Reading & keeping books in good shape

[muskrat]

For old, falling apart paperbacks I often strengthen the spine and covers with good old transparent packing tape. Works great, and is cheap. I wouldn't suggest using this method on anything valuable, mind ye, just those beloved old PBs you don't wanna throw away.

 

[Arcadevere]

For old, falling apart paperbacks I often strengthen the spine and covers with good old transparent packing tape. Works great, and is cheap. I wouldn't suggest using this method on anything valuable, mind ye, just those beloved old PBs you don't wanna throw away.

i actually do that thing to my worn-out PB (but the tape that i'm using was a transparent tape that was very thin so it wouldn't pop out in my PB's, we call it the "magic tape") the worn-out spines of PB is my greatest enemy in my book realm

Spoiler: SHARE

additional to my bad habits was i usually wrote something behind the book, math formulas, lesson, fastfood orders, book prices, etc. (that came when i'm in hurry)
(the left one is from 11/22/63 and the right one is from Fragile Things)

 

[Ted Brautigan]

I'm a bit obsessive too. But mostly with SK and Joe Hill books. Like I have 4 copies of The Fireman (one is an advanced reader's copy, one is from Joe's local indie bookstore, and 2 are from his book signing - I got one copy personalized and the other my grandma just read then gave it back) and they are all signed. Seriously considering buying a 5th copy as my reader copy.

Back to the main question, I don't care how badly paperbacks get. But hardcover I do care. I take the dust cover off until I'm done with the book. I don't crack the spine all the way open until it's built that way. For example, the Fireman is designed to be fully opened without damaging the spine. I wash my hands if I had just finished eating finger food. Too many times have I gotten Cheetos dust over my books. Once I'm done with the book I put the cover back on and either lay it down somewhere but never with other books on top. (Laying books on top F'ed up my first edition copy of The Waste Lands).

 

[muskrat]

Most of you probably know this already, but never store paperbacks where they might freeze. All that thawing and freezing swells and loosens the spines, and next thing you know all yer damn pages start popping out.

Lil tip from Dr. Musk.

 

[chief4db]

I read the pb when possible and the hc goes right on the shelf.

If I am reading the hc I take off the dust jacket bc most of the value goes to condition of the dust jacket.

Books that are worth 30ish plus I usually get a mylar cover f9r

 

[OKKingFan]

All of my King books are paperback. I try to take good care of them as I'm reading them so they don't split on the spine or get worn too much.
Once read, they are stored so they maintain their condition fairly well.
I have noticed some of his recent novels seem to be bound differently or something, because they don't seem to crease on the spine as easily.
I just finished 11/22/63 in paperback, and it was that way.
The spine seemed almost flexible.
My paperback looks almost unused, even after reading the entire book, save for some newsprint on the pages.
Whatever they're doing different, if they are, I like it.