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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Booking Through Thursday

This week's Booking Through Thursday asks the following question:

(When it comes to books and collectibles.)

COLLECTIBLES?

Hardcover? Or paperback?
Illustrations? Or just text?
First editions? Or you don’t care?
Signed by the author? Or not?


Well, if I could afford it I'd always choose the hardback if I really like a book. Hardbacks are nice and I don't worry about them falling apart so very easily. But I don't necessarily mind paperback. I'd just like them to be in good condition.

As for illustrations - depends on what I'm reading, really! On the one hand, I like my imagination to go to work and provide the images for the words I'm reading. On the other hand, I need some help from the author to figure out what the scene is, or how a particular character looks. Obviously, I prefer illustrations in children's books and sometimes YA fiction. I never expect it in adult fiction so I'm not applying my answer to adult works.

First editions? Naw, I don't care. Unless it's a Lucy Maud Montgomery book in which case I'm liable to get a little excited. (I have a first edition Anne of Green Gables and Anne's House of Dreams which I'm particularly fond of.

Signed by the author? I really don't care.

What about you? In what form do you enjoy your books?

7 comments:

Lisa (Southern Girl Reads) said...

Because I'be been a member of a book club for years, most of mine are hardbacks, but I like the trade pb as well. Illistrations were never really that important to me because I like to imagine the story in my minds eye.

When people look at my books, it makes me hopeful that they will take an interest and read a book. I always encourage people to read, but I don't nag. Recently I was told by a friend that after seeing my blog, she picked up a book and is now reading - and loving it! That made me feel great!!

Anonymous said...

I like what I like in whatever format, but a nice edition with illustrations makes it even more enjoyable, though paperbacks are easier to handle.

Anonymous said...

I prefer paperbacks myself, but I'm just happy to have the books to read! :) Formats don't bother me too much. But I wouldn't say I really "collect" books, either.

B said...

Good point about using the imagination instead of relying on illustrations. Sometimes I've been rather disappointed by illustrations, so the fewer the better as far as I'm concerned.

SmilingSally said...

I do not collect books; I read 'em. Happy Booking Through Thursday!

claire said...

I like hardcovers, too, but never buy them new, always used. Sometimes they're even cheaper than used paperbacks. :)

Sky said...

I like used hardbacks, the more used the more I think it was loved and read, I prefer those, it makes me feel like it's an old friend of a friend.
I dislike illustrations, I like *MY* books to be in my head and am invariably disappointed by images others come up with.
I do have a few paperbacks that I just cannot get rid of even though they are falling apart, they have been through so much with me! I recently bought a hardback to one of my staples and I read the hardback but did not enjoy picking it up as much as I did my orignal! (Stitches in Time by Barbara Michaels)

I like first editions of my favorite authors, it gives me a thrill to know that the book I hold was the first one to hit the shelves. I do not have very many first editions but I am working on it!
As for being signed, I do not care to buy signed books, now if I could have MET the author!! That would be something else all together!

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