How long do you wait to replace a book?

IReidandWrite · Mar 7, 2010

I've had my first (I believe) edition Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone book for about 10 years. It's lookin' a little raggedy (one of the halves of the cover of the actual book kind of...slants and there's a crayon mark somewhere in the middle (how, I don't know, as I was terribly afraid of damaging books when I was little).

I posted before about the Harry Potter in Leatherbound.

I KNOW I should save my money, but....

When do you typically replace a book?

thothguard51 · Mar 7, 2010

I don't replace books unless there is a need, or if I have the extra money. I get a lot of my replacements from used book stores because of what I am replacing is out of print stuff, or hard to find.

Some of mine look pretty ratty, but I think that adds to the charm. It shows they are more than just a shelf collection.

PurpleHat · Mar 9, 2010

I throw them out when too many pages fall out to keep track of any more. It seems to be a problem with twenty year old paper backs. The glue just dries up and disappears.

I replace them when I next want to read them.

Alpha Echo · Mar 9, 2010

I don't replace a book unless I've left it on a plane or lent it to someone who didn't return it. And only then if it's a book I either didn't finish or absolutely love.

tarcanus · Mar 18, 2010

I've never had to replace a book. Maybe I'm just overly protective of my books, but many of mine are still in pristine condition. It could also be because with so many great books to read, I rarely get a chance to go back and re-read.

roonil_wazlib · Mar 20, 2010

tarcanus said:
I've never had to replace a book. Maybe I'm just overly protective of my books, but many of mine are still in pristine condition. It could also be because with so many great books to read, I rarely get a chance to go back and re-read.

Same. I have a mini library and I've only worked my way through one-third. I'm a little bit of a freak about making sure they're not too banged up and I try and dust them as often as possible.

I don't replace books until it's impossible to take them anywhere without losing pages. Otherwise, I save my money for other things. Like more books.

RickN · Mar 20, 2010

tarcanus said:
I've never had to replace a book. Maybe I'm just overly protective of my books, but many of mine are still in pristine condition. It could also be because with so many great books to read, I rarely get a chance to go back and re-read.

My library was the same way, then I had kids. (Technically, my wife had them but I was there cheering her on. At least, during the commercials in the basketball game playing on the room's TV. Hey - it was a good game!)

My kids do not take the same care that I do. So, I repair where I can and replace when I can't. I've gotten pretty good with glue and rubber bands.

Adam · Mar 20, 2010

I haven't had to replace any so far, but if so much as one page came loose, I'd buy another copy.

Baryonyx · Apr 8, 2010

I've never had a book fall into bad condition so it needs replacing. I try to take good care of my books but I'm a bit of a clumsy oaf so most usually end up with spilt tea, bent spines, accidentally torn pages etc. Still not badly damaged to warrant replacing though

I have lost one or two though that when I've been dying to re-read them I've had to go and rebuy

Shadow_Ferret · Apr 8, 2010

Some of my very old paperbacks are held together with Elmer's glue and Scotch Tape. I never replace them. They're old friends.

DeleyanLee · Apr 8, 2010

When the duct tape breaks on the spine for the 3rd time. After that 3rd repair, it never sits right on the bookshelf again.

semmie · Apr 9, 2010

Shadow_Ferret said:
Some of my very old paperbacks are held together with Elmer's glue and Scotch Tape. I never replace them. They're old friends.

After a traumatic experience with lending, losing, and trying to replace a book that I desperately loved, I committed fully to the notion of buying books for friends rather than lending my own. Books are so personal. I hate losing them; I hate replacing them.

How long do you wait to replace a book?

IReidandWrite

thothguard51

A Gentleman of a refined age...

PurpleHat

Alpha Echo

I should be writing.

tarcanus

Lord of the Tarcans

roonil_wazlib

Smile.

RickN

Adam

Not dead.

Baryonyx

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

semmie

barefooted