Coffee & Books discussion

Well, do you? Do you break the spine of your book- or is it left in pristine condition.

For me, books are roughed up. I fold the corners, I break the spine in (OH YES), and i leave my coffee mug on top of them, so more often than not its a mix of old paper and coffee- and I am SO okay with that :)

I definitely break the spine and fold the corners too! I don't mind leaving a book "destroyed" after reading it through, but strangely I really want a book in pristine condition before I start reading. Odd but true.

Oh my:) I don't break the spine or fold the corners, and after reading a book it's in the same condition as it was when I bought it (got it). :)

My books are usually in pristine condition.

I don't mind what people do to their own books but I do mind how they treat mine when I lend them.

I worked on the evening shift from 4 PM to midnight. One day I came in to work after shopping at a bookstore. A colleague working on the day shift wanted to see what I bought and went crazy over a biography. She begged me to lend it to her, saying she would read it very quicly.

I was always taken aback by people who can say aloud whatever they think and I never know what to answer. I just purchased the book and so, I felt I had first right on it, but I just couldn't bring myself to say so. So I lent her my brand new book which I had not really opened yet and she left with it.

I had to ask I don't know how many times for my book, and when she finally brought it back to me, it was all stained with coffee spots and there were food scraps inside. Page corners were turned and of course the spine was cracked in many places, but it was also broken with some pages unglued.

I was so mad I didn't say a word, afraid of what was going to come out of my mouth.

I think she never understood why I didn't talk to her after that (beyond what was necessary for work). I guess to her, all this was normal. To me, it felt like she was plain rude.

Margot wrote: "My books are usually in pristine condition.

I don't mind what people do to their own books but I do mind how they treat mine when I lend them.

I worked on the evening shift from 4 PM to midnight...."

I am surprised you didn't hit her over the head with said book!

Part of the problem was it all happened at the workplace where I had a position of authority and this was a personal matter.

The other part of the "problem" is the way i was raised: to shut your mouth and just learn from it!

I learned all right!

Lina wrote: "I definitely break the spine and fold the corners too! I don't mind leaving a book "destroyed" after reading it through, but strangely I really want a book in pristine condition before I start read..."

I SO AGREE! Hahahaha! I want to mess up the book, not someone else!

Margot wrote: "My books are usually in pristine condition.

I don't mind what people do to their own books but I do mind how they treat mine when I lend them.

I worked on the evening shift from 4 PM to midnight...."

Well that is rathe unfortunate. I would be so upset too! That is so not even nice!

Margot wrote: "My books are usually in pristine condition.

I don't mind what people do to their own books but I do mind how they treat mine when I lend them.

I worked on the evening shift from 4 PM to midnight...."

Oh my word, that is nearly my life story, except it wasn't a new book just my favorite book, and she needed it for a class. But never got an apology. Nope.

If the book is second hand, I like the cracks and everything, I like to see that it has a story. But if buy it brand new I am super careful and I want to be in perfect condition! Also I NEVER write, underline or highlight anything! Whether it be new or used book, I never do it!

I normally don't write in them, but I've started getting used books for classes just to be savvy. Once, I actually got an annotated book that was certainly not in "like new" condition, but it was annotated for the very class (same professor and everything) I was taking. That was actually nice.

Marci wrote: "I normally don't write in them, but I've started getting used books for classes just to be savvy. Once, I actually got an annotated book that was certainly not in "like new" condition, but it was ..."

Did you feel like Harry Potter when he got professor Snape's book? :)

I am definitely a writer when it comes to school novels (since I am a lit major- majority are novels) but when it comes to my regular outside reading, I don't normally write or highlight. I have a designated notebook for my favorite quotes :)

Margot wrote: "Marci wrote: "I normally don't write in them, but I've started getting used books for classes just to be savvy. Once, I actually got an annotated book that was certainly not in "like new" conditio..."

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Margot wrote: "My books are usually in pristine condition.

I don't mind what people do to their own books but I do mind how they treat mine when I lend them.

I worked on the evening shift from 4 PM to midnight...."

I would have been so mad! This is exactly why I don't borrow books from other people - I'll just buy my own and do what I want with it without upsetting someone else. And... if you buy the book, you definitely should have first dibs - it's so rude that they even asked that!

