My uncle records all the books he reads. I admired this; such a list was proof of something. When I graduated college and the period of assigned reading had ended, I began recording what I read, too.
During the year, I write down what I read on a wall calendar. This year was Bernese Mountain Dogs.
After finishing the book, I record my name and the month and year I read it on the first page.
For bookmarks, I use tickets, race bibs, and business cards. I try to match the scrap paper with the book.
It’s nice when the bookmark goes with the color of the book:
The Middlesteins, January, 2013, Paine to Pain Half-Marathon race bib
Or when a narrative component of the book matches up nicely with the bookmark:
50 Shades of Grey, with the card of Office N. Huber of the Aurora Police Department, April, 2013.
The best is when both things happen:
The Centennial History of the Colorado Jews, with a train ticket from Grand Central to New Rochelle, my hometown, a place where Passover and spring break are the same week.