what pen do you use to write on books when you are reading

[kodreaming]

Maybe it is better to actually take notes in a notebook when you are reading.

But, I like to just write on the book itself, e.g. my short comments or mark certain words/lines.

 

Fountain pen doesn't work here as most paper can't handle ink. I would rather not to use highlighter (reminds me of exam cram).

 

What do you use ? A fine ballpoint/rollerpoint ? pencils ?

[Yuki Onitsura]

I rarely write on my books because I'm a bit anal about keeping them in pristine condition. On the rare occassions when it can't be helped, I use a mechanical pencil with softer grade leads (e.g. 2B).

 

Yuki

[jips123]

Depends on the kind of book whether to write in them or not. When I write in books they are mostly legal literature. The writing is done mainly in the train so I use a fp with a snap on cap for convenience, like a parker 75, sonnet or a waterman exclusive.

[Bartimaeus]

My attitude towards writing in books has changed several times during the years. But every now and then I do find something written with fountain pen in the margin of one of my books. So I'm not convinced that most books cannot stand fountain pen ink.

I have used a ballpoint only very occasionally. A ballpoint needs too much pressure and it can be seen from the other side. Mostly pencil. Rather soft (B if that's a standard grade in your country too) and not too well sharpened.

 

Edit: I agree that highlighter looks horrible, just horrible.

Edited March 14, 2010 by Bartimaeus

[bwnewton]

I use a Lamy Safari fountain pen almost exclusively for underlining and marginalia. Lamy Blue or Lamy Blue-Black inks work great for me, no bleeding or feathering. I've also had success with the new Sharpie Pen especially in my Bible. On occasion I like a wood-case pencil or my Lamy Safari mechanical pencil.

[tanburi]

I don't ever touch on the paper with a writing instrument.

[goodguy]

Write on a book ?

 

NEVER!!!

[ladyambrosia]

Write on a book ?

 

NEVER!!!

 

+1

[Highbinder]

I don't write notes on the books (thats what journals are for) but I'll often score a line down the margin to make a section or paragraph stand out. Books are there to be used and all my own are quite tatty. I take great pleasure in reading a new book for the first time and breaking it in - giving it creases in the spine and dog-earing the page as markers.

[FrankB]

I have to rally with the folks who don't write in books. I use a notebook for any comments I might have. That being the case, I can use any size nib point I want.

[handwriter]

I don't write in books but I do write a lot in printed journal articles, for this one of my favories is Namiki Falcon (SF nib)

[ladyambrosia]

I don't write notes on the books (thats what journals are for) but I'll often score a line down the margin to make a section or paragraph stand out. Books are there to be used and all my own are quite tatty. I take great pleasure in reading a new book for the first time and breaking it in - giving it creases in the spine and dog-earing the page as markers.

 

I do agree that books should be used and I also like breaking them in But I also swap my books so I tend not to dog ear ect. But I am happy to leave it sitting open and get a crease in the spine ect.

[The Write Pen]

Most of the books I read are connected to my spiritual walk or study materials, so yes, I write in them, usually with a combo. Sometimes I use the pencil end, sometimes the FP end. I do sometimes read fiction, but don't write in them.

 

Regards,

 

danny

[tonybelding]

For those who are aghast at the idea of writing in your books. . .

 

Marginalia has a long and respectable history. Sometimes people would write their own notes and comments in the margins, then loan the book to friends who could add their own notes, so that it would turn into a kind of extended conversation about the book.

 

Marginalia: Readers Writing in Books

[Anna Cecilia]

I don't write in books, I use notebooks, but I do love it when I find an old second hand book that has been annotated by someone many years ago. I sometimes spend more time analyzing their notes and handwriting than reading the actual book. The paper used for books is often quite porous so not very fountain pen friendly, my friends who do annotate books use pencils or ball points.

[Namo]

I write a lot on my books, underlining passages, writings ideas and so on. I usually use a pencil. Some books, I read more than one time, and it is convenient to be able to erase old notes from time to time.

[2Hearts]

Write on a book ?

 

NEVER!!!

 

+1

 

Textbooks, I would consider pencil notes, but never in a book I was reading.

[Pippin60]

I never write in novels, but I will make notes in manuals or texts. I use my Parker 51 or 21 both with a fine nib. Their both the finest writers I have that are not scratchy to me.

[Fuddlestack]

I use an Opinel, to carve whichever unutterable cad dares write in my book!!!

[ke4pcx]