To dog-ear or not to dog-ear?

That is the real question, my folks. It's the start of a heated debate. Should folding the page of your book illegal among the reading community? And if so, who would dare do it?

For those of you who don't know, dog-earing is when one folds the corner of the page in a downwards manner, like a dog ear. Typically, this is done to save one's spot in their current book - but are their more efficient ways?

The answer is, yes! I mean can you really think of a time where you won't have a slip of paper, a receipt, a bandage- anything! You could even write the page number on your hand. Heck, you could use a spoon if you were that desperate! So, when were there be a circumstance where you would need to resort to dog-earing?

Well, maybe if you're in an empty desert with prickly cacti and no flat surfaces in sight then that is when it would be slightly understandable to fold the end of your page ever so slightly, shielding your sin from the book gods.

My thoughts on dog-earing are a huge mess. I mean half of this schism pride their books like children and would go murder anyone who bestows pain on their book-babies. They value their books as their friends, and who would ever hurt their friend?

But the other half ADORES dog-earing. They believe it's the perfect solution to when book mark-less. And if it's their book, then who's to judge? Dog-earers believe that folding the edge of the page is harmless. It shows personality to both the book and the reader.

Personally, I'd say I'm torn between the schism, sitting right in the middle, not more on one side than the other. I do have to admit, I have folded my fair share of pages. (Please don't fine me, Book Police.) I don't dog-ear borrowed books or absolutely new books but it's fine in my own books. If I'm reading a library book, it's fun to see the places the previous readers stopped (but just a disclaimer, maybe not fold the pages of library books...) How could they have stopped at a part like this? Why did they have to part with their book?

And besides, you can't dog-ear an e-book. So why not savour your paperback books and dog-ear them just a teeny weensy bit. It's better than placing something between the pages that might warp them, or worse... ruin the binding! Oh, the horror!

So the highly anticipated answer is...

It's up to you!

Life is too short to be wasted on wondering what not to do, and just do! Go read, don't worry about the crimes you commit on the way. As long as it's your book, do whatever you wish. The schism between both sides will never end, there will always be those two kinds of readers. So, it's best if you don't worry about it!

And after those lovely few sentences, I will leave you with a highly informative data gathered by a very reliable source.

Okay. Ahem. *Clears throat*

Here it is:

56% NEVER dog-ear their pages.

17% RARELY dog-ear their pages.

25% ONLY dog-ear the pages of books they own.

3% ALWAYS dog-ear no matter the circumstances.