This week’s edition of Booking Through Thursday focuses on the care one takes of the books they own.

1. Are you careful with the spines? Or do you crack your books open to make them lay flat?

I try to be very meticulous when it comes to not breaking the spines of books I own. There are paperback books I’ve read that you can barely tell I’ve touched. I am amazed at the condition of books I see at used book stores.

2. Do you use bookmarks? Or do you dog-ear the corners? If you do use bookmarks, do you use those fashionable metal ones? Or paper?

I use bookmarks. Anyone who would dog-ear a corner of a book I had loaned to them would never be loaned another of my books! I usually use either paper (or card stock) bookmarks or I’ll just take a scrap of paper and make a quick and dirty place holder.

3. Do you write in your books? Ever? If you do, do you make small marks, or write in as much blank space as you can find? Pen or pencil? Highlighter? Your name on the front page?

I almost never write in a book I own. I don’t know why, but it just feels somehow disrespectful. The exception was always textbooks, which I would write additional notes or highlight. But the highlighting thing only works to a point…the more you highlight, the less effective highlighting becomes. My dad will highlight (or underline) whole passages or chapters of reference books he’s reading, for reasons that I have yet to figure out.

4. Do you toss your books on the floor? Into bookbags? Or do you treat them tenderly, with respect?

I don’t “toss” them anywhere. If I take one to work with me, I might place it in my laptop case, but my books generally don’t leave home because that’s where I do the most reading.

5. Do you ever lay your book face-down, to save your place?

No. If I have no bookmark, I’ll grab a piece of mail and hold my place that way.

6. Um–water? Do you bathe with your books? Hold them with wet hands? Read out in the rain? Anything of that sort?

I take showers, so trying to read a book there probably wouldn’t be a good idea. Reading in the rain? Does anyone do that? I might read inside while it’s raining outside, but I don’t see any appeal in reading while you’re being rained on.

7. Are your books lined up on a bookshelf? Or crammed in any which way? Stacked on the floor?

My books are on bookshelves (though at the moment they’re still in boxes). They’re lined up fairly neatly, but depending on the depth of the bookcase, I might line up paperbacks two-deep.

8. Do you make a distinction–as regards book care–between hardcovers and paperbacks?

I take care of both equally, but I have a higher regard for the hardcovers because they cost so much more.

9. And, to recap? Naturally, you love all of your books, but how, exactly? Are your books loved in the battered way of a well-loved teddy bear, or like a cherished photo album or item of clothing that’s used, appreciated, but carefully cared for?

Hmm…probably closer to an item of clothing that’s used, but carefully cared for.

10. Any additional comments?

I wish used bookstores would give a bigger credit for books in “near-pristine” condition. Maybe some do, but none that I’ve visited seem to have such a policy.