The folded pages, turned
In corners where you paused,
The sweet inscription scrawled
On the title page
‘From Dave, with all my love,
Kiss kiss’.
I like to read the pencil notes
Scribbled in the margins
And I wonder what you thought
When you turned the final page.
I very rarely buy new books. I will normally either borrow from the library, or buy second hand from the charity shops. Some people like the feel of crisp new pages, but I prefer the knowledge that others have already enjoyed the journey I’m about to go on.
I’m reading a book from the library at the moment, and one of the people who have previously read it has dog eared the pages whenever they’ve closed the book. I know this is sacrilege for some people, but I love to know where people paused.
In fact, I love any clues I can find as to how people have experienced a book before me. I love to see notes in margins, and I love to know that it was gifted by a loved one from the inscription in the front.
The reading journey is so important, so leave a few breadcrumbs behind each time you read. There’s someone out there who will really appreciate it.
Much Love
Rachel xx
clcouch123
This is a great alternative look, figuratively and literally, at how people read and as you say the clues they leave behind. I’m not a dog-ear corner reader, but now I have grist to think the other way. If I may say, well done!
Margot Kinberg
It is a sort of real connection, isn’t it, Rachel, when you see a note written in a margin, or a folded-down page, or an inscription on a flyleaf. It’s as though you’re about to start a conversation with someone about a book, and that can be great. And in Agatha Christie’s Postern of Fate, notes written in a book are a big clue to a crime…
Greg Dennison
Interesting 🙂
juliadeniro
I like old books too, mainly because of the smell. I love the smell of old books.