Do you write your name inside your book cover?

Alexavier-Taiga · Post by **Alexavier-Taiga** » 20 Feb 2015, 01:26

No I can't do that to a book. Just thinking about it makes me squirm

spablo_94 · Post by **spablo_94** » 20 Feb 2015, 12:24

I used to write my name on book covers and the date I started reading and when I finished reading. But now, I borrow books from the library so I can't to that.

LivreAmour217 · Post by **LivreAmour217** » 21 Feb 2015, 16:00

When I was a soldier living in the barracks, I put my name on/inside many of my belongings, just in case they found themselves in another's posession. Many others did likewise, usually to deter thieves or to remind borrowers to return said belongings once they were finished with them. Now that I am married and no longer living among "strangers," I rarely label my things.

-- 21 Feb 2015, 17:02 --

Jenie wrote:I don't write my name inside my book cover, I feel as if it take from it. Instead, I sign my initials at a corner of the last page of the book. Just to leave a mark that it was once mine.

I like this idea! I might do this to my favorites!

Deee · Post by **Deee** » 15 May 2015, 19:43

I still do this out of habit from when I was younger and nicer. I use to let people borrow my books, especially when I was really excited about the book and wanted others to read and feel what I felt. It only took 2 times when I didn't get my books back to not let people borrow them, with the exception of my best friend of 19 years. I've tried to break the habit, but I get slightly paranoid if I don't do it. Lol

Jolyon Trevelyan · Post by **Jolyon Trevelyan** » 16 May 2015, 09:29

I used to when i was younger. But i don`t do it anymore.

KatSK · Post by **KatSK** » 16 May 2015, 21:33

Absolutely not! My friends made fun of me constantly in college (I was an English minor). I cannot handle the idea of making in books for any reason. I would use post its to mark passages or pages and I had a separate notebook to write down quotes from various novels that particularly moved me.

momoftwocuties · Post by **momoftwocuties** » 16 May 2015, 22:19

I don't write in the books, but I like the idea of putting you initials on the last page!

Pretzelsing · Post by **Pretzelsing** » 16 May 2015, 22:25

I usually do not write my name on the front flap of a book because honestly: I see no point. I mean, I buy a lot of books from the thrift store and they have names written on the front. It doesn't really bother me, but then again, I wouldn't do it. I prefer of more a professional look to the book, without any writing or markings in them, so that the book itself looks more new.

V_bansal2912 · Post by **V_bansal2912** » 17 May 2015, 05:29

I don't like to write my name on books...!! just doesn't feel right..!!

avid reader28 · Post by **avid reader28** » 18 May 2015, 10:51

I've never written my name inside my book cover

Lovely_Loreley · Post by **Lovely_Loreley** » 01 Jun 2015, 14:45

Jenie wrote:I don't write my name inside my book cover, I feel as if it take from it. Instead, I sign my initials at a corner of the last page of the book. Just to leave a mark that it was once mine.

I like that, it definitely has a unique flair! I've never written my name in a book but I used to script my first initial, M, on the inside front cover of books I really liked. I sometimes did it to library books too, but I did it in pencil so it could be erased if needed. It was a way for me to identify books I had read and liked, especially if it was a library book that I wanted to check out again/if I wanted to browse other things by the author.

BookAddict1211 · Post by **BookAddict1211** » 01 Jun 2015, 17:41

No I dont

sw8706 · Post by **sw8706** » 01 Jun 2015, 23:45

Nooooooo way. I've never been able to bring myself to write in any book.

Max Tyrone · Post by **Max Tyrone** » 03 Jun 2015, 13:41

I don't think I have the need to. I learned my lesson with lending books out. I lent my niece my only copy of Dandelion Wine in hopes that she would finish it in the course of a couple of months and then return it. That was a year ago, and I got another used copy (with a name inside the cover). I feel like even becoming a public library wouldn't stop this from happening.

I do make markings inside the text, though, for notes and memorable lines. They're mine, so why not?

kstockard · Post by **kstockard** » 05 Jun 2015, 09:28

When I was little I would always write my name inside the book and now when I see books from my childhood, I question my motivation behind writing in the book. There is one book where I wrote my full name in cursive and I keep asking myself, "what was I thinking?" It may have been the thrill of getting a new book that was solely mine and not a book to share with my siblings. I honestly don't know.

Now I usually only write my name on the inside cover of school books. I know that if at least twenty other people are reading the same book then I want to make sure I know which copy is mine. This way if I leave the book somewhere I have a higher likelihood of getting the book back. Thus, I won't have to pay for a lost book.

When it comes down to loaning out books, I agree with writing my name on the inside cover. I know I have friends who will forget they borrowed the book and think it is their book. However, I rarely loan out my books anymore.

I would like to know the motivations, besides those mentioned above, behind writing a name inside the cover of a book. For those who do place their name in their books, do any of you use bookplates?