This weeks question was a fun one for the Traveling Sisters and we hope that a few of you will also join in on the discussion with us. Norma always has these random questions she is curious about so she has asked our Traveling Sisters a weekly (sometimes more) book related question. We thought it would be fun and interesting to take some of those questions to our blog and see what you all think or do.
The best answer this week was from Kris! She had a few of us on the floor laughing.
Norma’s random book question:
So here is my next question that I have always wondered about us book lovers!
When reading do you keep your books in pristine shape as much as possible or are you everything goes? Do you use a bookmark to mark your page? And where or how do you store your books?
I might have included more than one question but it all pertains to the shape of our books though. LOL
Norma’s Answer
So I like to keep my books in pristine shape as much as possible. I always use a bookmark, I don’t crack the spine, and always store it in a book bag on my way to and from work. I don’t have any rhyme or reason in the way my books are stored though. They are actually all over the house in any spare spot that I can find. I do have about 3 bookcases full of unread books, books in my closet, under my bed, on my nightstand, at work, on the floor in a box. The list just goes on. LOL
I absolutely love my bookmarks and collect them. I rotate them and always like to buy new ones. If I loose one….the search is on. I actually have bookmarks with pictures of my kids on them that they made for me as a Mother’s Day gift in elementary school. I suggested a bookmark craft to the school one year as I thought it would be the perfect keepsake. They loved the idea and kept up the tradition throughout my kids school years. I still have all three bookmarks!
Brenda’s Answer
I keep my books in good condition but I like to carry them from room to room with me. When my husband is not home I leave them on the bed. So they don’t always stay in pristine shape. When I was younger and not so forgetful I never used anything to mark my pages. I would just remember where I left off. Now I use a bookmark. I have a few and carry them with my books.
I book stress shop and I buy a lot of books. I had a book closet but it was too small so now I have a walk-in closet for all my books. I collect unread books. Once I read them I give them to family or friends.
Lindsay’s Answer
I don’t purchase many books (thanks to my lovely local library and NG), but when I do, I try to keep them in good shape. Always use a bookmark! Love my bookmarks but I am like many of you and have used many different things found around the house to mark my page. I would never think of folding a page – eeekkk – just thinking of that makes me cringe.
I have a 5 shelf bookcase in my living room and a 6 shelf bookcase in my bedroom for the books I loved and want to keep along with all the others I haven’t read. I lend out or donate any books that I’ve read and didn’t love so they don’t take up any space on my shelves.
Kris’s Answer
I do my best to keep my books in pristine condition.
I store all my books in a climate controlled room where I monitor the humidity levels as to not warp a single page.
Just kidding, I don’t do that. But one can dream …🤓💭
I like to keep my books all together in my bedroom so I know where they are and that they are safe, and I always travel with my current read.
I use bookmarks, but I have definitely been known to use a receipt, post it, playing card, and even once, a ziplock baggie, as to not fold a page! But I try to remember to throw a bookmark in my book when I first decide to read it.
I do have some older books that have been through the mill—ones I’ve read and reread as a teen—and I kind of love their worn out, smoothed over, I read-the-heck-outta-this condition.
Please join in our discussion and let us know your answer. We would love to hear from you!
graphics by Lovelytocu
Penny For Our Thoughts 
I use kindle, sometimes I feel like throwing it when the book angers me. But I don’t. So my books are in pristine condition. I am waiting to see if they can make kindle in color at least then the cover would appear in color…
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Oh that would be awesome if they would make the Kindle in color….I would totally get one! LOL
Hahaha I had to laugh when you said that sometimes you feel like throwing your kindle…..I have actually thrown a book because it angered me but gently on my bed though. LOL
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I’m a neatnik so a pristine book keeper here! No cracked spines, no dog-eared pages , and I’ve been known to remove the dust jacket to keep it in tip top shape while reading. Whoever invented book darts is a genius! I use them to mark quotes or passages that speak to me. I have a collection of bookmarks but have been known to use just about anything.
