. Just grab it and shove it in between the pages—quick! Before you lose your page!
Facedown
An agent of chaos. If you’re like me and don’t like cracking the spines of your books, then this method is not for you. The facedown method can be especially dangerous with thicker volumes, with greater risk for bending/cracking the spine.
I don’t know too many people who use this method, and I’m sure if I met any, I’d be scared of them.
Ebook
Anyone with an e-reader will find all of this talk about bookmarks to be completely trivial. With ebooks and tablets, bookmarks are no longer necessary—the ebook keeps track on its own! No need for a physical bookmark!
Where do you stand with your bookmarks? Are you a die-hard classic bookmark-er? Or do you prefer more unconventional methods? Leave a comment!
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