What’s your idea of a perfect bookmark? I’ve tried all kinds - crocheted, cardboard, scrap paper, metal, plastic, ribbon,….

Yesterday, I splurged and picked up two metal bookmarks from Paperchase. One is silver with multicolor polka dots, the other is also silver but with a black inlay of butterflies, hearts, and flowers. They have a nice heft and feel good in the hand but they’re also a little too heavy and smooth, falling out of the book too easily.

I also picked up a set of two acrylic bookmarks which, from past experience, should do their job. I like acrylic bookmarks because they usually have interesting designs and the flexible, see-through feel seems more modern than the traditional paper bookmark with a tassle.

mary engelbreit we love books

Paper bookmarks with a tassel are also in good supply around here. For a while, I collected Mary Engelbreit bookmarks. Mary Engelbreit’s drawings and quirky sayings never fail to make me smile but those darn tassles are forever falling apart. Very disappointing.

Years ago, when we were still dating, Marv got me a sterling silver Tiffany & Co. bookmark in the shape of a heart. It’s beautiful but the paperclip clamp design leaves a mark on pages that bothers me even though I give away half of the books I finish so it’s not like I’m going to see those marked pages again.

The most serviceable bookmarks are also the least pleasing - Post-It flags. Those things mark clearly, stick, and never get worn out. But, man, are they boring.

Lately, I’ve been stealing pages out of Stephen’s notebooks. His crooked handwriting and little sketches remind me of how far I’ve come in the many years since I learned to read. Maybe I should commission him to make a customized bookmark for every book I read like this sketch he created for his Mr. Men collection:

From Stephen’s Toy…

Wonder what he’d come up with for my current read - Punished by Rewards: The Trouble With Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’s, Praise, and Other Bribes? /cue evil laughter