Despite the looks of horror from me my husband dog ears his books. So now he isn’t allowed to touch my books, hehe. I have a small office lined with shelves filled with books I’ve loved and those I have yet to read. I donate most books I’ve read except for my top favorites.
I read so much on my kindle these days I don’t often buy a book. When I borrow from the library my first choice is an e-book.
I’ll confess to a literary sin: Once or twice I have been so disgusted by a book I threw it away 😬 (Not a kindle book obviously!)
Fun question!
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Jan, I need to get myself some of those book darts! I collect unread books and pass on the books I have read to Brenda, mom, and my daugher-in-law. There is just no way I’m able to keep any books that I have read as I have absolutely no room to store them. LOL
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I keep my books in pristine condition as much as possible. I use a bookmark and, like Norma, I collect bookmarks. I have an entire drawer full of them. If I can, I try to match the bookmark to the book I’m reading. For example, if I’m reading a book set during the American Revolution, I’ll use the wooden bookmark with the cutout of a Revolutionary soldier that I got at a gift shop in Concord, MA. I don’t always have a bookmark that matches, but it’s fun when I do. If I’m away and don’t have a bookmark with me, I’ll use whatever is handy.
As far how I store my books, well I have a house full of bookcases and book shelves and still not enough room for all my books. The overflow ends up in piles on the floor, on tables and chairs – wherever there’s a space. My dream is to someday have a room in my house converted into a library.
I have a few bookcases that are prized possessions. One was built by my father when he was a kid. Another was built by a very dear friend. It’s a revolving bookcase – really cool. The other is an antique case with a glass door. My grandparents bought it from an estate sale from the home of Governor Robinson who, I think, was the second governor of Vermont. It’s been passed down in the family from my grandparents to my parents, to me. I don’t have kids, but I do have lots of book-loving younger cousins so I will probably leave it to one of them.
By the way, I love these questions. They’re really fun!
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I love that Eileen! Matching your bookmark to your book – brilliant! Such a great idea!! Thanks for sharing. 😊💜
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Oh Eileen I think you are book twin! LOL
I’m so happy that you think these questions are fun! I think so too and I love reading everyone’s comments.
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I LOVE to keep my books in pristine condition! No spines cracked, no dog earing the pages and I get really annoyed if the covers are that kind of material that gets smudgy fingerprints all over it!! 😂 In fact, only my sister is allowed to borrow my books coz I know she’ll treat them right. Do I have issues?? 😂😆
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Oh, I don’t like those covers either that show off our smudgy fingerprints. I am continuously wiping those covers. LOL
I don’t think you have issues at all, Beth! You sound totally fine to me! hehehe
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As someone else said, I read a lot on my Kindle these days (digital galleys were my gateway drug), but when I do read physical books, I don’t dog ear pages. Ever. I love bookmarks and have so, so many, and my favorites are some that I made a few years ago. I also try not to break the spine. But. A lot of my physical books were purchased used, so they were never in pristine condition to begin with. Definitely alleviates my concerns about marring them.
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I love that you make your own bookmarks, Myndi! I think I’m going to try to tackle that craft next and make a bunch of bookmarks! Thanks for the idea! 🙂
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Yay! If you feel like sharing, I’d love to see the bookmarks you make when you get the chance. I know so many of us book lovers are bookmark addicts as well and it is SO much fun to make them. Love seeing what others come up with. 🤓
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Yes, I will absolutely share! 😊
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It sounds bad, but I treat hardcover books better than paperbacks. I will read paperbacks by the pool, while taking a break from working in the garden, baking etc. They are usually pretty well read by the time I donate them to someone else. I do use a bookmark no matter what I read, I never turn down pages. Hardcover books almost look brand new when I am finished with them.
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I don’t think that sounds bad at all, Carla! I love that you donate your books too. I always use a bookmark as well and I keep them in there protective case too. LOL
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I am a fidgeter, my bookmarks are rolled, split, if they have stuff attached those often fall off etc. I still use them as they all have some kind of significance because my mom and my kids give them to me when they go away etc.
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