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SeaStar
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My dc are receiving several books this year as gifts. I always debate writing their names and the date on the inside cover. Something inside me cringes at the thought of writing in a beautiful new book.
OTOH, I always enjoy opening a book and seeing the date it was given.
I also enjoy reading the inscriptions in used books that I have bought.
I also love the idea of beautiful book plates, though I have never actually purchased any 
What do you do at your house?
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MaryM
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We are giving several books to godchildren this Christmas and I just finished writing in them - date and signature. But I did think about it because I have mixed feelings - not with the idea of writing in a book but the what if they don't keep it. Buying used books with inscriptions bothers me more. But I do it because I hope they will be keepsakes and I really treasure the ones I have that my dad signed and dated with a little note. Especially since his death those have been really special.
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jawgee
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No.
We have so many second-hand books with inscriptions that somehow it feels weird to me to inscribe a book.
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Mackfam
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MaryM wrote:
| I really treasure the ones I have that my dad signed and dated with a little note. Especially since his death those have been really special. |
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Yes. This.
There are some books that are absolute treasures, not only because of the delights within the covers, but because of the thought behind the book in the person giving it, and finding a name of someone we love dearly written in a book is such a warm feeling.
Now, this doesn't have to do with books, but my Granny had a habit of writing, in sharpie, on the bottom of every.single.gift she received....who gave it to her, and the date. Every single thing! When she died, it was a joy to go through her very simple and humble treasures, all with names and dates on them. And the sweet music boxes I helped pick out for her as a child, came back to me as an adult, and sit on my shelf and bring me a sweet smile. All because she took the time to put a name on the bottom of the gift.
We don't inscribe every book, just the ones that would likely be keepsakes, and the ones that are special and thoughtful gifts.
MaryM wrote:
| Buying used books with inscriptions bothers me more. |
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This gave me pause the first time I encountered it, and then I chose to view it as an opportunity to extend prayer for the giver and the receiver of the book that we were now blessed with. Now, every time I get a book with a person's name in it, I send up a prayer for them. And special books with old inscriptions that are visited often...well, it's almost like those names become friends through our little prayers. This is the case for a Caryll Houselander book I ordered once. It's a very old copy, and inside the book was a holy card for a priest's ordination anniversary in the 40's. I was thrilled! I pray for him often! Since I adopted this practice so many opportunities to pray for people have come my way - I find holy cards with the names of deceased tucked in books, and names written in old, old books of people that must be long past. What a gift to be able to pray for them all, and it's an easy reminder every time I open the cover of the book. (I always keep a holy card with a book if it comes with the book.) Just thought I'd share our practice since it's such a wonderful blessing to find used books, and in so doing, often finding names tucked within the covers, names of people I can offer a quick prayer for.
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SeaStar
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That is beautiful, Jen. Thanks for sharing!
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Mimip
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I do inscribe names and dates of books because I love the idea that a book holds a beautiful meaning for someone. Not every book gets inscribed but the ones given as gifts get some sort of note.
Coincidentally when I was scrapbooking, many moons ago when I had time , I read a beautiful story about a woman whose mother passed away when she was in her teens but in EVERY single book in their house was someone's name and date. She lived to cherish that handwriting and loved to be able to share that with her children.
My husband and I met, fell in love and were engaged during our college years so for many occasions we gave each other books. For our first Valentine's Day I gave him a copy of Forget not Love about St. Maximilian Kolbe since I knew he was gathering books for his senior thesis. The inscription was so lovely innocent and profound that my children love to read it and to think that we had only known each other a month. 
So yes, we inscribe 
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all for God
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Books get past around so much at our house it never made much sense to inscribe the books.
But if it were something extra special I would.
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This doesn't answer your question but I guess I'll share my story...
I found a "Little Women" book recently that I couldn't recall ever purchasing. My DD 12 and I both read it. Inside the front, it was inscribed to me and said "Happy 10th Birthday, Kathryn Love, Tiffany and Shelby 1979".
Can you imagine? I just love it. This was one of my dearest friends from when we were 3 years old. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding and Shelby was her sister. As the years have rolled on we've somewhat lost touch but it sure did bring back memories.
OTOH...I too feel bad for the giver when I purchase a book with an inscription because I feel like the receiver didn't treasure it like it was meant to be treasured. ?
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I like to inscribe books that we give as presents to our God children and niece.
For my children I've yet to do this because, well, it really is for everyone. Even though every Christmas they each get one wrapped book from mom (with their particular interest/likes in mind). I haven't heard one say "that's just mine you can't read it"
I did have my oldest dd's first KJV bible monogrammed and I know that was special just for her.
