Comments on: BTT: Ideal Conditions

By: Anne @ Lyndale Press

Anne @ Lyndale Press — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:43:14 +0000

I’m much like you, though there is one thing that makes me cringe – highlighting. I can’t stand to read a book with highlighting in it, and have to get another copy.

If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend Anne Fadiman’s ‘Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader’, a small collection of Fadiman’s essays on writing, reading, language, books, etc. She has one essay devoted to reading habits that I think you’d enjoy based on this post – though the entire book is fantastic.

By: Veens

Veens — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:27:49 +0000

I don’t like doing all that – but I know more times I can admit- I have done something bad to the books too

But I like keeping them pristine and beautiful – the way they came to me

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:13:10 +0000

Do you ever get grossed out by bits of food, hair, etc. in library books? I try to be more careful with those than with my own books. I’ve never understood the appeal of owning first editions. Signed editions, sometimes, but not something I’d be afraid to read.

By: S. Krishna

S. Krishna — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:54:28 +0000

I try to be as gentle as possible, but any book I’ve carried around with me has definitely gotten a little wear.

By: Jeane

Jeane — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:24:54 +0000

I don’t like seeing books get bent or cracked. But if they’re going to get read, they’ll experience some wear. I read in the bath, too. Never dropped a book yet, but I’m always afraid it will happen someday!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:35:28 +0000

I thought I was the only person in the world who would read and knit at the same time! I actually crocheted an entire afghan in college while studying, too.

By: lisalynne

lisalynne — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:16:33 +0000

I try to be gentle with my books, especially since so many of mine are hardcovers. But sometimes, accidents happen and there’s no getting around it – which is why we do not read hardcovers in the bathtub anymore. I can deal with a splash of spaghetti sauce on the page, but not one that’s been drip-dried.

By: Ladytink_534

Ladytink_534 — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:08:13 +0000

Well I didn’t actually cringe exactly but I do all those things too (except the bathtub, I know how clumsy I am). I’ve always been really gentle with my books though. If they get thrown into my purse I make sure it doesn’t get bent or anything lol.

By: Sally

Sally — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:11:29 +0000

I’m gentle, but I don’t cringe at others. If you bought it, do what you want with it.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:03:04 +0000

I am gentle, but I love what you had to say!