How do you autograph or dedicate BWB you are giving to an acquaintance?

Working at our local friends of the library store, I see lots of things written inside the cover of books.  Therefore, I decided, any BWB I gave to people I know "needed" to have something written on that first line that Paul and Shawn so helpfully included. If the person only knows me, I sign my name and joke, "If I ever become famous, this signature might be worth something!"  More likely the person knows more of my family than just me.  Those I sign "Brackett Family".

I felt I needed a verb.  I want people to do something with the book! I settled upon "Please enjoy!" I have also been dating things (thus far) as 11/2020 and calling them early Christmas presents.

The other volunteers at FOSL (Friends Of Suffolk Public Library) have seemed intrigued along with the usual "Oh no, yet another book to read!" The surgeon I visited yesterday seemed really happy to receive a little gift from a patient.  Maybe because it wasn't medical related? His nurse thought it was great. I regretted only lugging two books inside.

Later I stopped by a farm stand in a modern subdivision.  Apparently they are descended from the farmers and farms that used to occupy the area prior to the building booms and land grabs of the 1980s.  This was the first time I met the husband.  He was excited to receive the book.  "This is the time of year I'll get to actually sit down and read it!"  So far as I understand, they are not organic.  Maybe he will see something that changes his mindset about something! He also shared that there is a farm discussion group that meets to discuss problems and pests in our local area.

I have to pin down my husband to tell me what to write in the books going to his work.  As they are still "quarantined" out of their office, there is no rush.  At this point I will be lucky to get those books to those employees by the New Year.

So... Am I a lone weirdo?  (Opening myself up real big...) Any other ideas what I might write to hubby's coworkers?  "Read this!" just sounds harsh and bossy, but I bet he could blame that on me being excited about a book that offers actual solutions to some of our modern problems.

I'm an autograph collector,  been collecting for > 30 years.

This is me talking:  I would want a book, signed by the *author*, that's it.

Gary Numan wrote:I'm an autograph collector,  been collecting for > 30 years.

This is me talking:  I would want a book, signed by the *author*, that's it.

Yep.

Janie, you are generously giving the book so that the message can be enjoyed by many.

Over the years I have been given books, usually by a relative who has included something similar to what you are suggesting.  Later on, if I happen to pick up the book, I will see their thoughtful comments.

I like every suggestion you have offered. Please continue to include your autograph and your thoughtful comments.  

Books signed by the author are collectibles while books signed by family and friends are cherished.

At the risk of looking dumber than usual.....

What is a BWB?

(Bong With Bud?, Big White Boy?, Basketball Without Borders?)

I wold like to know what "BWB" means.  "By the Way Books?"  I'm out of guesses after that ...  Thanks.

The “Building a Better World Book” that was offered for sale back in September for its second printing. Sorry. I guess everyone isn’t on the same page. Can a moderator slap a linky to buy the book on my first post? I could try and guess but I would probably choose a dead link.

Here is the link for the book:

https://permies.com/w/better-world

Another link of interest:

https://permies.com/wiki/109844/Bricks-Build-World-Paul-Wheaton

Thank you, Anne Miller!

I got so caught up in referring to “the book” as the Better World Book that I forgot the title and then assumed everyone knew what I meant. (I’ll try to do better next time I post.)

Everyone use shorts like BWB, BRK, PEP, ISO so it seems okay.  usually I can figure out what they stand for except ISO.  I have tried google, etc and still don't know what it means.

Maybe saying something like "I loved this book and immediately thought of you." or "Thank you for always being such a thoughtful and caring friend"

I still have not been able to answer your question about what to say on the books to your husband's coworkers.

Great question, Janie!

As an avid reader, who often gets used books from random places, I've seen many personalizations in books that weren't kept. So when I give one, I tend to write a note on a card or sticky and tuck it in the book so it can be clean if the recipient wants to pass it on.

However, my best friend really treasures the personal notes written in books so I do write in hers and others when I know they feel the same.

So, I haven't written notes in most of the BWB copies I've given away. But I think the way you're doing it is perfect and it's great how you've shared them!

I can understand wanting to keep a book pristine for the future, and I can also see the other side as well. Sometimes the little notes, names, etc. make things more interesting. I sometimes see books, postcards, pictures from even over a hundred years ago, and those writings scrawled in them make it more alive to me. That book now doesn't just consist of a stack of paper from a printing press, it represents a life--no, two lives. Someone, possibly long gone, took the time to write that. Someone cared about someone else. I may have no idea who it was, or what they meant, but it does remind me of how small yet infinite this world and humanity is.

For the book in question, maybe some inspirational permie related message. Maybe a quote from the forums here... this could start a fun, new tradition!

Anne Miller wrote:except ISO.  I have tried google, etc and still don't know what it means.

In search of

Jordan Holland said "For the book in question, maybe some inspirational permie related message. Maybe a quote from the forums here... this could start a fun, new tradition!"

I really like this suggestion so I found a thread all about "Paul Quotes":

https://permies.com/t/16151/paul-quotes

Maybe one of these will jump out as appropriate!

Or some of these!😂 https://permies.com/forums/posts/preList/143937/1126515

Here's a crazy idea: Paul/Permies stickers! We could re-live our youth and decorate the book or anything else with all kinds of crazy stickers!