Glad I found this thread. Very interesting to see what others use.
I, myself cannot dog-ear books. There must be some strict librarian in my past that I can't get past!
But, I have to say that I love to curl up with a book and have some savory treats at the same time. So often those treats end up no the books. I agree that it give them character.
I love to see what others have on their bookshelves. I, too, abhor the fake books and the shelves lined with volumes of books that have never been read. I have a wonderful time when I discover books that have been poured over and marked up. It can be distracting but it also show the charater of the person that has read the book before me.