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Walter Wittwer's avatar

I buy most books used because it broadens the conversation between me and the author to include a third opinion. Even just someone else’s underlining gives me pause, “why did he or she think that was important. Am I missing something?”

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Grace Hamman's avatar

I love writing in books. Also my ancient copy of Confessions has some gems in it too! Never a not perfect time to read it, as you said

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Lauren Flanagan's avatar

I used to think it was sacrilegious for some reason to write in a book. Now, I can't get enough of underlining, highlighting and marking up texts (if I own the book, of course)! Like you said, it's a form of diary-- maybe my kids will get a kick out of it one day.

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Claude Atcho's avatar

Right there with you. My kids used to gasp when they saw me write in a book. Now they know the drill!

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Myles Werntz's avatar

One reason I don’t read e-books is that I love marginalia so much.

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Claude Atcho's avatar

I feel that 100%. I also like when used books are a bit marked up (but not too much!) in the margins. Always interesting to see what people found noteworthy.

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Myles Werntz's avatar

It is always befuddling, though when I pull a book off the shelf that I’m sure I’ve not read an encounter marginalia from a much younger me that I resolutely disagree with or don’t understand

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Claude Atcho's avatar

My challenge is my penmanship is let's say not great which is a bad combo with small margins so sometimes I go back and can't really read what I wrote ha

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