Bibliofile

Few writers, and fewer bibliophiles know where exactly an author is supposed to inscribe a book. The proper inscription etiquette, as prescribed by Anne Fadiman in her minor classic, Ex Libris, is the title page, which she states is traditionally reserved for the book's author. Most first-timers, including Manil Suri, fumble for the right page, but not Anita Nair. When given a copy of her Ladies Coupe for an autobiography, she turned unerringly to the title page, boldly striking out her printed name and countersigning it with her elegant Anita N/May 2001.