Inside Books discussion

I love this. I have so many second hand books that came with previous owner's writing in them, or franticly underlined sentences. I borrowed one from a friend recently and she'd got it via that book site where you 'free your books into the world'. I think the initial owner had underlined his favourite lines, then my friend had. I also added to it.

How do you feel about writing and underlining in books? I used to hate it, but recently have started underlining favourite passages with pencil. I used to love my books crisp and in brand new condition, my mother always told me that books must always be kept so. I realised only recently that I love them ratty and worn, stained and loved.

i absolutely loathe the 'dear so and so' type inscriptions. it's the cryptic ones (usually scribbled on the sides of pages) that i love. i almost agree completely with your rules, however i have been known to underline more frequently than once every ten pages, though rarely. definitely light pencil. and yes, only v.interesting passages.

i don't understand why second hand book stores don't lower the price on scribbled in books. seriously, i've had some confusing arguments with store owners as to why i can't get these ones cheaper. ugh, underlining in pen. really, so unnecessary. what i don't get, is if the book was that important to you that you had to scribble so much pen into it, WHY WOULD YOU GIVE IT UP TO A 2ND HAND STORE?