To Note, or Not to Note
“Stop writing in my books!” said my husband, G. Grod. This was funny because the book, Smilla’s Sense of Snow, was one I brought into the relationship, and one which he has now read several times. G. hates notes in books; he feels much as Katherine, from Shakespeare’s Henry VIII: “What need you note it.” (II, iv)
I, on the other hand, like to write in my books. I am more in line with Helena, from All’s Well that Ends Well: “Worthy the note.” (III, v) If I bought the book, it’s mine. Each time I make a note in it, I’m claiming it, as well as abnegating the American public school education that penalized me for taking notes in books. Notes help me learn, or show me how I’ve learned from previous readings. Yes, I value clean, well-maintained books. But writing in them makes me feel at home with them, like I’ve opened the door, walked in and sat down. They make the books familiar and comforting, like the old friends they are.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I once had an English Lit course in which we HAD to write notes in the margins, and the professor checked each week to make sure we did so. I’ve had a discussion about this issue with a friend of mine. I take the side that it’s fine to write in your own books (please, NOT library books!); she takes the side that books should never be besmirched in this manner. But aside from certain cases (first editions, of which I own none, or some rare or special bindings, family heirlooms, or what-have-you), it doesn’t seem to me that a book itself is a sacred object. Esp. mass market paperbacks. Which also make decent coasters, particularly those with shiny covers.
March 9th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
NEVER library books! Your English prof sounds a little over the top. I own a first edition of Michael Chabon’s Mysteries of Pittsburgh.