Battered books? Criminal!
On Monday, David Barnett wrote a paean to tatty paperbacks on the Guardian website here. He even included a photograph of one of his most treasured books, a battered copy of Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle. It is, quite frankly, falling apart. I'm surprised it's still readable.
I, on the other hand, hate battered books. Almost every book I own appears brand new. I have paperbacks I bought in the 1970s which look like they were published last week. Some of the books I've given away or sold - on eBay or Amazon marketplace - are in as good condition as those you'd find on the shelves of your local Waterstone's, though they might be ten, twenty or thirty years old.
I have bought tatty books, of course. Some books that I want to read, but have no intention of keeping, I will buy irrespective of condition - usually from charity shops. And they'll go back there once I've read them. Books that are going in the collection, however, have to be fine or near mint. But if I discover that I really like the book and want to keep it, and it's pretty dog-eared - then I'll go and buy a new copy of the book.
(Rest of post on It Doesn't Have To Be Right...)
I, on the other hand, hate battered books. Almost every book I own appears brand new. I have paperbacks I bought in the 1970s which look like they were published last week. Some of the books I've given away or sold - on eBay or Amazon marketplace - are in as good condition as those you'd find on the shelves of your local Waterstone's, though they might be ten, twenty or thirty years old.
I have bought tatty books, of course. Some books that I want to read, but have no intention of keeping, I will buy irrespective of condition - usually from charity shops. And they'll go back there once I've read them. Books that are going in the collection, however, have to be fine or near mint. But if I discover that I really like the book and want to keep it, and it's pretty dog-eared - then I'll go and buy a new copy of the book.
(Rest of post on It Doesn't Have To Be Right...)