Book Care › mamaLove

Book Care 22 February 2007

What kind of care do you take of your books? Let’s review, shall we?

Are you careful with the spines? Or do you crack your books open to make them lay flat? Most of the time I pull them open to make them flatter, but I do it with care so that I won’t bust the spine.
Do you use bookmarks? Or do you dog-ear the corners? If you do use bookmarks, do you use those fashionable metal ones? Or paper? I use bookmarks. Only paper ones since they make the book close flush. If I can’t find a bookmark, I will usually grab any old piece of paper I can find until I can replace that with an actual bookmark.
Do you write in your books? Ever? If you do, do you make small marks, or write in as much blank space as you can find? Pen or pencil? Highlighter? Your name on the front page? Occassionally I’ll write in a book and usually only my name or a bookcrossing id #, but that’s about it
Do you toss your books on the floor? Into bookbags? Or do you treat them tenderly, with respect? I toss a book anywhere since my current read usually goes with me everywhere
Do you ever lay your book face-down, to save your place? Yep, I do that when I just need to put it down for a minute but know I’m going to pick it right back up to read
Um—water? Do you bathe with your books? Hold them with wet hands? Read out in the rain? Anything of that sort? Nope, I try to keep my books from getting wet
Are your books lined up on a bookshelf? Or crammed in any which way? Stacked on the floor? Most of the books I have that haven’t been read yet are on a bookshelf. Books that I want to keep that I’ve read are stored in a box in the closet. I have several of those.
Do you make a distinction—as regards book care—between hardcovers and paperbacks? Not really, I pretty much treat all books the same, with the exception of the hardcover jackets. I try to make sure they don’t get torn up.
And, to recap? Naturally, you love all of your books, but how, exactly? Are your books loved in the battered way of a well-loved teddy bear, or like a cherished photo album or item of clothing that’s used, appreciated, but carefully cared for? I think my books are somewhere in between. Depends on how much I liked the book, but the condition isn’t as important to me. I’ve got some books that have been pretty battered, but they are a few of my favorites. Then I’ve also got favorites that look like they’ve never been read.
Any additional comments? I’m a book whore I think. I’ve got books everywhere. I have an addiction…every month I have to buy at least one book. Don’t know what it is, but I have to get my fix.