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This Week's Question
Do you read hardcovers with
the dust jacket on or off?
Why or why not?
(Submitted by Maria @
My Answer
This week's answer will definitely be a "short" one! Lol.
Those bloggers who already know that I want to keep my books in pristine condition, to the best of my ability, might already have guessed what I would prefer. Lol.
I do LOVE hardcovers, even though I realize that they're a bigger drain on the pocket than paperbacks (whether the trade or mass-market variety). Of course, paperbacks are much more comfortable to read, as hardcovers do tend to be heavier. Still, I enjoy the hardcovers. I have collected a LOT of them throughout the years, and they look SO pretty, sitting on my bookshelves! :)
Some collectible hardcovers -- like the Barnes & Noble leather-bound editions -- have no dust jackets, as the covers themselves are decorated. So these are not a problem at all. I am especially careful when handling them, too. Regular hardcovers, of course, do come with dust jackets.
So yes, I read hardcovers with the dust jacket off. Keeping it on while I'm reading means that the edges -- especially the bottom ones -- will inevitably start to get worn. That's especially the case if I'm reading the book with the lower edge of it resting against my chest. That's how I read if I'm in bed.
There's another reason, though; if I keep the dust jacket on, it slides around as I'm reading, and this just annoys me. I don't want to be distracted by such a silly little detail as I'm suspending my disbelief (in the case of fiction), or taking in an author's viewpoint (in the case of nonfiction).
So I prefer to take off the DJ before I plunge into a hardcover book. It's just more comfortable for me, and keeps my treasured book in great condition! Oh, and I laminate my dust jackets, too, whenever possible! :) As this can get pretty expensive, I only do this with my absolutely favorite hardcovers, though.
Those bloggers who already know that I want to keep my books in pristine condition, to the best of my ability, might already have guessed what I would prefer. Lol.
I do LOVE hardcovers, even though I realize that they're a bigger drain on the pocket than paperbacks (whether the trade or mass-market variety). Of course, paperbacks are much more comfortable to read, as hardcovers do tend to be heavier. Still, I enjoy the hardcovers. I have collected a LOT of them throughout the years, and they look SO pretty, sitting on my bookshelves! :)
Some collectible hardcovers -- like the Barnes & Noble leather-bound editions -- have no dust jackets, as the covers themselves are decorated. So these are not a problem at all. I am especially careful when handling them, too. Regular hardcovers, of course, do come with dust jackets.
So yes, I read hardcovers with the dust jacket off. Keeping it on while I'm reading means that the edges -- especially the bottom ones -- will inevitably start to get worn. That's especially the case if I'm reading the book with the lower edge of it resting against my chest. That's how I read if I'm in bed.
There's another reason, though; if I keep the dust jacket on, it slides around as I'm reading, and this just annoys me. I don't want to be distracted by such a silly little detail as I'm suspending my disbelief (in the case of fiction), or taking in an author's viewpoint (in the case of nonfiction).
So I prefer to take off the DJ before I plunge into a hardcover book. It's just more comfortable for me, and keeps my treasured book in great condition! Oh, and I laminate my dust jackets, too, whenever possible! :) As this can get pretty expensive, I only do this with my absolutely favorite hardcovers, though.
What are your thoughts on
this topic?
If you're participating in this hop,
I'll go comment on your
own BBH post.
If not, I will then comment on one
of your blog posts!
Thanks for visiting!!!
