I HATE it when books fall apart before I finish them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aaron Kashtan]

This has happened to me twice this year, with Ulysses and Esther Leslie's Hollywood Flatlands: Animation, Critical Theory and the Avant-Garde.

Why can't booksellers produce books that are sturdy enough to last for at least one reading?!

[Sabrina_Fried]

Because that would cost more money?

Seriously though, depending on how old those books are the glue that they use to hold the spines in place can actually become brittle and decay if the book is not stored well (ie if it is stored someplace too humid or in direct exposure to sunlight, etc).

If you know the printing of the book, I'd send a message to the publisher.

Sabrina

[Aaron Kashtan]

Because that would cost more money?

Seriously though, depending on how old those books are the glue that they use to hold the spines in place can actually become brittle and decay if the book is not stored well (ie if it is stored someplace too humid or in direct exposure to sunlight, etc).

If you know the printing of the book, I'd send a message to the publisher.

Sabrina

These books were both new. Maybe it's the humidity that did it, though -- I'm in northern Florida.

[Jonathan Bogart]

These books were both new. Maybe it's the humidity that did it, though -- I'm in northern Florida.

Newer books are made more cheaply than older ones. This is why I always try to buy hardback and used, preferably from a printing fifty years older or more, if I have a choice. Nothing beats a sewn binding.

[Aaron Kashtan]

Newer books are made more cheaply than older ones. This is why I always try to buy hardback and used, preferably from a printing fifty years older or more, if I have a choice. Nothing beats a sewn binding.

Older books are also uglier than newer books, though. And I hate the appearance of hardcover books, although I can't exactly explain why.

[Jonathan Bogart]

Older books are also uglier than newer books, though. And I hate the appearance of hardcover books, although I can't exactly explain why.

These two sentences make as much sense to me as if you had said that you preferred breathing carbon monoxide to oxygen because it was less purple. So, uh, okay.

[Aaron Kashtan]

These two sentences make as much sense to me as if you had said that you preferred breathing carbon monoxide to oxygen because it was less purple. So, uh, okay.

We'll have to agree to disagree, then.

[stealthwise]

We'll have to agree to disagree, then.

Can't you just disagree to agree instead?

[Roquefort Raider]

Can't you just disagree to agree instead?

Yes, if only to be agreeable.

[BcAugust]

Actually, I've only had one softcover and seven hardcover books fall apart on me. Thank goodness my mom has supplies for that. And I don't like hardcovers for anything but reference or gaming books, they take up more space then my paperbacks, and I need all the shelf space I can get.

[Roquefort Raider]

Why can't booksellers produce books that are sturdy enough to last for at least one reading?!

I found such flimsiness useful in only one case: to appease my conscience!

In my line of work, I sometimes get offered complimentary copies of textbooks that editors want me to adopt for my classes. I admit that I accept such offers even when the book's subject isn't exactly related to what I teach because, well, books are cool.

So when a gorgeous free copy of a biology textbook that there was no chance I'd force my students to buy fell apart on opening, I was sort of elated!

[Doodle Bob]

Older books are also uglier than newer books, though. And I hate the appearance of hardcover books, although I can't exactly explain why.

I actually don't generally like hardcover books either. There is just something aesthetically appealing (to me) about a nice, sturdy, roughly hand-sized paperback that makes the reading process enjoyable.

I found, though, that some publishers seem to produce sturdier paperbacks than others. Vintage Books, e.g., tend to be slightly longer lived. Also, Signet and Bantam paperbacks also can withstand some abuse.

The best paperbacks are in the old Tuttle Books series -- a publishing house specializing in asian (mostly japanese) literature. Great reinforced covers and stiched binding: the only way to read Mishima.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Sorry to hear about your books falling apart, Aaron.

It has never happened to me.

spoilers:

na na na na na na!

end of spoilers

Older books are also uglier than newer books, though. And I hate the appearance of hardcover books, although I can't exactly explain why.

I prefer new books over used books. As far as hardcovers are concerned, I disagree: I love them.

[Aaron Kashtan]

I found such flimsiness useful in only one case: to appease my conscience!

In my line of work, I sometimes get offered complimentary copies of textbooks that editors want me to adopt for my classes. I admit that I accept such offers even when the book's subject isn't exactly related to what I teach because, well, books are cool.

So when a gorgeous free copy of a biology textbook that there was no chance I'd force my students to buy fell apart on opening, I was sort of elated!

They do this in my line of work too. Twice a year, my department has a book fair where publishers' representatives distribute free copies of books they want us to adopt.

They also don't seem to mind if you abuse this system. For example, I am currently reading a Longman Cultural Edition of Henry IV, Part One and Two, that I got at the last book fair. I have no plans of teaching Shakespeare in the foreseeable future. :)

[DrewTheXenocide]

I once left a book in the car in direct sunlight and the heat competely melted the glue binding holding the book together.

Insanity!