Writing in books and other horrifying acts

On a recent road trip, I wanted to make some notes from a book I was reading. As I looked around for paper, my husband asked me why I didn’t just write in the book.

"I can't do that."

“Why not?”
“I don’t know, I just can’t.”

“Is it your book?”

“Yes.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I just can’t, and I also can’t tear out articles from magazines.”

“Why not?”

“I think it’s from all those years of writing for magazines,” I said. “I know how much hard work goes into every article.”

I told him that many years ago while waiting at the ophthalmologist’s office, I asked a receptionist to make a copy of an article for me. She said no one had ever asked her to do that before because everyone else just ripped them out of the magazine.

At that moment I knew I could never be a receptionist because I would get mad at everyone who defaced the waiting room magazines.

It’s a problem, I know. What about you? Do you write in books and tear pages from magazines? I promise I won’t get mad if you tell me!

Write soon,

Mary