I buy only hardcover first editions and they stay PRISTINE. But the books I read I get from the library. I still take VERY good care of them. No dog-eared pages (at least not by me), no cracked spines.

And, Margot ... I would have fired her. Okay, that's extreme. But I had a similar story many years ago, when my boyfriend borrowed Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors from me ... hardcover (but I had read it). I never got it back. He took it on vacation and lost it.

I also never lent a book to anyone again. Sorry, my books don't leave my bookshelf.

Book Concierge wrote: "I buy only hardcover first editions and they stay PRISTINE. But the books I read I get from the library. I still take VERY good care of them. No dog-eared pages (at least not by me), no cracked s..."

You would have fired her?????? OMG! Hahaha!

That's better than me. I would have got fired for hitting her over the head with the book :)

Phrynne wrote: "That's better than me. I would have got fired for hitting her over the head with the book :)"

LOL :) At least that story is making me laugh now with all your comments! :)

I do not break the spine. I try and keep my books looking brand new.

And I HATE it when I lend a book out and it comes back worn!

Tammy wrote: "And I HATE it when I lend a book out and it comes back worn!"

I hear you... ;-)

I like my books in mint condition.

@Tammy: I agree..I hate lending out a book and having it come back worn. I've had it happen once, so now I'm careful who I lend it to. I also specify that I want it back in the exact same condition, or they owe me a brand new one. LOL.

Rachel Skye wrote: "I am definitely a writer when it comes to school novels (since I am a lit major- majority are novels) but when it comes to my regular outside reading, I don't normally write or highlight. I have a..."

I do a lot of writing, too, and like the idea of having a notebook for quotes. I don't write down a lot of quotes, but when I see something worded exceptionally well I write it down on a post-it. I may need to start putting them in a notebook- with categories perhaps.

Phil wrote: "Rachel Skye wrote: "I am definitely a writer when it comes to school novels (since I am a lit major- majority are novels) but when it comes to my regular outside reading, I don't normally write or ..."

Agreed! Categories would be such a good idea. I end up flipping through notebooks trying to find the one quote I want to! Good idea!

All my books looks rough (except ebooks (kindle)... But when I borrow I try to be careful

Phil wrote: "Rachel Skye wrote: "I am definitely a writer when it comes to school novels (since I am a lit major- majority are novels) but when it comes to my regular outside reading, I don't normally write or ..."

I keep notebooks on the hardcover books I really love, with a section for plot and one for quotes. I'm SUCH a retired teacher--but I do love going back to my own notes :-)

If I truly love a book, I'll get a hardcover AND a paperback, where I can highlight and write in the margins all I like! :-)

I will never fold the corners of my book! Will always use a bookmark (my good old bookmark that has been with me since forever) and I will try not break the spine, though it is often quite hard not to. Then when I am done with the book, I will keep it back in the shelves and one day, many years later when I take it out again and see the yellowish corners on the pages, I know that my books have aged beautifully. Haha!

I fold the corners spill tea, drop it in water and crack the spine on almost all my books. For me it means that it has been read many times and I don't have to be careful with it.

If buy a book brand new, i will try be careful with it, but if it came from a second hand shop, no i will not care as much about it, i love to see books loved and read, but i hate when the book pages are falling out or the cover is in bad shape.

Julia wrote: "Phil wrote: "Rachel Skye wrote: "I am definitely a writer when it comes to school novels (since I am a lit major- majority are novels) but when it comes to my regular outside reading, I don't norma..."

You sound like my daughter with having to buy the paperback (because it's easier to read, she says) and the hardcover because it looks better on the shelf and comes out sooner. I do like the idea of having a section for plots and a section for quotes and then possibly a section for describing characters or settings. Thanks!

I'll definitely break the spine. I like to fold over paperbacks, so much more comfortable to hold. Plus, books on your shelf should look worn in. You dont want someone new coming over and thinking you only have books to look smart hahaha. On hardcover, I get rid of the bookjacket. I hate them. I'll only save it if its a really beautiful cover picture.

