Bookmark or Dog Ear? What’s Your Verdict?

Bookmark or Dog Ear? What’s Your Verdict?

There are two types of people in the world. Those who use bookmarks… and those who dog ear the corners of a page. And the divide between the two is wide.

Many booklovers believe there’s no excuse for dog-earing pages, and that damaging a book is unforgivable. Beware anyone who borrows a book from one of these types and returns it with even one dog-eared page.

But there are others, equally passionate about books, who crease and fold without a second thought. To these people, books are there to be read and loved, and there is nothing more loved than a slightly battered book.

Research suggests that bookmarks have accompanied books for about 2,000 years. Early books were delicate, so something was needed to mark a page without damaging the manuscript. The oldest existing bookmark dates back to the 6th century AD. It is an ornamented leather bookmark and was attached to the cover of an ancient manuscript found under the ruins of the monastery of Apa Jeremiah in Egypt.

Throughout history, bookmarks have accompanied books. They were used throughout the medieval period. Silk bookmarks were given as gifts during the Victorian era. In 1584, Queen Elizabeth was presented with a fringed silk bookmark by her Royal Printer. Perforated board with fringed ends was used from around 1830.

There is no doubt that historically, bookmarks play an important role in reading. But do we still need to be so precious about our modern day paperbacks?

We’ve all been there. It’s late. You’re about to turn off the light and go to sleep. You reach for a bookmark to save your page, only to realise you don’t have one. Do you get out of bed and search for something to slip between the pages? Or do you dog-ear and switch off the light, falling straight into a guilt free slumber?

 

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                      1. Dawn Casse says:

                        My paperback get a corner turned, hardbacks and borrowed books have a bookmark.

                      2. Aryanisiti says:

                        Bookmark is a must!

                      3. Moo Madeley says:

                        Soft cover books get folded in half, spine broken so I can hold it in one hand (I’ve got small hands) and the page gets folde so a corner sticks out the top of the book for next time. Brutal I understand, but the best way to get right into a book!

                      4. Janet says:

                        Definitely a bookmark. I consider dog ears vandalism of a book

                      5. Kate says:

                        Both. Whatever works at the time.

                      6. Karen Thomas says:

                        If it’s your own book, do what you like – fold it if you want – it’s your book! But if it’s borrowed, use a bookmark.

                      7. Jaki says:

                        I’m a page folder and don’t shame me!!!

                      8. Cathie says:

                        I can dog-ear my own books if I am driven to it with no choice. But certainly not books that are not mine. Sacrilege!

                      9. Amber says:

                        Omg I’m bookmarks all of the way. I can’t stand bending or folding a book or it’s pages. I’ve actually started buying hardcovers only to try and preserve them even more!

                      10. Margaret F says:

                        I have a collection of lovely bookmarks from all over the world – it’s a pleasure to use them

                      11. Ally Morgan says:

                        I make bookmarks, as gifts and to sell for charity….so it’s easy for me……bookmarks all the way!

                      12. Marg Koppel says:

                        I am a bookmark person My step grandmother ‘Ma’ always told me to use bookmarks even if it’s a piece of scrap paper never damage a beautiful book

                      13. Ayesha says:

                        Why would you destroy a book by bending the pages???!

                      14. Graham Slim says:

                        How could anyone do damage to something as beautiful as a book?

                      15. Gail Schmidt says:

                        Bookmark – irrespective of format, age, genre, ownership or condition of any book I read

                      16. Lellee says:

                        Bookmarks every book and they stay in the book. I cut up all my birthday and christmas cards to make nice inexpensive bookmarks and I also make them from any other suitable cardboard.

                      17. lauren says:

                        bookmarks all the way- I am still in school and my english teacher thinks she has to bribe us with ‘house points’ to get us to actually read, we have to keep track of the books we’ve read on the back of our bookmarks, but to be honest I just like having a bookmark over folding the page out of shape (especially if the book is new) it’s also useful to have a book log on the back in case I want to read one again…

                      18. Marcia BATTON says:

                        Book mark all the way, books are precious things, why would you damage them by folding the corner ( and on that I hate people who fold books back on themselves damaging the spine or underline, what’s wrong with post it notes etc to bring you back to the page!)

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                      20. belkicc says:

                        well for me, dog-earing your books or highlighting your favourite part or colouring in any graphics in a book is a proof that youve read that book. and i totally dont care if it has folded creases or slight ripped edges as long as i can read the words, im ok.

                      21. y2 mate says:

                        I love this topic! I’m definitely Team Bookmark. There’s something satisfying about inserting a carefully chosen one that reflects my personality, and I never have to worry about damaging the pages. Dog-earring feels like a crime against the book! How do others feel about it?

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                      23. I’ve always been a bookmark person! There’s something about the aesthetic and the little treasures I find tucked between the pages. Dog-eared pages make me feel like I’m altering the book in a way that seems a bit sacrilegious. However, I can appreciate the nostalgia that dog-earing brings, especially for those well-loved books! What do you all think?

                      24. jeffreestar says:

                        The choice comes down to personal preference and the level of preciousness one assigns to their that’s not my neighbor books. Some see them as treasured objects, while others view them primarily as vessels for stories.

                      25. michaelarrington says:

                        For many, books are more than just vessels for stories; they are cherished objects. Using a bookmark PolyTrack demonstrates a level of respect for the book itself and the effort that went into its creation.

