I buy used books: it sucks to see someone else's notes scribbled all over the page. It's like a really annoying guy whispering at you with vapid explanations while you're trying to pay attention to a lecture.

"Cross out stuff you disagree with" actually makes me sick.

It also seems useless for understanding and retention, since highlighting is almost always misleading and margin notes are almost always empty. If you want to write notes, get a notebook, which gives you space to write real thoughts down. I use a trapper-keeper.

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anvuong 31 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

There is nothing wrong with scribbling in your own books.

There is also nothing wrong with donating such books with clearly written disclaimer on the front page about the condition of the book.

Repackaging as 99% likenew and selling them should be a crime though.

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john_strinlai 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

it was funny seeing this right below the comment saying "I _love_ buying a used book and finding a previous reader's notes in the margins. It's the greatest.".

different strokes. if you want to ensure you don't get sick from a line being crossed out, buy new.

	▲	RRWagner 23 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		I have a book (not authored by Edison) that Thomas Edison scribbled his comments in the margin and I was quite happy to read them! Changing my own nearly-religious belief to never write in a book,I found that it totally changed my experience with the book and the author. There are thousands of copies of any particular modern book and it's no longer my task to preserve that unique copy for after the apocalypse. I would like to imagine my children one day being able to see their father's thoughts and dialogue with authors.

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pryelluw 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Your argument is that in order for you to have a better experience the previous owner should not “ruin” the book for you. I’ve read better arguments on bathroom stalls.

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Diogenesian 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

No, my argument is that it's totally obnoxious to lend or resell a book that you've written in, and it's a shallow way of taking notes to begin with. It is precisely what Socrates warned us about.

	▲	dfee 41 minutes ago \| parent \| next [-]
		it's totally obnoxious to buy a copy of a book with notes in it and complain about those notes. 2¢
	▲	emptybits an hour ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Aside from shallow, uncritical notes, consider that annotating in a margin is evidence that a reader is actively engaging with a text. Very often when I write in margins it's to question or argue against what's written (e.g. "really? what about ...", or "no, contradicts ...") which, to me, seems in line with the dialectic process Socrates promoted. Multiple sides, truth-seeking. Sure, having a spacious notebook on the side is even better. But it's the same goal, isn't it? Engage more deeply with a text and encourage questioning as you read it, while it's still fresh.

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jMyles 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

> bathroom stalls

That's like, elite literary territory though. Let's stick to the discussion on books.

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somenameforme 2 hours ago | parent [-]

The first time I read "this sentence is false" it was scrawled in a bathroom stall in the philosophy department. Seemed appropriate. Left me wondering how many other people had also sat there pondering it for a few moments, certainly more than that had called that number for a good time.

	▲	jambalaya8 an hour ago \| parent [-]
		Perhaps "this sentence is false" was actually the precursor to "Jeopardy", though.

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bstsb 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

different people work in different ways. just because you hate it doesn't mean it won't be helpful for others.

also if you're buying used books, expect them to be used!

	▲	giantg2 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		"expect them to be used!" I would expect them to be in the condition they were graded as. I'll avoid poor or fair condition books that have lots of marking in them. Good books that have minimal marking should be fine to me.

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27 minutes ago | parent | prev | next [-]

[deleted]

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BurningFrog 33 minutes ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Obviously (I hope), once you've grafittied your book, you shouldn't sell it as unaltered!

That doesn't mean scribbling in your own book is wrong.

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deaton 42 minutes ago | parent | prev [-]

You can totally mark up your books. No issue with that, if you like it. I don't personally, but I don't see why someone shouldn't do it. Now should you sell those books? Probably not.