As a fantasy writer, I'm a huge fan of old looking books. If I can get a book in hard cover with gold letters on the spine then I'm happy. But when I get a book with a book sleeve, I have a problem. I usually remove the sleeve for the old style look but I don't want harm to come to the sleeve either. So what do you think about book sleeves? If you prefer not to use them, what do you do with them?

When I read a book with a sleeve I take the sleeve off and put it some where safe then when I finish the book I put it back on and put it back on my shelf.

I just leave the sleeve on...they don't bother me and I usually think of them as a way to protect the actual book cover.

I have an old book that a friend gave me. The sleeve just looks dated, but the hardcover... black with gorgeous gold lettering. Ooh! So I took the sleeve off. And then realized, as I was reading, that the black fabric dye came off on my fingers. So I had to put the sleeve back on.

Usually I leave the book sleeve on as it came, unless it's highly damaged.

I usually leave the sleeve on, too, unless it's in poor condition. I like book sleeves that are well-illustrated and tell a little about the book.

I take 'em all off unless the book is autographed. Then I leave it in original condition.

Dust jackets annoy me. They flop around and slide off and don't stay on flat when you open the book. I much prefer the cool antique look of hardcover books without the jacket.

Dust Jacket, that's what I meant to say...

Cue a library volunteer! *doffs hat* As a library volunteer, one of my main jobs is the protection of books in different forms of covers, and I have the answer for you. Cover the dust jacket in plastic, and then replace the dust jacket on the book. The dust jacket will be held in place by the plastic, so it won't fall off when you read it. It also protects it from being destroyed whilst still protecting the book. This is what I did with my copy of "The Skin Map", my prize from the HW Christmas competition. I've taken some photos for you, and added a diagram of how to do it, in case you'd like to. Hope they are helpful!

That is impressive. What kind of plastic do you use?

Just clear plastic, that comes on a roll; a little like cellophane, only not as crinkly.

We've done that with quite a few of my books. Haven't done it to recent ones though

My mom has done that to some of our books (she used to be a librarian as well). But so many of my books are paperback that it doesn't really matter. (Although I have a copy of the Silmarillion published in the 50s...the dust jacket was so old and crumbly I threw it away and the book looks really neat just as a hard cover =P)

eruheran

I concur! Fascinating tutorial, Aussie.

No worries, glad it helped.

Wow, Aussie! That was an impressive tutorial. I do basically the same thing with some of our collectables. And our Italian leather books Daddy wants those ones protected at all costs Although... I like to pet the covers.

Italian leather? Wow!

Yeah... My Daddy has this multi-generational family library vision (which is coming along nicely) and I happen to be the child the benefits the most from it. We even designed a library stamp, and I maintain a database that has all of our books, who is borrowing what, and- yeah, you get the idea. We run our own library, basically, complete with books, cds, teaching tapes, audio dramas, dvds, and vhs of all kinds, varieties, and matters of importance.

Our Italian leathers just happen to be some of my favorites. Not necessarily because of their content I just like soft books

There is a running joke carried on amongst those who know me in real life. “But sweetheart, we can’t live that far away, we must be close to The Books!” Not, “We must stay close to home so I can see my family”, but “the Books”. *rolls eyes* I am so loved… So yeah.

Cool!

I think my most valuable book is, unfortunately, a paperback, so I cannot guard the cover with plastic.

Wow, that is so cool, Airi! *decides to do that one day* You're own library... *dreams blissfully*



You can cover it with clear sticky contact plastic though. That's what I do for my softcovers.

My most valuable book would be (ironically) "A Little Bush Maid" by Mary Grant Bruce. It's a very early copy, probably from 1930's, as it was first published in 1910. I was just trying to find a copy of it online, but I can't find any that looks like mine, so I suspect it's an earlier copy. If I had it with me I'd read the copyright info to tell you. It was passed down to me from my great grandma, so it's very special. I still read it, even though it's very old.

Oooh. I have no idea about book value. I have a few ancient hardcovers (one I'm sure was printed in the early 1800's) but I don't know what they're worth. Somebody gave them to me.

Wow, 1800's? They must be some pretty cool looking books! I only know that rare books by Mary Grant Bruce (author of A Little Bush Maid) can be worth up to $300. I read an article somewhere on the web.

