Reading & keeping books in good shape

[bigkingfan91]

How do you all go about reading & keeping your books in as good of shape as possible? I collect both hardbacks and paperbacks, but I prefer reading paperbacks when I can. My collecting has gotten a bit obsessive so I have multiple copies of most books.. I usually try and read the worst copy of a book that I have, in order to avoid these worries lol. Sometimes it doesn't work out like that though.

For a long time I would never open a book up very far to read, unless I had to or unless it was already a goner. Sometimes, especially with paperbacks, this cannot be avoided because the first words on every line are printed so far in, you have to open it wide in order to see them. Eventually being this obsessive combined with not having as much light as I thought I had began to mess with my eyes, so I had to realize I was hurting my eyes by trying to save every spine I possibly could lol. I just switched from reading my new paperback of Lisey's Story to an extra hardback I have that's in rough shape because of this.

Obviously this isn't a big deal. You can always just buy another or buy a cheap worn out reading copy if it's that big of a deal to you. I have read before about people who have been like me and didn't like to open their books up all the way and crack the spine if they could help it. I never read any complaints about eye trouble so I always thought it was ok as long as I could see good enough. I guess sometimes what you think of as good enough isn't good enough. I've improved my lighting as well so that has helped and I haven't had any more trouble so far.

I hope that doesn't sound ridiculous, and I hope I don't sound like Annie Wilkes LOL. I just have to learn to not be so obsessive I guess, and slowly transform into one of those who believe a well read, worn book, is the best kind of book, lol.

 

[mal]

I've never been a book collector although I have many, many books. I take no special care of them and am happy to give them away if someone wants to read them. I once cut a hardcover of 'IT' in several pieces so I could read it more comfortably in bed. I then duct-taped it back together and eventually gave it away to someone else who enjoyed it (who knows where it ended up). While I think certain things should be saved and carried forward for posterity my own personal book collection is not part of that. A book should have battle scars (coffee stains, ash, food stuffs but hopefully not the occasional booger or questionable hair).

 

[not_nadine]

There was another thread on this subject with lots of activity. I can't find it right now.

 

[skimom2]

I don't purposely ruin books with food, drink, rough handling, or moisture, but I do love reading them. If my favorites show normal wear, I couldn't care less. I don't have space in my house (or life) for things that are just 'for special' (to quote Odetta Walker). I use the things I love and love the things I use

 

[Haunted]

I've never been a book collector although I have many, many books. I take no special care of them and am happy to give them away if someone wants to read them. I once cut a hardcover of 'IT' in several pieces so I could read it more comfortably in bed. I then duct-taped it back together and eventually gave it away to someone else who enjoyed it (who knows where it ended up). While I think certain things should be saved and carried forward for posterity my own personal book collection is not part of that. A book should have battle scars (coffee stains, ash, food stuffs but hopefully not the occasional booger or questionable hair).

 

[Haunted]

Before I start to read a new book, I take off the cover and put it someplace safe, replacing it only when I have finished.

 

[Spideyman]

Before I start to read a new book, I take off the cover and put it someplace safe, replacing it only when I have finished.

I do the same. I take the dust cover off, and replace it with a stretchy cloth book cover.
I do own a paperback of The Stand that has more tape than pages!

 

[bigkingfan91]

Thank you not_nadine, I missed that thread completely. I do the same with new hardbacks. I usually buy 2, one to read and one to never open. I just bought 3 mass market pbs of 11/22/63. Don't ask me why. I saw them in K Mart and couldn't help it lol. I usually buy 2 of everything new though mainly if its King. Both HB, mass market and trade pb. I remember getting my copy of BOBD and it was so tight it was like prying it open. I didn't feel complete at all until I got my 2nd copy. Needless to say it hasn't been opened lol.

 

[HollyGolightly]

My books look a little like all my things - well loved, comfortable - probably not much for resale value, just enough to be a PITA for whoever has to sort through them and get rid of them when I'm gone. I need to leave them to someone on here who would appreciate them.

 

[kingricefan]

If it's a hardback, the first thing I do is put the dustjacket in a Brodart cover. While reading I try not to open the book too far so as not to 'break' the spine. I try not to crease the spine if it's a paperback.

 

[king family fan]

I try to draw it out from the library and keep mine in good shape.

 

[staropeace]

I am a book thug....me poor books deserve better!!!!!!!

 

[Blake]

You know those books from the 1950's like Ace books, when you buy one of those over the internet, the glue is so old that if you bend it to much it just cracks. I bought a book recently by Frank Gruber, and I got it home and the spine cracked down the middle. By the Eternal, I was very angry. I was apt to throw the book out.

 

[The Nameless]

I've never been a book collector although I have many, many books. I take no special care of them and am happy to give them away if someone wants to read them. I once cut a hardcover of 'IT' in several pieces so I could read it more comfortably in bed. I then duct-taped it back together and eventually gave it away to someone else who enjoyed it (who knows where it ended up). While I think certain things should be saved and carried forward for posterity my own personal book collection is not part of that. A book should have battle scars (coffee stains, ash, food stuffs but hopefully not the occasional booger or questionable hair).

That's awesome, cutting a book up to read it easier.

I agree that they should end up worn and scuffed. There is a celebrity chef in the UK who claims to read in the sauna to age them.

Personally, the only steps I take to look after books as I'm reading them is to take the dust jacket off hardbacks, when they tear they have a tendency to fold and that annoys me a bit. Paperbacks, I don't care, the spine will crease whatever you do, I actually prefer the looseness that a creased spine gives a paperback.

 

[Kurben]

I try to read my paperback so that the spine isn't cracked or any pages fall out. If that happen i often buy a new one. Have had to buy a new IT because of that. The new one did not have as beautiful cover pic....... Also bought a new Watership Down. But I dont mind that the books look a little bit worn. It only show that you love them. Hardback i read with the dustcover on i must admit. Often, if possible, use it to mark where i am.

 

[carrie's younger brother]

A good book should be read cover to cover with abandon. Once you start worrying about wrinkling the pages, breaking the spine, messing up the dust jacket, etc., you are no longer reading for pleasure. Buy 2 books instead: enjoy one and place the other in a hermetically sealed bag.
That's just my opinion.

 

[danie]

A good book should be read cover to cover with abandon. Once you start worrying about wrinkling the pages, breaking the spine, messing up the dust jacket, etc., you are no longer reading for pleasure. Buy 2 books instead: enjoy one and place the other in a hermetically sealed bag.
That's just my opinion.

Someday we just have to meet up. We would get along so well.

 

[Out of Order]

My books are on a strict diet and exercise program to keep them in shape.

 

[Arcadevere]

my mandatory work before i read is i get my plastic cover and cover the book covers paperback or Hardbound or other style of cover, i regretted it when i forgot to cover the hardbound of Finders Keepers and Great Empires from NATGEO (yes, including the jacket, don't ask me how i did it, i may be find it extremely difficult to explain since English is not my native language) and i accidentally sprinkled a watercolor on the back jacket portion. My Doctor Sleep, Shining, It, Mr. Mercedes and almost all of my Neil Gaiman books has a marks of watercolor and hot chocolate on it, and also the ridiculously cheese powder from a french fries that i cooked.

when it comes to books, my philosophy is "the only one that will ruin my book is me and only me" i never allow anyone who borrow my books to ruin the pages or write anything on it, but i found myself making tons of footnotes about "what this word means" (since what i said, English is not my native language). like this page from my Mr. Mercedes Hardbound (actually, ALL OF MY BOOKS are suffering from this footnote phenomena)

 

[carrie's younger brother]

Someday we just have to meet up. We would get along so well.

I agree!