Marginality

Lately, one of my English professors has been talking about marginality pertaining to what's in the margins of the book, i.e. what's insinuated or alludes to something else that is not expressly mentioned in the text... Or what we write in the margins of the book.

It might surprise some people that even though I'm an English major, I hate writing in books. Or at least I did... I still prefer not to if I can help it. Strange, I know.
"Hi. My name is Lindy. And I have a problem."
Audience: "Hi, Lindy."

I've always been one of the OCD book people where I want to keep the book in the best, most pristine condition possible. No dog ears. No underlining, God forbid highlighting, circling or words written in my book. Most especially, no bent covers and Never break the spin ("or I break you neck" I'd joke with friends who borrow my books).

Unfortunately I've learned that I pretty much have to write in book for school. For a few years I tried not to, but it's too inconvenient. How am I supposed to take a timed exam of 3 short essays and 2 long essays without points marked in the book to help me find quotes?! Let me tell you, it was very difficult.

There is another, non-book-punishing way to go about this, but.... that's a lot of sticky notes. A lot. And, if they fall out of my books in my backpack or wherever - screwed. So, there you have it. I'm getting better at it each semester, making myself underline quotes and key points to help me study. It's handy, but I think it will still be a long, long while before I'd ever mark up one of my personal, leisure reading books. One, they are awesome overall. Two, do not want my pages marked up. Three, there are so many cool parts that I'd run out of pens.


P.S. Dog-eared pages = the devil. Why would you do that? Why?!?! ok, I'm done.