The really old one is The Pilot, by James Fenimore Cooper (or however you spell that name.) I wouldn't be surprised if it were a first edition. There's no copyright page though...

That's awesome. (I think you spelled it right). My church was established in 1806 so in the original chapel we've got some really old books, not in the best condition but it's still something to hold a piece of the past like that.

My most valuable book is the Bible. *grins*

eruheran

Oh sure Andrew, go an put us all to shame *sticks tongue out because the smiley doesn't do it right *

Let me rephrase. The book I own of the most valuable content is my bible.

I do believe we were talking in monetary value. But I'm sure the book with the most valuable content would be the same book for all of us.

Very true.

A great many of my books are library rejects so the dustcovers are already covered in plastic. Otherwise dust jackets get totally destroyed around here...

If a dust jacket is really tattered I fold it neatly and stick it between the back cover and the pages. And if I lend the book to anyone I take it out and put it in a safe place until I get the book back. Otherwise I really like dust jackets, they remove the need for a book mark.

On the subject of libraries; something that's become rather important to me is having my own library if/when I move out. I can't take my dad's, obviously, so I've started my own. If I really, really like a book I'll put forth money and great effort to own it in hard cover for "My library".

I should learn to do that plastic cover thing for my third riddle master book... I never liked it all that much though, because plastic is just... well, you know. Paper and cloth ad leather and all that is really cool and plastic kind of ruins it.

Yeah, plastic + cloth/leather binding = Cloth or leather bindings really don't go with plastic all that well.

If I ever get to build my dream house, it's going to have a room totally dedicated to a library, no matter how small it is. *visualizes floor to ceiling bookcases* I very nearly have enough books to fill it already! I have two half sized book shelves, both are full. And two boxes under my bed; those are full too.

I've got a long and short bookshelf stacked two books deep, plus a tall bookshelf that is half stacked two books deep and half filled with bigger books, plus more books on various other shelves. I take good care of them, and since most of them are easily replaceable, I haven't taken the time to protect them any further yet. But since they are sort of like my own private library, perhaps I need to.


I've been envisioning a writing room: Nothing but a computer desk and lots and lots of shelves filled with books.

Wow! I love hearing about other people's book collections! I'm very particular with my books; I have rules when I lend them to my siblings, even. I cover some, but not all, depending on what kind of binder they have, if they are more prone to fraying at the edges, or falling apart. We know another homeschooling family who is very rough on books... and they like to borrow them. I lent them one, once... it came back in pieces. I was devastated, and quite ticked off, and had a hard time not showing it.

And yes, I think I could put up with a room like that, also. Only I would have a really old fashioned writing desk, the one with the slanting lid. I'd also have a sound system, to play music through.

*decides she better stop derailing the thread with writing/library room fantasies*

I've had similar things happen. It is also annoying to see the abuse that library books take.


Definitely, though that would be part of the computer.


Likewise.

I tend to go with paperbacks just because I'm rather poor right now. I've got nearly 300 books, and I've gotten rid of around a hundred I didn't want. And I joke that people borrowing my books will be subject to bodily harm relative to the damage inflicted on my books.

I actually always go for paperbacks (or softcovers, as we call them) because I find them so much easier to read. Even my Bible is a softcover. I only own about 2 new hard covers.

Same with me, since they're easier to read (and fit on a shelf, and they're cheaper). Plus, I take such good care of them that they stay "like new" or like whatever condition I got them in.

I constructed the funniest letter that got sent out to all of our friends who borrow books from us. Because we work as a library (except we choose who is allowed to take what), we began to have problems with certain people not giving things back in an orderly fashion. The DVDs were the worst. When Fireproof first came out and everyone wanted to see it, we struggled with the fact that it was not being shared amongst everyone, but some people hogged it. So I wrote up a humorous prodding for people to return things in a timely manner, and in proper condition.

I'm exactly the same, Jonathan. I take really good care of mine too, so that the covers are still shiny. Or if need be, I cover them. If I find a crease in the cover...

Awesome, Airi. I'd like to see that letter! Although I'm really terrible at taking stuff back to the library. I do all the borrowing for my family, so I have a handful of library cards with books and movies on them all, taken out at different dates, so I'm constantly forgetting when things are due back.

E-mail me and I'll see if I can scrounge it up for you. It's kind of off topic, so I don't want to post it here

I like dust jackets.

*goes to hide*

Haha Elly, you don't have to hide!