A poll!

[krait]

It just occurred to me: I have paid time, so this means I can use it to satisfy my curiosity about useless things! (If I ran the world, I would use my power to satisfy my curiosity about useless things. There would be profligate spending on scientific studies of everything in the universe.)

Poll #6992 Writing in Books

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 16

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Do you write in your books?

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Yes, often or all the time.
1 (6.2%)

Yes, but only half the time.
1 (6.2%)

Yes, but only occasionally.
2 (12.5%)

Yes, but only when I'm sure I want to keep it.
0 (0.0%)

Yes, but only textbooks or other study materials.
5 (31.2%)

No, for the most part.
1 (6.2%)

No, pretty much never.
3 (18.8%)

No, and I'm horrified by the idea!
3 (18.8%)

Sort of? I use sticky notes or another non-page writing surface.
0 (0.0%)

For those who do write in books, do you:

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write in pencil
5 (41.7%)

write in ink
2 (16.7%)

write in whatever you have to hand
4 (33.3%)

mainly rely on highlighting
0 (0.0%)

This question does not apply to me; I don't write in books.
1 (8.3%)

If you write in books, what do you write?

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Mostly my own reactions (ex: like this part / don't understand this / etc.)
4 (33.3%)

Mostly details (ex: this is Character X / part of plot Point A / etc.)
0 (0.0%)

Meta / Analysis (ex: typical Hero Journey step / Man vs. Nature conflict / etc.)
1 (8.3%)

Reactions and details in about equal measure.
1 (8.3%)

Reactions and meta in about equal measure.
1 (8.3%)

Details and meta in about equal measure.
0 (0.0%)

All of these equally.
3 (25.0%)

Something else: see next question or comments.
1 (8.3%)

This question does not apply to me; I don't write in books.
1 (8.3%)

If you chose "something else", explain here:

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Comments

[branchandroot]

Where "study materials" includes "books I teach, including sf/fantasy/pop" and "books in my professional field that I might be reading for fun but will want annotations on later".

[pantswarrior]

I've never been able to bring myself to write even in textbooks. Workbooks were even kind of difficult for me. And when they tried to get me to highlight bible verses in Sunday school? Uhhhhhh no.

I think it has to do with being able to read since age 2 - books are sort of a level of "holy" for me, and the thought of intentionally causing them to be in anything less than mint condition just does not compute.

[pinesandmaples]

Contrast my answers with rooibos for a good time. She's my wife, but I don't let her borrow my books.

Also, it didn't fit your poll, but I write very extensively in my Bible because it feels like another journaling space. I also take copious notes on my Kindle because my notes will never ruin the book for someone else if they're in a separate folder.