I'm still in the honeymoon phase with my beloved e-reader, since we won't have our one-year anniversary until November. I'm not quite sure how to handle that milestone, though, since the first anniversary is traditionally celebrated with PAPER, and these books are made of e's, not pulp.
But I digress.
Since I love many, many things about my Nook, it's entirely possible there will be sequels to this post, with roman numerals differentiating my ramblings on the topic. But right now, the thing I love most about my Nook is. . .
Bookmarking.
Yes, of all the features my Nook possesses, this is the one that makes my heart flutter the most.
I have a love/hate relationship with bookmarks for paper books. I absolutely adore all the promotional ones I've received from authors, with the glossy printed covers, and tantalizing information about upcoming releases. I've collected a zillion of them over the years, and for all I know, I've got a first-edition bookmark hidden somewhere that's worth a fortune.
But that's my problem: I can't ever find these beautiful bookmarks when I need them. They disappear. I suspect they're all hiding in the same place. I just can't figure out where that is, nor am I willing to devote any of my valuable reading time to a scavenger hunt.
Don't suggest that I turn down the corner of the page. I refuse to do that, as I've mentioned before, because it feels like I'm causing the poor book to scream in agony if I do. I don't really like to place a book face down either, but I will do it, very carefully so as not to break the spine, if I can't find something to use as a bookmark.
Which brings us to what I usually do -- try to find something, anything, to use as a bookmark.
I'd forgotten how creative I am at this until the other day when I noticed something sticking out of a book on the lower shelf of the coffee table. It was a nail file, a hot pink zebra-print thing, marking my place in a book that I hadn't returned to in a while. In fact, I'd been wondering what had happened to that particular nail file. Now I know where it is the next time I snag a nail. But then I'll have to find something else to serve as a bookmark so I can use it for its original purpose.
Over the years I've used grocery receipts, envelopes, embroidery thread, pens, movie ticket stubs. . .
When you're a packrat, there is an endless supply of potential bookmark material within reach. There is also an infinite supply of frustration when you can't find the item that is living out its life as a placeholder for your reading material.
But with my Nook, I just have to tap the upper right-hand corner of the screen, and it places an adorable little flag-looking bookmark there. Heck, if I forget to do that, it creates a bookmark for me. The next time I wake up the Nook, it presents the screen I was reading the last time I was there, whether or not I was conscious enough to ask it to.
So while there are many reasons to wax nostalgic about "real" books (and I'm one who doesn't ever want them to disappear), I can say this with the utmost confidence:
My Nook can beat the bookmarks off paper books, every time.
Great post, Donna! I have a collection of bookmarks too for use when I'm reading a hardback or paperback but have restored to things like paper napkins, index cards and glossy travel pamphlets when I can’t put my hands on one.
I said I’d never use an e-reader but two years ago my husband bought me a Kindle for Christmas and I fell in love. With the Kindle (er, already loved hubster). I’m talking head-over-heels-passionately in love. Shocked me because I was always preaching about the feel and smell of a ‘real’ book. I still love those, but now admit love my e-reader more.
This year, I got a Kindle Fire and hubby got my Kindle. I went from passionate e-reader love to mad obsession. I’m sure you feel the same about your Nook. As someone once pointed out to me when moving from one house to another, it was easy to cart his 2000+ books down the steps e-reader-style instead of lugging boxes, LOL!
Posted by: Mae Clair | June 19, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Mae, it sounds like you've been on that same treasure hunt as me when it comes to finding unusual bookmarks! LOL
I didn't think I would enjoy my Nook as much as I have -- I'm a diehard paperback fan, but boy, did I fall hard for e-books. LOL I think I'm reading more as a result. It just seems so easy since I've got a lot on my Nook to choose from (not counting the ones on the Wish List!), and I think I read FASTER too.
I also like that I can read my WIPs on my Nook. It was one reason I wanted an e-reader, so I could take that with me rather than my laptop. Of course, I'm spending more time now reading other people's books!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | June 19, 2012 at 12:21 PM
I'd probably give you "an almost cornonary" (to quote you from your own book!) if I said I occasionally turned the page down...so I I won't tell you that. LOL
I am probably the last person without an e-reader...not entirely intentional, so I'll get there. I love the idea of the e-reader marking my place without me even thinking about it. I'm sure I'd get use to it very fast and wonder why old fashioned books didn't just pop open at my last page! LOL
Posted by: Melissa | June 19, 2012 at 01:03 PM
LOL, Melissa -- yeah, I think I need a sedative now after reading that.
I received my Nook as a gift, which means I got one sooner than if I would have bought it. LOL I kept "researching" to make sure I was getting the best one, and didn't end up buying the one that would get discontinued, etc. Now I can't imagine reading without it.
Posted by: Donna Cummings | June 19, 2012 at 01:26 PM
I'm still trying to figure out my Nook. In fact the only book I've read on it is Lord Midnight. But I have ample experience with disappearing bookmarks. I've developed a strategy though. I use old business cards and 3x5 index cards as bookmarks. Works great and I don't mind if they go missing.
Posted by: Kate Warren | June 19, 2012 at 06:54 PM
Kate, I hope Lord Midnight didn't steal your Nook mojo. LOL It took me a while to get used to it, but I go to the B&N website and check out the FAQ all the time. They also have a live chat with support that can be helpful.
Old business cards and index cards are excellent choices too. Just think of all the stuff that won't know what to do with itself now because of ebooks. LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | June 19, 2012 at 07:22 PM
The one thing that worries me about e-readers is the ease with which they gobble up money. One click and my credit card has been charged. I'm seduced by all the lovely books that appear as if by magic and simply don't notice the mounting credit card bill.
I would like to see an additional book mark for revealing the cumulative bill. But I guess Amazon or B&N doesn't want me to be too aware of that! Consequently a new neurosis is about to enter the psychological dictionary: Manic e-book spending disorder.
Oh dear. I think I'm lowering the tone of this wonderfully optimistic blog.
I'd better have another coffee quick! LOL
Posted by: Quantum | June 20, 2012 at 02:12 AM
Q, save me some of that coffee! And you're right about the money-gobbling aspect. Too bad we can't find a way to turn these e-readers into ATMs, spitting out money each time we buy a book. LOL If nothing else, it would help pay for our treatment of this new disorder. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | June 20, 2012 at 09:01 AM