                      26. I’ve always been a bookmark person! I love the variety of bookmarks you can find, and they add a personal touch to my reading experience. Dog-earing feels like it could damage the page, plus I enjoy the ritual of selecting a new bookmark for each book. However, I can understand the quick convenience of dog-earing. What do you all think about the aesthetics of each method?

                      27. I absolutely prefer bookmarks! Dog earring pages just feels too harsh on my beloved books. Plus, bookmarks can be so personal – I love using ones that remind me of my favorite stories or places. It adds a little charm to my reading experience!

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                      31. Y2mate says:

                        I’ve always been a bookmark fan! I love how they can be personalized and don’t damage the pages. Dog earing just feels so final to me. Plus, it’s nice to have a little piece of something unique to remind me of my reading adventures!

                      32. Y89 says:

                        I love the debate between bookmarks and dog ears! Personally, I’m all about bookmarks – they keep my pages neat and tidy. Plus, I enjoy collecting unique bookmarks that reflect my personality. Dog-earing feels a bit too permanent for me, but I can see the charm in it for those who want a more casual reading experience. What do others think?

                      33. I personally prefer bookmarks! They keep my pages pristine and organized. Plus, it feels more rewarding to mark my spot with a beautiful or meaningful bookmark. Dog-earing just feels too permanent for my taste. What about everyone else?

                      34. I’ve always been a bookmark person! There’s something satisfying about using a beautiful bookmark to mark my place, while dog-eared pages just never feel as special to me. Plus, bookmarks are like little treasures waiting to be discovered between the pages! What about everyone else?

                      35. MP4 JUICE says:

                        I enjoyed this post! Personally, I’m a bookmark fan. There’s something satisfying about keeping my place with a nice bookmark, plus it feels more intentional than dog-earing pages. I appreciate the aesthetics and the nostalgia of collecting bookmarks too!

                      36. I’ve always been a bookmark person! I love how bookmarks can be personalized and add a touch of character to my reading experience. Dog-earing has its charm, but I can’t bring myself to crease the pages of my favorite books. It feels like a tiny sacrilege! Can’t wait to read what others think!

                      37. text twist says:

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                      38. I’ve always been a bookmark person! I love the idea of keeping my pages pristine. Dog-earing feels too permanent for my taste. Plus, bookmarks can be really fun and personalized! What does everyone think about using cute bookmarks versus the old-school method?

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                      40. Ri188 apk says:

                        I loved reading this post! I personally prefer bookmarks because they keep my pages neat and make it easy to find my spot without damaging the book. But I get the dog-ear charm too—it feels a bit nostalgic. What about you, do you have any favorite bookmarks?

                      41. d06 says:

                        I always lean towards bookmarks! They feel more polished and don’t damage the pages like dog-earing can. Plus, it’s nice to have a little something special to mark my spot. What do others think?

                      42. tc lottery says:

                        I definitely prefer bookmarks! They feel much more elegant and don’t crease the pages. Plus, I love that I can use a fun variety of bookmarks to match my mood or the book I’m reading. Dog-earing just feels a bit too permanent for me. What does everyone else think?

                      43. I never thought about the bookmark vs. dog ear debate until now, but I have to say, there’s something nostalgic about dog-earing a page. It’s like leaving a little piece of myself in the book! But then again, bookmarks can be so pretty and personalized. I guess it really depends on my mood!

                      44. I personally prefer bookmarks! They don’t crease the pages and I can easily keep track of where I left off without damaging the book. Dog-earing feels a bit too permanent for my taste. How about everyone else?

                      45. SugarMute says:

                        I prefer bookmarks! They feel more sophisticated and don’t risk damaging the pages like dog-earing can. Plus, I love collecting unique bookmarks from different places I’ve visited. They add a personal touch to my reading experience!

                      46. I’ve always been a bookmark person! There’s something satisfying about sliding a beautiful bookmark between the pages. Dog ears just never feel right to me; they seem like a little too much wear and tear on my books. I love that bookmarks let me personalize my reading experience too! What about you all?

                      47. I personally prefer bookmarks! They feel more organized and elegant, plus I love collecting them as little mementos from places I’ve visited or books I’ve enjoyed. Dog-earing just doesn’t sit well with me; it feels like I’m damaging the pages. What about everyone else?

                      48. Arialief says:

                        I’ve always been a fan of bookmarks! They don’t damage the pages and can be a fun personal touch. Dog-earing feels too permanent for me. Plus, bookmarks can be a great conversation starter about your favorite books!

                      49. I’ve always been a bookmark fan! I love how they can be personalized and don’t damage the pages. Dog-earing just feels too risky for me—what if I forget which page I was on? Plus, there’s something special about the little bookmarks we’ve collected over the years. Great read!

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                      51. I’ve always been a fan of bookmarks! They feel more organized and I love discovering unique designs. Dog ears, however, give a book character and tell a story about where I’ve been. It’s a tough choice, but I think I’ll stick with bookmarks for their charm and practicality!

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                      53. Nervecalm says:

                        I’ve always been a bookmark fan! It feels a bit more special to slide a pretty bookmark in, plus they don’t risk damaging the book pages like dog-earing does. But I can see the appeal of dog-earing for quick access. It’s such a tough choice! What do others think?