Allie wrote: "I'll definitely break the spine. I like to fold over paperbacks, so much more comfortable to hold. Plus, books on your shelf should look worn in. You dont want someone new coming over and thinking ..."


Yes! I agree! I think it looks tacky. I don't know if that is just me. PLUS when they get all ripped and torn it looks not so hot.

As far as the spine breakers here ( haha that sounds so evil)- Do you like to fold them all the way over so one page is showing?

I know I do! Especially the HUGE anthologies I have that are in paperback. I find it easier to fold over :)

I love the look of broken spines. My sister hates it, but I always tell her that I love the way it looks because then I know that they're being read and not just sitting on the shelf collecting dust. So yes, I break the spines and sometimes I just toss the book on my bed or night stand or I dog-ear the pages. :)

Allie wrote: "On hardcover, I get rid of the bookjacket. I hate them. I'll only save it if its a really beautiful cover picture.
"

Same! Did that to all of my Harry Potter books and sometimes I just really like the look of a coverless book. But yes, unless the cover is breath-taking, I will just take off the book jacket.

Tickyette wrote: "Allie wrote: "On hardcover, I get rid of the bookjacket. I hate them. I'll only save it if its a really beautiful cover picture.
"

Same! Did that to all of my Harry Potter books and sometimes I j..."

Debated this in another group.... they couldn't BELIEVE that I got rid of them. I was not popular lol.

As far as I'm concerned, the owner of a book can do whatever he (she) wants with said book. :)

However, I know that reselling value of a hardcover book is much higher if the original jacket is available and in good shape. Not that I think Harry Potter is going to be of a great value with the number of copies out there!

Personally, I don't own that many hardcover books, but I love the coloured jackets on my bookshelves. I usually take it away to read the book and put it back on when I put the book down.

Hmm never thought of selling.... too much hassle for me. I rarely reread a book so when I'm done, I'm done. I like to donate my books to my grandmothers nursing home. Patients there don't mind missing covers :)

I hoard all of my books and if I ever decide to give up some of my books, they will be donations. No worries of resell value for me. :)

Allie wrote: "Debated this in another group.... they couldn't BELIEVE that I got rid of them. I was not popular lol."

Ha! I get comments on it all the time whenever someone comes over and takes a look at my shelves. What does it matter? They always end up getting ripped or stained or lost anyway. Well, in my house they do.

I've got a two year old and I myself am extremely clumsy and forgetful. So I always say that we can never have nice things. lol!

Books should look read!!

I knew someone that had books as "props". I went over her house one time and was all excited to see some of my favorites sitting on her shelves so I started talking about them. She gave me a blank stare and said she only had them so guys would think she was smart. Wtf????!!!!!

If I could afford it (and if I had the space) I would buy 2 copies of every book and manga volume. One for show and one to be read :)

My dad bent the spine of one of my books and I actually gasped!! I replaced it too.

I hear you, Pepperpots--plus I volunteer for our library book sale, and we only sell books in good condition. So hopefully keep that in mind, everyone--donated books are the way we support our Summer Reading Program for children :-)

So my mom got me a couple of books that I've wanted for quite a while as a gift and i was so excited about reading them! My friend wanted a certain book so i lent it to her since shes a reader too and i thought she would take good care of it. The day after i lent her the book she was reading it infront of me with a couple of our friends. We were chatting about random things and then the friend (who shall not be named) was talking about how the book she borrowed from me was so floppy and the pages are thin and can easily be ripped. That her harry potter books would never be ripped if she even tried ripping them and as she said that she was acting it out on my book and actually ripped a page! I was so shocked i had my mouth open for about 15 mins. Also when she finished reading the book and returned it it had food stains on half the pages. I hate when i lend out books and they're returned in horrible conditions.

I love bookmarks so No to folding pages, but spine is a bit broken.

I don't normally try to break the spine but it happens anyway. I'm not very careful about it so it's bound to happen. If I borrow a book, I make sure to be super careful because I would flip if someone intentialy ruined one of my books. I definitely dog ear the pages.. I just don't have time for bookmarks haha :)

I have to confess I do break the spine. I use bookmarks.

It depends on the book. I try to keep all the books I own or borrow in pristine condition and page folding is definite no-no for me.