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I've used book plates but I've misplaced the rest of the box I used years ago, so not anymore, but I do love them!
But not every book gets an inscription -- only the really special ones -- the ones I hope the children keep and pass along to their children as well.
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oh Jen, what a beautiful idea to pray for the inscribee! (is that a word?) I am embarrassed at all the opportunities for prayer I've missed. thank you for that suggestion!
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YES, We inscribe out books,
especially the special ones that they have pawed over at the book shop- or at the library., and then we finally yet a copy of that particular book.
The kids all know there books.  and even at 23 love reading who its from,
Leanne
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SeaStar
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Sometimes, if I buy a book that is already inscribed, I add my kids names and the date underneath... sometimes even the day of the week. Then it is fun when we read those to look at the book's "history".
But I don't inscribe many of our books. I am inspired to do more after reading here
I have been looking on line also for printable book plates... somehow they fascinate me, though I have never even used one.
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I like to inscribe them when I remember or have time. If it's to all the kids, I inscribe it to all of them, then they know it's for all, so no quibbles, and they all know how precious they are to us.
I love what you said about when you find an inscription on a used book, Jen. I too, have often prayed for those who gave/received the books. It makes my awareness of the reality of the Communion of Saints so real and tangible. It's neat, there's no creepy feeling like many might feel when thinking of a person who has passed away, rather a feeling of grace, and all that grace can still do for that person, if we only take the time to extend grace to them through prayer. God is so amazing in all he's given us, His gifts are so great. He set it up that even if those who have died can no longer gain graces to help shorten their time in purgatory, we here on earth can, just by a simple prayer for them.
I also often have hope that if the person is still living that my little prayers bring them the graces they may need right at that moment in their life. Isn't that neat, that through God's grace, we may be able to assist someone in a great time of need in their life, just because we happened to buy a discarded book, and send up a prayer for them?
Okay, back to the original topic!
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Personally, I love to purchase old inscribed books. I have several books from the 1800's with lovely inscriptions. They really had nice handwriting in those days! Once, I purchased a book that had a handwritten letter in the old German script. I speak some German and so was able to translate part of it (although the script was difficult to read). It was a letter about Hitler coming to power, and the writer, who was distressed about Hitler's rise, said, "Remember, Christ the King is still reigning on His throne!" Talk about living history and a connection to a person of faith in a dark time. You can believe I prayed for this faithful person. I've found family photos, notes, and prayer cards, too. I love finding these treasures! So I do sometimes inscribe special books. Maybe one day someone will find a bit of our "history" interesting!
Unfortunately, the historic letter crumbled quickly to pieces as it was so old and dry. 
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SeaStar
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stellamaris wrote:
Personally, I love to purchase old inscribed books. I have several books from the 1800's with lovely inscriptions. They really had nice handwriting in those days! Once, I purchased a book that had a handwritten letter in the old German script. I speak some German and so was able to translate part of it (although the script was difficult to read). It was a letter about Hitler coming to power, and the writer, who was distressed about Hitler's rise, said, "Remember, Christ the King is still reigning on His throne!" Talk about living history and a connection to a person of faith in a dark time. You can believe I prayed for this faithful person. I've found family photos, notes, and prayer cards, too. I love finding these treasures! So I do sometimes inscribe special books. Maybe one day someone will find a bit of our "history" interesting!
Unfortunately, the historic letter crumbled quickly to pieces as it was so old and dry. |
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Wow- what a find! Way cool 
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Yes, but the most I can bring myself to do is use a pencil I really do enjoy though finding golden books from my childhood with my or my brother's name and our age on it.
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I'm starting to debate it because so often the books my oldest son gets become family books now and soon will be read by all the children. So I guess for me it would only be special ones from here on out to identify the original or actual owner, while the others are using something that someone else received.
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I love to see my mum's script when I open one of my older books. Some are just "with love," that sort of thing, but others have little messages about the book or what she hoped I would gain from the reading. I try to do the same for the "good" books I buy my boys.
Jen, I found a holy card inside a book just over a year ago, for a religious sister who lived in PA (I have no idea how that book found it's way to a MI book sale.) But I had the same idea to pray for her, and I do. It is really neat, finding those little "extra" treasures inside a book!
Now, I am off to Barnes and Noble!
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Stacy in MI
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LucyP
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I almost without fail inscribe books. Even when I buy them for myself, I will write in the date and place of purchase and perhaps a note for myself. It is an intrinsic part of reading to my children for me to read the inscription first. It makes us all smile.
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4Real Forums : Planning and Ordering our Days
Topic: Do you inscribe books for your kids?
