Writing? IN BOOKS?

[sherlyholmes]

How do you feel about writing in books? By that, I mean, when people write little notes in the margin or underline specific passages. People writing in books happens to be my biggest pet peeve. It's just one of those small things that make me irrationally angry. How do you feel about it?

[TrishaAnn92]

I am right a long with you. If I want to write something down about what I am reading I will usually write it down in a notebook. I like to keep my books clean, haha. I just think it seems messy and a little disorienting (for me at least) to see writing in the margins. Then again I am a little OCD and particular about things like that.

[audreync13]

I'm perfectly fine with writing in the front of the book, like if it was a gift and the person left a personalized note, but otherwise noted in the margin and highlighting in a book are very aggravating to me.I also think it can be very distracting and take away from what I'm reading.

[TrishaAnn92]

Yeah I agree with that. I will sometime write what year I got the book and from who if it hold any sentimental valie but otherwise I cant stand writing in the margins.

[Maud Fitch]

Never, ever liked people writing in books - FYI wouldn't this topic be better in Community & Off Topic?

[gali]

I never write in my books and use notes if I want to write my thoughts about the books.

[klickaal]

Writing in the body of a story drives me nuts! I'm always thinking "Why did they underline that? What's the star for? Who highlights everything?"

[Ammonia]

It's awful. It's ruining the whole book. That's what bookmarks and notebooks are invented for - so people wouldn't have to ruin a perfectly good book with some sort of scribbles.

[Artemisia]

I agree with you sherlyholmes. Unless you are famous or absolutely certain you will be one day (ha), writing in books is a huge no-no. Unless of course you are famous - then that book will be valuable in a few hundred years

[tstaf4d]

I do not have a problem with people who write directly in their books, but I personally cannot handle doing it to any books I have read. I choose to use sticky notes, or write notes on a piece (or several pieces) of paper. I have had to use books that have been written in and unfortunately, because people do not think alike I had a hard time deciphering what the previous person was referring to, and I could not focus on the content.

[Craigable]

I recall sitting in an undergraduate college lit course and noticing another student across from me writing quite a lot in her book as the professor lectured. Nothing unusual in that...except that it was a college library book. It was a disturbing sight for me to witness, I confess.

[Loveabull]

It depends on the book and if it's going to be donated past the original reader. There are some reference books that I've written a kind of "quick find" guide in the front so I can find particular sections faster. I also had some texts in school that were used and written in. If the previous students were well written, sometimes their notes were helpful additions. But the average book I don't write in.

[Reader B]

I recently checked out some library books that had passages underlined and stared. It was distracting and I don't understand writing in someone else's book. If it's your book and you want to make notes, fine, but not in something someone else is going to use.

[The Bookaholic]

I hate it, it drives me nuts. Some people have no respect for books and the authors.

[Dream Catcher]

During my school years someone had written the w ding of 'Of Mice and Men' on the inside cover.