December 4, 2020

The holiday gift-giving season is upon us, and if you’re like me and your budget has been stretched thin by all things 2020, then the prospect of buying for your bibliophile friends might be daunting. A paperback book can run you $20, a leather-bound notebook even more, and let’s not even talk about hardbacks. So, what do you do?

Allow me to recommend something that I, a massive bookworm, have loved: silicone sprout bookmarks.

I know that sounds cliché. After all, when you declare yourself to be a bibliophile, the one gift you get in abundance is bookmarks. I very proudly declared myself a lover of the written word around the time I first learned to read, so I have gone through many bookmarks in my life. For a long time, I was impartial to what I used as a bookmark so long as I had a bookmark to use. However, as soon as I got my hands on silicone sprout bookmarks, my outlook changed. These little green cuties are by far my favorite bookmarks I have ever used, and I am determined to own enough of them so I don’t have to use another bookmark ever again.

The bookmarks I bought came in a set of 6 with 3 different shades of green, are almost 2 inches tall, weigh hardly anything, and are made of rubber silicone. The silicone is great because it provides enough friction against the paper to keep the bookmark in place without it being sticky and leaving a residue behind, and the flexibility ensures durability. I’ve had my sprouts for years without seeing any wear and tear.

Why I like these bookmarks so much is because they are versatile and convenient. I can place the sprout stem down at the top of the book so the leaves stick out, marking my place visually (and adorably). Or I can slip the sprout stem into the spine crack inside the book, so the entire sprout is inside and the book flops open to my place readily (and adorably). This latter method is my preferred. While it is fun to show off these little guys by sticking them out the top of the book, the stem is just a little too short, so as soon as you open the book, even a little, they tend to fall out. By putting the entire sprout inside the book, I can keep both my page place and bookmark safe. Furthermore, when I place them inside, I can place multiple bookmarks throughout the book. I’ve done this with my Bible studies and book club books where I am often moving back and forth between sections during a discussion.

The pack of 6 runs roughly $10 for the set depending on where you buy. Maybe not as exciting as a new book or as promising as a beautiful journal, but these sprout bookmarks are thoughtful, practical, and nice all the same.

As you boldly set out to get literary-related gifts in the midst of 2020, be sure to check out silicone sprout bookmarks for your bibliophile friends. Or just buy them for yourself. You won’t regret it.

Special thanks to The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson for modeling my bookmarks.