Happy Tuesday, reader friends! It’s time again to link up with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesdays! The topic this week is: “Favorite Bookmarks!” I am an avid bookmark fan but there’s no way I could choose just ten so I’m diving deeper into the books themselves with book extras! Here are the top ten features beyond the story that makes a book extra special for me!
book extras: top ten features beyond the story
letters
This should come as no surprise since I love to read and reading a letter within a book is basically reading squared! Carry Me Home by Dorothy Adamek
texting or emails
This form of written communication is more relateable but harder to get right (although I can do without the “C U L8R” throwbacks). Sweet On You by Becky Wade
journals
Journals are filled with secrets and the writer’s innermost thoughts, what’s not to love?! Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel
author’s note
Historical fiction is packed with all kinds of factual tidbits and I love it when authors take the time to point out exactly how much of the stories are true! Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews and A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz
chapter graphics
Not only do these graphics make it easier to find your place when the pages slip through your fingers but it’s like a little party every time you reach a new chapter! The Road to Paradise and Where the Fire Falls and Ever Faithful by Karen Barnett
scene dividers
Indeed, I appreciate a little visual separation between scenes and the clever or cute ones are my favorites! The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and Wooing Cadie McCaffrey by Bethany Turner
definitions or pronunciations
Mispronunciation is a common problem among avid readers but sometimes authors help us out when a foreign language or regional dialect is used widely within the book. The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep
covers & spines
Obviously, I love all the covers but spines also get a lot of attention!
construction
From paper quality, size, margins, and fonts, the way a book looks and feels in my hands and on my shelves matters! Lulu’s Cafe by T.I. Lowe & Peace in the Valley by Ruth Logan Herne
maps
A great tool for fantasy or historical genres or even contemporary fictional towns, a map can help readers stay oriented with their literary surroundings. A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette and Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti CallahanĀ
Share some of your favorite book extras!Ā
Faithfully Bookish 
Great List!! Construction reminds me of how much I loved the feel of the cover of The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey.
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That is a great list. I like those quotes that Joanna Politano puts at the beginning of each chapter such as Diary of a Substitute Countess in Finding Lady Enderly. Or names at the beginning of chapters when it is a dual time book such as Jaime Jo Wright. I love those little scrolly things between scenes and maps, family trees and author notes!
Thanks for a great post.
I appreciate matching bookmarks, too! Yay book swag!
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Oh fun! I sometimes forget about these things.
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I agree with Paula. The epigraphs at the first of each chapter that give a subtle hint about what’s happening are fun. I also like maps in books and matching bookmarks for the book..
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