annotated copy

How does one make so many thoughtful notes in the margins, mark the key passages, underline so many sentences, and then let the book go, so that it may find its way into my hands.

all marked

The dream of a perfect commonplace book wherein each page might be marked or underlined as a place to return to.

underlined for naught

After so many years I turn to this page again without an inkling of what attracted me to underline a certain passage.