More Than a Bookmark: When The Little Things Become Our Reading Companions

I have over 1250 books in my house. And until recently, not a single bookmark. 

Well, I do have several things that mark a page in my books: receipts, dry leaves, a piece of string, a ribbon, or cheap paper bookmarks advertising something that shops send me for free when I order books. 

In the literal sense, I do have bookmarks. In the emotional sense I didn’t. And I will be honest, I never thought about it emotionally. 

But one day, my 15 yo son pointed out: “So, you make all kinds of stuff and you don’t have a proper bookmark for yourself.”

“So what?”

“What serious reader has so many books and not a serious bookmark?”

“Define serious.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know, something that you’ll keep from book to book?”

“Huh.”

I thought about it. He had a point. 

The Bookmark As a Reading Companion

A bookmark is a strange object. Unlike most accessories, it spends most of its time hidden.

Nobody sees it when the book is closed on the shelf. No one will say “hey, that’s a cool bookmark”, while you’re reading. There’s no particular occasion or reason where you show it off to someone, it doesn’t get to impress anyone. It’s just there for you. 

You open your book, and there it is. You finish reading, tuck it between the pages, let it wait for you. And if you are anything like me, reading several books simultaneously –  one “currently reading” on my bedside table, one on the sofa, one in the kitchen and so on – you have several bookmarks that probably remain inside the books once you finish them. 

And that’s it.

“From book to book”, my son had said. I wondered how it would be having a bookmark so special that I would take it with me from “currently reading” to “currently reading” books?

A real reading companion. 

So I made one. 

This was the beginning of my Leather Bookmarks Collection. 

And to my surprise, I loved this very first bookmark so much, that despite initially making it as a sample and inspired by my son’s words, I kept it for myself. And it follows me from book to book. 

I make samples for all my products. They're part of the process, something I need to photograph, present, and keep as a reference. All of them sit in boxes. But this one was different. I didn't put it in the box with the others. Somehow, it had already found its place. 

There’s a Difference Between Useful and Meaningful

My free paper bookmarks or receipt-bookmarks did their job. They marked pages. They were useful. I still use them. But there’s a difference between using something and having a personal connection with it. We are all surrounded by practical objects, most of them replaceable. We use them, put them away, lose them, don’t care, buy another. 

Sometimes, though, an ordinary object becomes connected to something much more important.

It might become connected to a memory, a part of our identity, or a feeling we want to hold on to.

And then, the practical function of the object becomes secondary. 

So a bookmark can be much more than something that tells you where you stopped reading. It can say something about the person who reads. It can carry a special message from someone who loves you, or you can simply customize it the way you want, to keep it for yourself. 

That’s another lovely point: not every meaningful bookmark needs to be a gift. 

We often position handmade items as gifts for someone else. But my birth flower bookmark showed me that we can – and should – make meaningful things for ourselves, too. 

The Personal Symbolism is the Important Part

My bookmark reads “I’m Kate and I’m a bookaholic”. 

And I love it. 

In the backside, it looks like this: 

So it doesn’t always have to be a grand philosophical message. It doesn’t always have to carry a profound quotation. It can simply be something that says “This is me. And I’m here.” 

That’s enough. 

Here are some of my favorite bookmark designs, taking them one step further:

The Axe: A Tribute to Hard Work

Some people build things with their hands. Others spend their days fixing, creating, repairing, or working hard to provide for the people they love. Their work deserves recognition, too.

The gold axe charm is paired with a verse from Psalm 128:2:

"You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you."

The gold axe bookmark is a meaningful reading companion to fathers, husbands, craftsmen, woodworkers, builders, and hardworking men. A thoughtful way to say that their effort matters, that what they do is appreciated, and that the hands that work so hard deserve a little recognition.

A lovely gift for Father's Day, a birthday, or simply to remind someone how much you appreciate all that he does.

The engraving can also be personalized with your own verse or message.

The White Lily: A Reminder of How Special Someone Is

The white lily bookmark makes a lovely gift for a daughter, wife, mother, sister, or anyone who deserves a little reminder of how special they are.

The white lily charm accompanies a passage from Song of Solomon 2:2:

"Like a lily among thorns, so is my darling among the young women."

A beautiful sentiment about someone who stands apart, someone cherished for exactly who they are.

You can keep the sample verse or replace it with your own favorite passage or personal message.

For this one, I chose tan Vachetta leather for its soft look, and paired it with a peach fabric ribbon. 

The Maple Leaf: A Reminder to Keep Growing

A beautiful image of resilience, strength, and the ability to keep growing through life's changing seasons.

The maple leaf charm is paired with a passage from Jeremiah 17:8.

This maple leaf bookmark makes a thoughtful gift for anyone facing a new chapter, overcoming a challenge, or simply needing a little encouragement. Its message is universal, making it just as suitable for a friend, a family member, or yourself.

The sample features the full Bible verse, but you can choose any meaningful words or personal message.

The Cross: A Reminder of Faith

For those who find comfort, strength, or inspiration in their faith, a cross can be a meaningful symbol to keep close. 

I made two bookmarks that feature a cross, with different looks and purposes.

The large cross bookmark features the pendant hanging from a taupe suede cord, remaining visible outside the book. The cross is taking center stage and you can choose between a gold or silver pendant.

The small cross bookmark  is made of dark brown Crazy Horse leather, with the small cross charm hand-stitched directly onto the leather. Its darker tones and understated construction give it a more rugged, masculine character.

Both can be personalized with a favorite Bible verse, a meaningful passage, or a personal message engraved on both sides, while you can also choose a gold or a silver cross charm.

A thoughtful gift for someone who finds strength in faith, whether for a birthday, a religious milestone, or simply as a personal reminder to carry through everyday life.

Yin and Yang: Two Bookmarks, One Connection

Some connections deserve to be celebrated by two people.

This matching bookmarks set features a white Yang charm and a black Yin charm, positioned so that the two symbols visually complete each other when the bookmarks are placed side by side.

The engravings follow the same idea. One reads:

*"I will guide your steps..."*

The other continues:

*"...and I will carry your heart."*

With their opposite reading directions, the two messages create a continuous flow, like a circle without a beginning or an end.

Both bookmarks can be personalized with the same initials and anniversary date, making this a particularly meaningful gift for couples. It's also a lovely way to celebrate siblings, best friends, or two people who share a special bond.

A thoughtful wedding or anniversary present, and especially fitting for a third wedding anniversary, traditionally associated with leather.

Two people, two individual bookmarks, one shared story. 

The Simple Engraved Bookmarks: When Words Are Enough

Sometimes the words themselves are the whole story. These simple leather bookmarks put the engraving at the center. A name, a date, a favorite quotation, a few meaningful words, or a personal message — whatever you'd like to keep close while you read.

Quieter designs, but no less personal. 

This custom bible verse bookmark comes with a rich guide of bible verse suggestions for him and her for your inspiration. You can always customize it with the text you want on both sides, always for free. 

A Little Something to Keep Between the Pages

I started making these bookmarks because my son thought I needed one. I didn't expect that the first sample would become something I would actually carry from book to book, but here we are.

And perhaps that's what I love most about this little collection. A bookmark doesn't need to be seen by anyone else. It doesn't need to impress anyone. It simply needs to feel like yours.

It can remind you of someone you love, celebrate a part of who you are, hold a message you don't want to forget, or just make your reading time a little more personal.

If you'd like a bookmark of your own, or one for someone who loves getting lost in books, you can explore my Leather Bookmarks Collection here. Each one is handmade from leather and can be personalized with your own words.

Maybe it will become the one that follows you from book to book, too 🙂