Marginalia Madness: From Taboo to BookTok’s Hottest Trend

Readers generally fall into two camps: those who treasure their books in mint condition, shunning even the slightest crease, and those who embrace the physical evidence of a book well-loved, such as dog-eared pages and notes scribbled in margins. It’s rare to find someone who embodies both traits, and they certainly don’t share their books with each other. However, a new wave of readers is emerging that marries these two approaches by reviving the practice of writing in book margins, turning their reading experiences into visually pleasing displays.

“I’ve noticed people with books that are bursting with colorful sticky tabs,” mentions a TikToker, appearing above a video of thick, tab-filled books. “What’s the purpose? Tell me! It seems like homework. But then again, I do have a fondness for office supplies.”

Within the BookTok and Bookstagram communities, where enthusiasts share reviews, recommendations, and memes about books, there are niche groups dedicated to the art of annotating and using tabs on book pages. The intensity and style of this practice vary widely; some users employ a detailed color-coding system (like pink for romance, blue for foreshadowing), while others simply enjoy the aesthetic of neatly arranged notes. Some fans mark shocking or delightful passages, or even adorn steamy sections with drawings of droplets or hearts. For these readers, annotation has become as essential as posting photos of their bookshelves or writing book reviews.

Marcela, a Bookstagrammer based in Melbourne and originally from the US, shares her annotated reads online under the handle @booksta.babe. She began this practice after engaging in fantasy and young adult book communities for over a decade, as well as groups focused on creating visually appealing, detailed notes and lists. “Before I knew it was called ‘annotating,’ I used to jot down my reactions in the margins to capture my initial thoughts about a story,” Marcela shares. Nowadays, she uses color-coordinated tabs and pens, alongside her reading journals, focusing mainly on books she intends to revisit, like her ongoing project with Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series.

“This method has greatly enhanced my appreciation of the intricate world-building and character development,” she explains. “You can literally see how my views on characters evolve through my notes, and I love being able to look back at my early plot predictions to see which ones were right or wrong.”

Romance and romantasy genres dominate the annotating and tabbing scenes, much like in the broader BookTok and Bookstagram communities. Dr. Jodi McAlister, an academic and author, notes that the mainstream success of authors like Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood, as well as Maas’ A Court Of Thorns and Roses series, has helped reduce the stigma previously associated with reading romance novels. Fans are exploring new ways to express their love for these genres and find community, similar to what has been seen with sci-fi and fantasy enthusiasts for years.

“This community is still discovering how to showcase their love for romance publicly, as they haven’t had a precedent for this,” McAlister observes. Her latest romance novel even features a male scholar who annotates his books in a style reminiscent of a BookTok enthusiast. “By annotating, readers transform these books into highly valued, treasured objects, claiming them as their own and documenting their personal experiences,” she adds.

McAlister’s colleague, Jessica Pressman, refers to this phenomenon as “bookishness,” a behavior that emerges in the post-digital era among passionate readers. This doesn’t mean the practice is merely for show; annotating allows us to trace our initial journey with a book and revisit our thoughts and emotions from that time. Reflecting on a recent emotional read, Meg Mason’s Sorrow and Bliss, I wonder what my marginal notes might have revealed about my reactions to the story and my personal struggles with mental health back in 2021, and what insights they would offer me now.

Annotation has also become a medium for connection. Some BookTok users embellish a copy of a friend’s favorite book with detailed notes and jokes as a thoughtful gift. Marcela is excited about planning such a gift for her best friend. Another friend of mine cherishes the annotations his late mother left in her books on history and poetry, viewing these notes as a precious link to her thoughts. Meanwhile, some enthusiasts hunt for secondhand books with annotations from previous readers or even the authors themselves, seeking a touch of connection with another’s intellectual journey. Last year, Ann Patchett released an annotated edition of her novel Bel Canto, although she cautioned that it was filled with interruptions and spoilers, making it unsuitable for first-time readers. Yet, annotating her own work helped her identify patterns and refine her writing process.

Like McAlister, who prefers to annotate academic texts in a professional capacity, I often find myself too engrossed in a story to pause for annotations. But recently, I took up a pencil while reading a biography of John and Sunday Reed, marking up the margins with exclamation points and personal asides as if I were gossiping with a friend. If it feels a bit like homework, perhaps that’s not entirely negative. Even leisure reading can benefit from the deliberate pace and deeper engagement that comes with annotation, allowing us to linger a little longer in moments of satisfaction.