Book Buying Addicts Anonymous discussion
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Do you prefer well worn books with creased spines or pristine like-new books?
I totally agree with you Kurt. I love using second hand bookstores and charity shops to get books, because i know that many people have read it before me and enjoyed it, and does show it is a good book. On the odd occasion i buy new books. But i do give the books that i have finished with to charity or do a book swap with the book stall at my local market. :)
Well, I love books in general, whether used or new ones! I just love the feel, look, smell of either old or a new book. Books are my friends, they are different individuals to me, and they always teach me something new, take me to new places, and introduce me to amazing characters and stories. some books are old and wise [Used :)] , and some are young and spirited [new:)]
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I LOVE used book stores, perhaps because I prefer books that have are old, but lightly worn, as though the previous owners cherished them.... Sometimes I even find a little bit of marginalia interesting, but what I find most delightful are handwritten messages at the front of the book - love messages in particular. Can't help but speculate about the personal lives of the prior owners of the books on my bookshelves....Ex Lit Prof
www.the-reading-list.com
However the book is when I get it, thats the way I want it to stay. I used to try and only buy used books that were in like new condition, but now if a book I want is beat up a little and the spine is creased a ton, then I know someone thought it was a good book. Plus I like finding books that have an old cover, because they're not printing that cover anymore! Strangely enough I prefer paperbacks. Not because hardbacks are larger but because they're harder to read! I always have to take the dusk jacket off and then I can't refer back to in when reading.
I think the love of old books is the reason I cannot get into the use of e-readers. Old books are like old friends and should be cherished. Most of my books are from used book stores or library sales and they show their age......but I find them irreplaceable.
Jill wrote: "I think the love of old books is the reason I cannot get into the use of e-readers. Old books are like old friends and should be cherished. Most of my books are from used book stores or library sal..."I couldn't agree with you more Jill!
Used books have always been my favorite. I wish that my whole bookshelf were used. But of course I will take a new book too. I always end up marking them up and wearing them out so they end up looking a lot older than they really are.
I prefer brand new books, but I mainly buy the used copies first. My biggest pet peeve is when a books bind is creased, pages are dog eared, and pages that are water worn. Lol, I can't stand it, but if I buy the book that way it doesn't bother me. Because I used to let my friends borrow my books and when I got them back they were often in the manner I just described above, so I only buy used copies first and then I buy the brand new books for myself and my collections.
Prefer well-worn books with creases as long as the pages are not torn. I don't like breaking in a new book. It feels like I'm hurting it.
I'm reading a library book and, I think rather shockingly, someone actually cut the top corners-like dog-earring them only permanently. I can't imagine how anyone thinks they have the right to cut a library book (I wouldn't do that even to a book I owned but a library book?!)
If I buy a book brand-new I find "breaking it in" really difficult; this is the only time I become quite obsessive about not creasing the spine or getting marks on the cover or any other kind of accidental damage.I prefer old second hand books since they are often already full of creases, scuffs and yellowing pages; I don't obsessively worry about its condition.
I suppose this is quite peculiar.
I really like both, but I think I honestly prefer new books. I don't mind spines that are creased, but what really bugs me about used books sometimes is the mysterious stains on them. And sometimes they smell really, really musty. And if it's too beat up and the spine is so creased it's likely to fall apart while reading, that's rather unpleasant. But with new books, I hate ruining the newness of them too by breaking the spine in. Yet, I also kind of like breaking it in myself. Makes no sense, eh?
Both have their pros and cons. But yeah...I'll take new if I can get it and afford it.
I prefer brand new books, there's nothing better than opening a new never been opened book. When i read new books, i dont like bending the spines, and become annoyed if someone does bend my spine. However, when new books are just too much money, i buy used and i do like it if the spine is bent then i dont mind bending the spine. I like the feel of the pages spreading out with a bent spine (if that makes sense)
I'm okay with a book in any condition, as long as its clean. I've bought used books and have found strange brown smudges inside, and once bought a book that had a dead moth inside of it. However, when it comes to text books, I prefer them to be brand new.
Sophie wrote: "If I buy a book brand-new I find "breaking it in" really difficult; this is the only time I become quite obsessive about not creasing the spine or getting marks on the cover or any other kind of ac..."I'm the same way. 'breaking it in' feels like I am hurting it.
I love it, Kylie-let me count the ways, lol.So wonderful. And I feel the same way.
Only I hate when the books have gone so yellow & brittle I'm afraid to turn the page.
When it comes down to it, I don't really mind either way. If it's a book I like, I'd read it from an old tattered version OR a brand new version. Also, I love books, and I love decorating my apartment with books, and for this purpose I use the older, worn somewhat antique or homey looking ones.BUT, if we're just talking about the books we read for pleasure and it's a matter of preference, not thriftiness etc. Then I have to admit, I like new books. There's something about the brand new pages of the book, looking so crisp and new that calls to me. I love the process of reading and slowing, breaking in the book. Making the pages look slightly read. I like knowing that my books are all mine, in all their glory and worn-ness! That everything about the book, from every smudge to every dog ear is ME.
My books tell a story. The story of when I first read them, and every time I read it or referenced it after that. Of how I felt when I read the book, and after and before. Of where I was when I read the book and what I thought about it. What I ate when I read it, where I took the book. all of that stuff I see in the pages, in the worn creases of the cover. It's a beautiful thing and I have had a life long love affair with books. Mine are special to me :) So it's somewhat important that they be entirely mine, mine alone. I don't mind lending them out... but I'll always need them back.
Oh Jen, I love your post. I found it so beautiful: and it's true, our books "tell a story."Thank you.
