Do you read your books?

An odd question, I know, however I have a friend who collects Folio Society and Easton Press Books, among many others. He does not read his books, but rather buys a reading copy of each, not touching his originals, so as to "maintain their value." I wonder if others know of folks who do this, and how do you feel about it. Does this make sense to any of you?

>1 Frank_Zwolinski: problem with me is that I only want to read Easton press books, especially their limited editions and only limited editions from FS. Lol

>1 Frank_Zwolinski:
Not only do I read them, but I highlight and make notes in the standard editions. I try to keep my DLEs reasonably clean, though, but I do read them. What else is a book for if not to read and perhaps study?

Same ... not a collector ... though I appreciate knowing not everyone has the 'unique' versions I do (in regards to these DLE's and LE's). I too am a huge EP and FS reader.

I've stated this before ... a well produced book affects you thru all the senses ... a good binding and good paper just 'feel' amazing to hold while reading. A good paper and print is so much easier and more enjoyable to read from. The weight and size of a book is so important for those long reading sessions to be comfortable. And like a new car ... 'new book smell' ... is always welcome.

The one thing i've always wished FS would follow EP's lead with ... is including an attached ribbon page marker.

But yes ... to me a book could be no more useless then when it is simply a shelf trophy.

I am methodically reading my books, but like many obsessive collectors may never read everything I ever bought. Unfortunately there are some books which came with Franklin or EP subscriptions which I will never read because I simply do not enjoy them such as plays, poetry, and many ancient classics you will find in the GBWW and Harvard Classics. For instance, I recently stubbornly slogged through Dante’s Divine Comedy. I did not enjoy the read; Dore’s illustrations made it palatable. So I probably have 100 leather books which will sit on my shelf since they have no eBay market value (especially with eBay’s brutal 15% commission). Some series I wish I never subscribed to such as EP’s sci-fi series many of which are horribly mediocre with some occasional winners like Tao Zero, 2001 A Space Odyssey and Dune.

Then there is my weird brother. I have been buying him leather books for 45 years. He never touches them because he does not want to ruin them. Instead he buys the paperback or kindle version if he wants to read them.

>5 HugoDumas: I’m surprised that you sold your Count of Monte Crusto Routledge nicely illustrated ep dle. I thought you were collecting books like that.

>6 fancythings: I explained on previous post why I am selling everything which has reasonable market value. You are young and just starting out on your leather book journey, while I have been doing it for nearly 50 years.

>7 HugoDumas: I saw it. Thanks

>6 fancythings: I know you are a Routledge collector. If you are interested my near mint Les Miserables DLE is on eBay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Easton-Press-Victor-Hugo-LES-MISERABLES-1887-Routledge-...

>9 HugoDumas: lol sure is very beautiful 5 set of my favorite Hugo novel. Would never be able to afford it at that price. My parents only buy directly from ep and fs. Thank you very much for this offer though. Getting ready for dental school too and that’s very expensive. So, I get only books for special occasions only. Lol

P. S. Like other books in your store too.

>1 Frank_Zwolinski:

If I expect a book to become valuable, I will sometimes buy 2+ copies from Easton Press; one to read/keep for myself and the others to sell later.

>11 mortalalliance: same. I wish I had realized this sooner as it has often basically paid for my personal copy or in the least offset the cost substantially. The only downside to this technique ... is you need space to store them and often a fair amount of patience for them to sell out so that they will have a 'premium' value on the secondary market.

And it's kinda of catch 22 with the way I view this practice. I don't mind the thought of doing this to offset the cost of your private collection ... I share others frustration with those who buy up 20 copies of a 400 limited run title ... so that they can heavily profit.

But to each their own I suppose.

>4 thisGuy33: Isn’t this true!? The quality of the book (paper, binding, cover) affects the visceral reading experience. So, yes, I too read my EP books. Though like others have stated, sometimes the books come in faster than I can read them. But then there will be a dry spell when EP isn’t releasing books that I am interested in reading. Maybe I’ll catch up one day. When I retire! :P

>15 Neil_Luvs_Books: Believe me, retirement DOES NOT give you any more time!!

>16 Frank_Zwolinski: Hear hear! I once offered to take a friend of mine to lunch after he followed me to drop off my car for shipment to the U.S. (a four hour round trip). His response: “Lunch! I don’t have time for lunch...I’m retired!

I love marking up my books but I haven't had the heart to mark in my EP books. Why is that? There has to be a phobia for marking up leather books.

late to the convesation. Yes to reading. Yes to writing notes and observations and reactions and thoughts in the margins as well on many, many of the less valuable EP books.

Yes, I read my EP and Gryphon Editions and buy them for the purpose they are intended for, reading and building a grand home library. I am currently reading two EP titles and one Gryphon title.

Yes, I read my EP and FS books but I do not write in them.

I never write in my books. I read a lot of them.