The chaotic evil 'Don't have a bookmark?' meme is out of control
When I need to mark my place in a book I never use an actual bookmark.
I usually reach for a Post-it Note, an old receipt, or a train ticket to wedge in between the pages, but as a new literary-themed meme highlights, some place-holding methods are far more extreme.
In an absurdly unhinged brand tweet on Monday, Chex Mix trolled followers by writing, "Don't have a bookmark? Try using Chex Mix instead." The tweet also included two appalling photographs of a bunch of rye chips, breadsticks, pretzels, and crackers acting as a bookmark — a sight that could give any sensible book-lover heart palpitations.
Don't have a bookmark? Try using Chex Mix instead pic.twitter.com/MqcNedloE1
— Chex Mix (@ChexMix) September 9, 2019
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The intentionally ridiculous shitpost from Chex Mix soon got the attention of another brand, Vitamin Water, and it wasn't long before exactly what you think would happen happened. An absolute sin.
don't have a bookmark? try using vitaminwater instead. pic.twitter.com/ZqJnU8SJSY
— vitaminwater® (@vitaminwater) September 10, 2019
Other Twitter users and brands soon began offering their suggestions for hilarious impromptu bookmarks — from pets and food to arms and utensils.
Don’t have a bookmark? Try using Gushers instead pic.twitter.com/mZoyO6wRR4
— Gushers (@gushers) September 12, 2019
don’t have a bookmark? try using a frozen beef sheet instead pic.twitter.com/OmAJ6Mtp5T
— Steak-umm (@steak_umm) September 12, 2019
lost your bookmark? use a chicken wing instead pic.twitter.com/GE0yo4A2fl
— Pluckers Wing Bar (@Pluckers) September 9, 2019
Don't have a bookmark? Try using Fred instead!!!! pic.twitter.com/zVpvYQlryN
— Laura E. Weymouth (@lauraeweymouth) September 11, 2019
Don’t have a bookmark ? Use spaghetti
— Confused owen 🦄 (@_2akm) September 11, 2019
Don’t have a bookmark? Just buy another book and start over https://t.co/WtYIJItiCG
— Red (@i_diggity) September 11, 2019
Can't find a bookmark? Use a goat instead!#BewareTheGoats 🐐 #CantFindABookmark pic.twitter.com/kHv8OGOUYO
— Sarah J. Sover (@SarahJSover) September 12, 2019
Don't have a bookmark? Try using a cat instead. pic.twitter.com/ZP8bvIQPLU
— Dragonfly Books (@dragonflybooks) September 12, 2019
Don't have a bookmark? Try using an ancient demonic curse to bind your book and haunt your enemies instead.
Are we doing it right, @ChexMix @vitaminwater pic.twitter.com/uUjNxSfq7Z— The Parliament House (@parliamentbooks) September 12, 2019
Don't have a bookmark? Don't you dare use food or water.
Use a limb and a belt! Duh. Now you'll never lose your place or your book. pic.twitter.com/6XgKtSduku— Tor.com (@tordotcom) September 12, 2019
Don't have a bookmark? Try this instead. pic.twitter.com/4IgjjKtPm9
— Shannon Doleski (@ShannonDoleski) September 12, 2019
The meme is funny to some, but many libraries, book stores, and publishing houses are publicly speaking out against the ruination of books and offering genuinely sensible alternatives.
Don’t have a bookmark? Try using your library card instead.
Don’t use @ChexMix.
Don’t use @vitaminwater.
Don’t be ridiculous.#LibraryCardSignUpMonth pic.twitter.com/C1JSRjOqcz— Jefferson County Public Library (@cojeffcolibrary) September 11, 2019
don't have a bookmark? use a receipt like a every other book nerd pic.twitter.com/DTNNg0i5Fl
— Tor Teen (@torteen) September 12, 2019
Don’t have a bookmark? Ask your local indie bookstore because they’ll probably give you one for free and don’t you dare mash food inside a precious book you idiots https://t.co/Qk3ZqfVS3g
— Raven Book Store (@ravenbookstore) September 11, 2019
A fork. pic.twitter.com/UYqp4NMuLO
— Strand Book Store (@strandbookstore) September 12, 2019
Another book. pic.twitter.com/OISzgrwjaU
— Strand Book Store (@strandbookstore) September 12, 2019
Phone cord. pic.twitter.com/xBU4Iw0kSU
— Strand Book Store (@strandbookstore) September 12, 2019
THIS PILLAR. pic.twitter.com/uGCvnKBF2f
— Strand Book Store (@strandbookstore) September 12, 2019
So you don’t have a bookmark?
Don’t do something that will literally ruin the book.
Don’t do something that will make a mess for someone else.
Don’t waste a book when you could give it away.
Please please please don’t jump onto this so you don’t have a bookmark meme bandwagon.— Teen Librarian Toolbox Karen Jensen (@TLT16) September 12, 2019
This new "don't have a bookmark?" meme just gives me anxiety. DON'T HARM BOOKS! What did they ever do to you?
— Kelly 💛 (@gAyCromwell) September 12, 2019
Hey, @ChexMix, how many innocent books were harmed in this production? 😉 https://t.co/G0WVQPTyM9
— Penguin Random House (@penguinrandom) September 11, 2019
For the love of literacy, do not harm anymore books for this meme.