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Books - do you take the glossy covers off?

post #1 of 26
8/4/09 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 
I hate reading hardcovers with the plastic covers on. Also, I read quite a bit and unfortunately I find most new releases with their glossy covers extremely ugly. I like to keep all my books and do re-read them years later. Do any of you just throw away the covers?
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post #2 of 26
8/4/09 at 3:43pm
I also hate the covers. I'll take them off as I'm reading, but put them back on when I put them back on the shelf. It seems that this should lengthen the lifespan of the book, or at least protect the cover.
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post #3 of 26
8/4/09 at 5:42pm
read the covers, then gone into the trashcan...
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post #4 of 26
8/4/09 at 5:53pm
When I start reading the book, the cover goes off, and stays off until I'm done with it. Dust jackets help resale value if in good condition.

That said, I much prefer paperbacks... hardcovers are usually uncomfortable to read (especially the big history books I like) and weigh a ton when travelling with them
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post #5 of 26
8/4/09 at 9:39pm
Paperbacks are so great. I have no idea why people enjoy reading hardbacks unless they're obsessed with displaying them on shelves or the book doesn't come in paperback. I would never choose to pay more to read a less functional hardback.
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post #6 of 26
8/4/09 at 9:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by StephenHero View Post
Paperbacks are so great. I have no idea why people enjoy reading hardbacks unless they're obsessed with displaying them on shelves or the book doesn't come in paperback. I would never choose to pay more to read a less functional hardback.

Some books aren't available in paperback.

I take my dust cover off when I'm reading the book, keep it near my book case, then put it back on the book when I'm done.
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post #7 of 26
8/4/09 at 9:53pm
Do you guys also re-install the "sanitized for your protection" thing on hotel toilets? Jezuz, what a bunch of anals.
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post #8 of 26
8/4/09 at 10:15pm
Yes, but more because I find the dust jackets don't want to stay in place. So I just pitch 'em.
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post #9 of 26
8/4/09 at 10:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by StephenHero View Post
Paperbacks are so great. I have no idea why people enjoy reading hardbacks unless they're obsessed with displaying them on shelves or the book doesn't come in paperback. I would never choose to pay more to read a less functional hardback.
Durability. Even better quality paperbacks only hold up to so many readings (binding), and the quality of the paper is usually a lot worse. Also, there are times when you don't want to wait. I just bought Colum McCann's LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN because I've read a few fantastic reviews and want to crack it soon. http://www.amazon.com/Let-Great-Worl...9435283&sr=8-1
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post #10 of 26
8/4/09 at 10:25pm
I like how the old paperbacks had that cellophane coating that peels after a few decades.
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post #11 of 26
8/4/09 at 10:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LabelKing View Post
I like how the old paperbacks had that cellophane coating that peels after a few decades.

+1. As the pages turn yellow and start to crinkle, the corners would fold back and ruin the cover art. Good stuff.
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post #12 of 26
8/4/09 at 10:28pm
It doesn't really matter to me.
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post #13 of 26
8/4/09 at 11:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SField View Post
I hate reading hardcovers with the plastic covers on. Also, I read quite a bit and unfortunately I find most new releases with their glossy covers extremely ugly. I like to keep all my books and do re-read them years later. Do any of you just throw away the covers?
I agree with all of this. I also find the slippery, and since the don't breath, my skin sweats after long reading sessions. We have a little library, and hence, tend to purchase hardcovers. Books are always reused many times here. I do strip off those glossy slipcovers near immediately and stash them in a box in the closet we have behind the shelves (it's a second-floor vaulted room so it's behind the low wall) that we use for periodicals. I prefer to purchase old, well bound books from the late 1800s to the 1950s. Some of my embossed and gilt Longfellows and Shelleys and such adorn the shelves beautifully. But of course, with new books you're stuck with what you can get. ~ H ~ H
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post #14 of 26
8/4/09 at 11:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Huntsman View Post

I prefer to purchase old, well bound books from the late 1800s to the 1950s. Some of my embossed and gilt Longfellows and Shelleys and such adorn the shelves beautifully. But of course, with new books you're stuck with what you can get.

~ H

This is an idea that has interested me for a while, since I am an avid reader and really do love beautiful books. The problem is that a lot of these old editions are falling apart and it's a shame for someone who reads books many times to use them.
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post #15 of 26
8/5/09 at 12:23am
I always buy hardcover when available and have a strong preference for the look, feel, paper, and quality of truly bound books.

I remove the dustjacket prior to reading and replace it when finished. One day when I rearrange my books I'll likely remove all dust covers and store them separately.

As a rule, for classic literature I don't already own, I look for titles in the Everyman series and the like which allow me to group titles together for a similar look.
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