Something Old, Something New
All other things being equal–do you prefer used books? Or new books? (The physical speciman, that is, not the title.) Does your preference differentiate between a standard kind of used book, and a pristine, leather-bound copy?
Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!
I, generally, don’t care what a book looks like if I am borrowing it from a friend or reading it from the library. I do prefer to have a somewhat intact copy that it still, you know, readable, for my own bookshelves because I do like to lend my books and I like for them to start out with a descent platform before they begin to be passed around.
That said, I have never been a big fan of the leather bound books, simply for show. As the blog title states, I like to write in books (though, I don’t do that as much, any more, preferring to jot notes on a pad or stickies) and I like to dog-ear and “love” my books a bit. The idea of something I can’t really lug around, for safe-keeping purposes, doesn’t exactly appeal to me.
Iwriteinbooks's Blog 
Don’t really buy books ‘by the cover’
Beyond the Lone Islands
I used post-it’s to mark passages in books and use a notebook to record comments in order not to mark in my book but it can be amusing to read someone else’s comments. I also used bookmarks and try not to dog ear the book.
Yep, yep, leather-bound books are impractical and are goo for collectors.
Ayanami Faerudo @ Whatever You Can Still Betray
I do have a variety of feelings about this topic, as my books include both old and new ones. Here’s MY BTT POST
Oooh the one thing I cannot stand is when people turn down the corners of the pages. I don’t know why I hate it so much I just do.
Sally.
http://theelifylop.blogspot.com/2011/02/booking-through-thursday-7.html
Haha I love doing it. It feels like I’m interacting with a book. I also like to quote books so it makes it easier to come back. It’s why reading borrowed, library or e-books drives me NUTS!
Love the idea of starting with a book that is structurally sound enough to pass around to friends!
I really like the feel of a brand new book, but am not opposed to buying used. The only thing I really hate is when I buy a used book and there is writing and highlighting all over it. I don’t ever write in my books, and prefer to make notes in a notebook, so this drives me crazy, but it usually only happens when I am buying over the internet.
here’s mine http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/02/booking-through-thursday_24.html
I used to write in my books a lot, but I’ve gotten out of the habit since lately I’ve been getting most of my books from the library. I like your idea of using post its. I’m with you on trying to lug around leather bound copies … not really worth it …
I totally agree with you. Here’s mine:
http://thebucketlist-gn.blogspot.com/2011/02/booking-through-thursday-and-third_24.html
Happy reading!
I prefer all the pages to stay in place – http://mostraum.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/booking-through-thursday-something-old-something-new/
New trade paperback is my preference.
I don’t often write in books though I have a friend who goes through each book, as she reads it, and blacks out profanity with a black marker. I might highlight a passage in a reference book or a book I am preparing a review for. It makes it easier to include passages that struck me at the time of reading.
Here’s my response to this week’s question at BTT.
I’m not a big fan of leather bound either. I do have special books, but not because they’re leather and then leather goes and falls apart anyway so what’s the point?
One thing I can’t stand is writing in them though! Yet when I come across a used book that’s had notes written in the front or margins, I like to think about where the book has been and why that person was making notes.
While I don’t like writing in my books, I am not really a fan of leather-bound books. It’s harder to carry them around, and I’m not as comfortable reading them as with a paperback. My full answer is here. 🙂
I don’t like the big heavy leather books … I think they are hard to read and uncomfortable.
While I don’t like big classic volumes, I’ve found some comfort in reading a nice, thick, new hard cover on occasion. :O)