The first time I tried to read Cloud Atlas I got to page 16 and gave up. How do I, with a notoriously bad memory, know this? Because I’m reading Cloud Atlas again and when I got to page 16 I found this:
That’s a photo of Amiens, France, taken sometime during the summer of 1990, when I was backpacking through Europe with my college roommate. Evidently I was looking through old photos a few years back and decided this one would make a good bookmark (in other words, I didn’t want to toss the photo back in the box, but couldn’t figure out what else to do with it).
It’s actually getting kind of crowded in Cloud Atlas, because I’m also using as a bookmark this awesome postcard (although it’s slightly less awesome than the one she sent me of James without a shirt…that one is currently living in A People’s History of the US, which serves to make me smirk every time I open the book) sent to me by Care (who is the reason why I’m reading Cloud Atlas, so it’s only fitting that her postcard hang out in the book as I read it):
And wow, was that a doozy of a run-on sentence.
Every time I open Cloud Atlas I also find an appointment reminder for my next doctor’s appointment, stuck there to remind me to actual put the appointment on my calendar, as well as a letter that I want to reply to, and a regular bookmark that was in the last book I read that needed a new home.
Does anyone else put random things that need to be done inside of their current read? I do when I’m too busy to actually sit down and make a to-do list, because it’s the one place where I know I’ll be looking, which will then remind me to do things I need to do.
Of course, if I stop reading this book again, me and my to-do’s are totally screwed.
I don’t do that, but I was thinking you have to pick the book back up for that to be effective.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Review and giveaway: Another Piece of My Heart
I do not do this, but it sounds like an excellent idea.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Tag! I’m It! Again!
That’s hilarious! I mostly read on my Kindle with library books sprinkled in, so I try to keep bookmarks of the more pedestrian variety in case I forget to remove them.
nomadreader´s last [type] ..The 2012 Orange Prize Longlist: A U.S. Reader’s Guide
I collect bookmarks, so often I will carefully select which one I want to use with what book. But yes sometimes other things get grabbed and shoved in there. Grocery lists, receipts, appointment reminders. And I wonder why I forget things?
Sandy´s last [type] ..Pekkanen Until You Puke Month #2: Skipping a Beat – Sarah Pekkanen
If you can make it past the first 40 or so pages of Cloud Atlas, it will get much easier. The next story after Adam Ewing is probably my favorite. The narrator is pretty funny.
Kristi´s last [type] ..An Actual Blog Post
I’ve never used a book as a to do list, but I do keep my to do list in the same notebook as I write notes about books, so I get reminded that way.
Also, unrelated to this post, I would LOVE to do a buddy read for Catch-22. I feel like it’s one of those books that would be better if you read it with people to talk about it with. When were you thinking about reading it?
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)´s last [type] ..When Book Buying Turns into a Book Binge
I do that, especially lately, but not on purpose. I actually forget WHERE my note is and then make another only to find it in the book I am reading. That’s bad.
How is Cloud now? Last time I heard from you, you said it put you to sleep for a couple of hours. LOL.
Ti´s last [type] ..Opening Round: The Tournament of Books 2012
I am always stuffing things into my books I need to remember! I even do it with my Nook and Kindle, I’m so bad. It’s not as much fun re-discovering things I’ve tucked away in those though.
Literary Feline´s last [type] ..The One in Which I Answer Lisa’s 11 Questions
I never thought to put my to do list in my current book … but you’re so right, it would get attention that way!
Jenners´s last [type] ..February Winners and March Giveaway
I use everything as bookmarks… mail, receipts (that’s a big one), gum wrappers, sticky post it notes… recently a friend borrowed a book and brought me back a napkin I had inside the book that I had wrote review notes on. When she returned the book, I put the napkin back in it. It is a part of the book now.
Sheila (Book Journey)´s last [type] ..Morning Meanderings… Kindle, Nook, and what is Google Play?
I tend to use gift cards for bookmarks. I always forget about them.
heidenkind´s last [type] ..Movie Review: HUGO
I do that all the time. I currently have the tax lady’s postcard reminder to set up a tax appointment in my book of choice… because that needs to be done. And in another book, there’s a dental appointment card for the same reason.
Kerry´s last [type] ..The Age-Old Battle of Making Time to Read
Yes, I do that and it can be a disaster because if I stop reading, I have this odd tendency to immediately bury a book. And, then I’ll remember I stuck an appointment card and a receipt in a book but WHICH ONE? And, where on earth could it be?
Love that postcard! I was using a postcard Carrie sent me as a bookmark, too. But, I abandoned that book. I’ve done a lot of abandoning, lately.
I use almost everything as a bookmark. I try to be careful and not put anything too personal though I once used my library card as place marker.
Vasilly´s last [type] ..TSS: Paris, My Sweet by Amy Thomas
I used to do it more so when I loan an old book or reread it I often find fun or mysterious things
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..A Place to Call Home, by Deborah Smith
Oh good. you got it. (I got pretty ecxited whenI found ANOTHER James Dean postcard that I almost tore the store display apart hoping for a third. i didn’t so I am now out of postcards that remind me of your camera.)
I am using a lovely bookmark for Cloud Atlas that Melissa sent me!
Care´s last [type] ..Cloud Atlas First Discussion