Hello Everyone,
Welcome to another very interesting edition of SheSaysSheSays...our little opinionated series where we input on all things bookish! Last segment, reviewers, Emma and Ashvini, both dished their two cents on the subject of ratings and their validity in the book-review-o-sphere! (We were incredibly delighted at your positive response and feedback, by the way, thank you for it all.) So this week were back at it again with some...bookmarks! Whoop-whoop!
Today we're taking a slightly more comical approach on the series, by discussing the use of bookmarks and our personal responses and preferences with regards to them
So, let's get on into it!
Ashvini:
Right off the bat, I’ve ought to admit; I don’t use bookmarks…or any sort of page marker, really with physical reads. Aside from being entranced by the allure of their cute paper patterns at bookstores, none of my page markers have ever been put to good use. Few have been taken out of their plastic covers, and the remainder have rarely been pressed into the pages I actually stop at. Usually, they are only correctly wedged in the spine of my novels, after the first and maybe, second, reading…and are never used to mark any of my other pages thereafter. This, I will openly may amount to just being a product of my laziness. Realistically, though, the way I see it, my strange relationship with these bookish tools goes a lot deeper than my sluggishness in shifting them to a new location between every reading session. I guess it really comes down to…the system doesn’t work for me.
I’ve enjoyed the splendor of books and simply reading for as long as I remember. While many profess to growing up bonding with family over shooting hoops in the driveway or American Idol on Tuesday evenings (which I did too, mind you), I grew up on media; Nightly News at 6:30 pm and reading the paper at the first bursts of Sunday. Two rituals that I still, for the most part, relish. Arguably, my newspapers are not received with a bookmark, or any form of system to flag the termination spot of my last reading. My newspaper are also not often engulf in one sitting by yours truly. I guess the roots of my bookmark habits all boils down to committing the small characters inked in the corners of those pages to memory, or otherwise skimming through the sheets one by one in hopes of retrieving my spot.
While that is definitely easier said than done, especially when the tides turned to illustration-less novels, it’s plainly the style in which my reading has grown and it’s most apparently a trait I still carry with me. Yes, my method is far from foolproof or even necessarily efficient, as yes, I do find myself in moments where I have set my self up in encountering a spoiler. Yes, moving a page-marking literary device from page to page isn’t so difficult.
However, reading is an act of entertainment…it takes you off onto a tranquil sea; and reading without bookmarks is what I’m comfortable with. It's how I read.
Emma:
Lets get one thing clear. In my books (hahaha get it . . . cause . . . books . . .), as long as you don't doggy ear the pages (*gasp* such vandalism) I'm fine. That said, bookmarks are marvelous creations! I've used them forever. I pushed Ashvini to debate this subject, because we had such varied opinions. Which you will eventually see . . .
One of the reasons I love bookmarks so much is because they allow you to focus more on the story. Bookmarks are used for books. However, it is impossible to fully submerse yourself in the world building, characters and plot, if you are so completely focused on memorizing your page number, while simultaneously leading a busy life. I mean take up acting or something if you want to improve your memory . . .
The Merriam-Webster definition
Bookmark;
noun | book·mark | \-ˌmärk\
A marker for finding a place in a book.
From store bought to homemade to random-napkin-found-on-the-floor-of-the-mall, there are sooooo many options. You can literally find them anywhere. There is no valid excuse, other than disliking bookmarks, not to use them. Due to their variety, bookmarks are also amazing collectors items. Not only will you never run out of bookmarks as a collector, but you can impress everyone with your extensive bookmark stash.
Have you ever ran out of things to talk about to your friends cause you just know each other all too well? (this happens more than you'd expect) Met someone new, but had no idea what to say? Well next time this happens just pull out your bookmark! (Or the book itself . . .) BAM! Problem solved. Need I say more?!?!
Bookmarks are also great gifts for that friend/family member/yourself ;D who loves to read. Buy a cute one from the store, or better yet, make your own. Not only will it be unique, but it will mean that much more! You can engrave it with inside jokes and quotes, use water colours, or even find some cool Pinterest worthy DIY.
The Bookmark Debate - #SheSaysSheSays
What do you think? Are you for or against bookmarks? Do you have any potential future debates you'd like to see?
More Emshini humour, opinion, and discussion coming to a computer near you soon!
Yours Truly,
Emma and Ashvini
Now I know what to get as birthday gifts. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSo glad we could help! Obviously you like to use bookmarks. (YESSSS!) XD
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading,
Emma from TwoGirlsThatRead