I’m the kind of person who uses ANYTHING as a bookmark. I think official bookmarks are kind of a silly idea (although I appreciate that some of them are actually kind of cool looking). I’m a pretty voracious reader, so as you can imagine, I got a lot of bookmarks as gifts/stocking stuffers/souveniers. I could just never keep track of the darn things. Therefore, I use anything within reach. I’m not against dog-earing, but I’d rather just use something and protect the integrity of the book.
As I was ready to get my read on the other night before bed, I realized I’d left The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest downstairs, and I was so comfy that I decided going to get it was out of the question. I reached over to the enormous bookcase in my room (which is also host to a ton of Disney VHSes in the original white packaging … I know), and pulled out Lisey’s Story by Stephen King. I finished the book a few years ago, after buying it at Half Price Books, and enjoyed it — but I realized I didn’t remember a damn thing about it. Totally an acceptable situation for a re-read.
So I opened it, and the bookmark I’d been using fell into my lap. Naturally, I picked it up to see what bit of detritus I’d stuffed in at that point in time.
Before I tell you what it was, I just want to say that this is my favorite part about my bookmark habits. If I took all the bookmarks I’ve used over the years, I could probably create a scrapbook of my life — a better scrapbook than one that just included the photos I’ve taken.
See, the bookmark for this particular book was my boarding pass from one of the worst flying experiences I’ve ever had — the leg from Philly to Orlando in February 2007 — on my way to visit BF while we were still living apart, before I moved to Orlando. The rush of nostalgia made me smile (even though it was a horrendous experience … probably explains why I don’t remember much about the book). I love this feeling. I get it more intensely from stuff than I do from photos, oddly enough. And, it’s why I love my bookmarking habit. I’m constantly reading (and re-reading) books, so it’s a fun practice for me.
Over the years, I’ve also come across a NYC Metrocard, a Metrocard from the London tube, a coaster from a bar in Austin, TX, receipts for a variety of purchases, leaves (I must have been fairly desperate), ribbons embellished with puffy paint from high school volleyball tournaments (these tend to stick to the pages, a poor choice), sheets of stickers and even greeting/birthday cards.
Am I crazy? Does anyone else do this? Or are all of you just boring, tasseled-bookmark users? 😉
Currently loving: Adele (seriously, just listen to her. She has such a unique voice),  time management games (like Diner Dash), that my sister woke me up this morning shouting “CABS ARE HERE!” in a very Pauly-D voice
image from Lucia’s…