If I bought the book new I usually prefer it to stay as like-new for as long as possible, but if I've bought it used, I think its almost a given that it should have some sort of wear and tear. Besides if a used book doesn't look like it's been read, it probably hasn't and the store know it, so it's most likely going to be more expensive that the well worn (and well loved) edition right next to it.
I had ordered a few books from Amazon, and they came yesterday. One of them, a brand new hardcover, had a tear on the dust jacket on the back, and the flap on the front was bent in an odd way. That drove me crazy! I might sound silly, but it was a brand new book and I didn't appreciate it arriving already looking used. I order from Amazon a lot, and all of my books have always arrived in great shape, so this was a little disappointing.
The more I read about people preferring new books, the more I am absolute in my certainty of loving the old ones.
I think new books win (slightly), although I find a secondhand book quaint with it's creases and use. I don't want the book falling apart, but I have tons of used books and much read books that are creased at the spines and show reading use.
Kristin wrote: "I had ordered a few books from Amazon, and they came yesterday. One of them, a brand new hardcover, had a tear on the dust jacket on the back, and the flap on the front was bent in an odd way. That..."I've had this happen several times from Amazon.
I love them old, I love them new. Just as long as they can be read.
I adore new books! That way I can shape them the way I like. UNLESS, it's a "no choice" "too bad" situation. Then I'll end up having a used book.
I agree with Joseph -- particularly if I'm buying a book I've never read before, I like it to be new. However, if I'm meandering through a used bookstore and happen upon something that sounds interesting I'll likely snag it up as long as it's readable and there aren't any scribbles or anything like that in the pages. The only books I don't care for are ones where the covers are falling off or they've been written/highlighted in.
I prefer brand new books. I make sure there are no imperfections when I buy them. I rarely buy used books.
I prefer books that look like their in pristine condition; although, I feel like I don't have to be really careful with worn in books, and it makes me happy to see it has been read so many times. But, yes, when it is my own book, I prefer it looking new (except my copy of Twilight, I have read it so many times that I don't really care what it looks like, i just cherish the story inside). :)
I buy both new and used. I guess I prefer new because I like my books to be in good shape.
I prefer well-worn books [not the crumbling type though]. I usually visit book sales and buy books depending on the summary and the color and smell of the paper. However I also buy new books if there is a new author or a new series or a new release that I -really- want.
I usually buy new books. I'm not careful about keeping them looking "new" though, one day my kids will inherit my library, and they will be able to tell which books were my favorites :)
I enjoy the feel of a new book but find it easier to read a well-worn book. The well-worn books have a personality and feel like an old friend when I pick them up to read while the new books feel like a new baby who brings joy but must be trained and molded.
I frequent used book stores, but I like the covers to be in good shape. Mostly because books are the only thing I collect and my husband and I love the look of a full bookshelf. I'm getting to the point now in my book collecting that I can have different shelves for different genres. People are impressed when they see them, and I have a bit of a lending library going on.
Both. I buy used because they're affordable, but I love the look, smell, and feel of a new book.
A new book means nothing to me. However a 100 or 200 year old book with its pages still not cut or separated telling me that it has never been read does mean something to me. I like to read it slowly and cut pages as I go. When I find it is not listed on GOODREADS and so know nothing about it , then it is even more special. I had a used book store many years ago still find surprises when opening old boxes of stored books.
Back in the old days, book pages were not cut apart when bound and had to be cut when read so the pages could be turned.I've never had one uncut and would love to have just one.
To think I was annoyed when I found my first uncut book. I have a set of works by Balzac with most uncut. I am ashamed to admit that years ago when I found such a book , I would tear the page with my finger, doing a very poor job of it. I just wanted to get on with the reading. Older now and wiser or at least more patient so use a letter opener.
I wonder what an uncut Lotr or Jules Verne, or any of the other masters would cost??
I wonder if the uncut books are of better quality. I have an 1940's hardbound book that the cover is much better than what is out today.
John wrote: "To think I was annoyed when I found my first uncut book. I have a set of works by Balzac with most uncut. I am ashamed to admit that years ago when I found such a book , I would tear the page..."Yikes, I did the same with my great-grandfather's set of American history books! (I have wondered why I had to in the first place--had he never even opened them?)
Tammy wrote: "I wonder if the uncut books are of better quality. I have an 1940's hardbound book that the cover is much better than what is out today."As far as the paper goes, it is very brittle and fragile which could be due to age of course. All the uncut books I have are much older than 1940. The covers of the books from the 1800s are much nicer than you find today but it could be that the ones I have from then are still around because of the better quality??? lesser ones would have deteriated by now?? Those still in good shape have leather or cloth type covers which I must oil each year . they are beautiful, TO ME
I prefer to keep books like new if at all possible, but there's only so much you can do! I just love love love absolutely all books.
I love both, but I like to think used books have their own story to tell, their own history. It's almost like antiquing.
I don't mind buying old books, as long as they are still in fairly good condition. But I will only purchase them if they are considerably cheaper than the new copies. This is rare in Australia these days. Used book stores tend to charge as much as department stores or book shops! It's absolutely ridiculous!
For example, I can get better bargains on the bargains table at my local QBD book shop than I can at a used book store.
I love wandering around second-hand bookstores & other places that have older books looking for my next great find. The only way I buy new books is if someone gives me a gift card. The mystique of the older book is what I love.
I used to not like used bookstores so much, because I just felt that I needed to be the first owner of a book, but now I love nothing more than to go to a used bookstore and browse the selections of what others have read. The way I look at it, if the book on the used bookstore shelf is well worn, that tells me the previous owner enjoyed it, and chances are I will too!!!