After delaying for a very long time, I began reading Lydia Davis’ translation of Proust’s Swann’s Way (In Search of Lost Time) and with my trusty pencil in hand, started underlining passages.
Then I realized some people never mark up their books; that the reading world may be divided into those who do and those who do not.
I do. For several reasons:
to enhance concentration;
to provide a quick reference point in the future;
to hear the sound of the pencil on the paper;
to make the book more mine.
How about you? Do you write in your books? If so, why?