Book Lair discussion

Do you own any hardcovers? Why did you get it, what do you like about hardcovers?

I buy a few authors as they publish. always hardcover, even if I also buy the e - book. I have hundreds, if not a thousand books on assorted shelves throughout my house. I'm a reader, my children are readers and I love the feel, sight, smell of books.

A hardcover sure is a lot more stylish. It is also more durable than paperbacks, right? Or does the binding also come apart like in paperbacks? I think I vaguely recall a bad experience with the cover splitting from the pages... But then again it also happened with a big paperback.

Ana wrote: "A hardcover sure is a lot more stylish. It is also more durable than paperbacks, right? Or does the binding also come apart like in paperbacks? I think I vaguely recall a bad experience with the co..."

A well loved/read book may split on the binding, but that really is just a sign of a good book in my opinion.

I also collect leather bound books. Barnes & Noble carries a line and there are a few vendors online I buy from or request birthday/Christmas presents from. I don't really read them often, but they are lovely on the "special" case in my den. :D

Oh wow leather bound, that sounds really exquisite. And expensive hehe. But yes, something for life, for sure.

I have some, not as many as I have paperbacks. It's a luxury buy for me because hardcovers are quite expensive where I live, but they're so pretty it's hard to resist buying them.

The Barnes & Noble leather collectible editions are between $20 and $25 and go on sale as a buy two get one free pretty frequently. They are really beautiful and often compile a couple of books by the same author. Sometimes it's even cheaper than buying the actual HB.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/colle...

Interesting, thank you very much, I will bookmark that.

That's very interesting to know, thank you.

In France, we have the "La Pleïade" collection. Those are leather bound books, luxury items. Unfortunately, price is around 60€. My godfather gave me one once, and it is one of my little treasures.

It's expensive but hopefully it will last a lifetime and your children will get to experience it so.. It's an investment eheh. Cheap in the long run.

Never am I putting a La Pleïade book in a kid's hand! The paper is very thin Bible paper, I would be far too worried that he'll rip it off!

I wouldn't let my children read my "special" books either! Maybe that makes me selfish, but I have no problem getting them the paperback if they want to read one. Also, most of those I have are favorites already, which is why I am willing to invest in them, so the chance my already having it in a more kid friendly format is pretty good!

As an example of my love of hardbacks, I pre-ordered Revival quite a while ago and today pre-ordered the ebook so I can keep the HB perfect. Silly, illogical, but still true. :D

Ahah now that's loving your books :)

Even if the hardcover gives you a much nice book, the problem with lasting through time is more often related with the humidity on the pages than with the bidding, which a hardcover can't save you from. Anyway if it's a book for keep (and which isn't!?) and if you can spend the extra cash, I would advice to buy the hardcover version.

Am I crazy for thinking the humidity in the pages adds to a book's value? I guess cause it's a mark of time's passage, if that makes any sense.

I know what you mean, but unfortunnatly no. Humidity is the worst that can happen to your books, except peraphs worms...

Makes sense, shame really...

Humidity is like a disease. It often cames out slowly unoticed at first, until it's too late. I found out that it can pass from one book to the other very rapidly too!

It's hard to miss too. I for one don't notice humidity in the air. Until I look at the book pages, eh.

Nothing better than a well ventillated room for your bookcase!

I have to say, I don't really care about the "actual" value of the hardback books I buy. It's the sentimental value that means everything to me. I have first edition hardbacks of every single King book, not all purchased upon release, but still collected by me.

I also have first edition hardbacks of every Colleen McCullough, (including a signed Morgan's Run), Michael Chrichton, Joe Hill (including a signed Horns) and Amy Tan.

It feels better in the hands also!

Sadly, I read almost everything on my Nook now because it's easier on my eyes, but I do love my books. (the actual books!)

You feel it's cover soft textur, open it slowly with antecipation. You feel the smell of it's pages that surrounds you and instatly you travel to another world. You fell it and you know, you are at home now! You start reading a little awakardly since you don't even know where to begin. But you know you can't be lost, this is your world anyway, how could you!? You look at the pictures in awe a little uncertain if you should revel over them or keep your reading of the very text itself. You decide your mind and you keep on reading, and on and on till the end, when you know you will have that feeling again, of something missing. That's when you know you are reading to find, your next book!

I have a wide range of hardcover books. I like how hefty they are. They are easy for me to hold in my hands, and I needn't worry about their pages bending when I carry them in my bag. They are easier to keep propped open as well. :)