Winner of TEMPTED and speaking of beautiful books
The winner of a signed copy of PC Cast and Kristin Cast's TEMPTED is...Patti! Congrats!Thanks to everyone who commented, and a special thanks to PC who popped it during her whirlwind book tour to say hi.
We have two more Blogtoberfest contests still open:
Jeri Smith-Ready and an ARC of Shade
Rachel Vincent and My Soul to Take or My Soul to Save (winner's choice)
I'll announce the final two regular prize winners on Monday, along with the super-mega-jackapotamus grand prize winner.
My own copy of Tempted arrived the other day, along with Scott Westerfeld's new YA steampunk novel, Leviathan. They're both deliciously gorgeous, inside and out. Tempted's book jacket has beautiful artwork on the inside--which I'd never seen before her last book, Hunted--as well as artwork on the hardcover face itself (under the jacket)--which I haven't seen since I was a kid.
Inside jacket art of Hunted:
Speaking of things I haven't seen since I was a kid, Leviathan has illustrations! I remember growing up, reaching the point where my chapter books had no pictures and feeling quite cheated. So I can't wait to dig into this one.
It's also a bit heavier than other books its size, and together with the illustrations and the metallic embossing of the cover art, the whole effect is classic, old-fashioned quality. Which makes sense, considering it's steampunk and meant to evoke an earlier age.
Here are a couple of fascinating interviews on Tor.com about the illustrations, one with Scott Westerfeld and one with artist Keith Thompson. There's also a blog about the gorgeous Grand Map, which is printed inside the front and back covers.The problem is, I can't take these books traveling with me, and November is full of travels (yes, during a rewrite--madness, I tell you!). Not only do hardcovers provide extra weight, but their beauty could get marred.
I learned this lesson the hard way. I once loaned my hardcover of one of my favorite books, Michael Chabon's Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, to someone who took it with them every day on the subway. It got some ugly damage, and what's worse, the person didn't even like the book! (It later won the Pulitzer, so there.)
Luckily, I have a couple dozen mass market paperbacks I haven't read yet, in a pile so high I literally can't reach the top to add another. And with paperbacks, I actually prefer them a little worn out--it shows I've loved them well.
Do you treat your books differently based on the format? Coddle your hardcovers and abuse your paperbacks? If a hardcover book has particularly amazing artwork, are you more likely to buy it rather than waiting for the cheaper paperback, or do you base that decisions solely on the book itself and how much you need it now Now NOW?
Whatever your preferred form of book, be it hard or soft or electronic, I hope you have a happy weekend of reading!
Labels: Blogtoberfest, reading
11 Comments:
As for treatment of them... I usually remove the jackets for my hard covers so as not to destroy them in transit. I carry a book or two with me everywhere I go, and I learned the hard way that they get destroyed easily. I haven't found any that have artwork on the book itself under the jacket, but I suppose if I did, I'd be less likely to be so cavalier. My purse doesn't seem to cause too much harm, none discernable in face, but as I said... never tried it with artwork. My paperbacks I try to be more careful with, but I'm less hearbroken if the corners end up bent or frayed through repeated use. That usually only happens with the books I reread time and again.
Posted by:
Samantha Stoner at 11/06/2009 9:23 AM
When I have a book in my sights I buy it whether it is
hardcover , trade, or mass. What I do not like is to get
the from the library because the hardbacks have that plastic on them. I like the feel of a book and they don't let you touch them. That is also the reason I have been reluctant to buy an e-reader.
Posted by:
LadyTechie at 11/06/2009 9:36 AM
And although it's probably going to bite me in the butt sooner or later, I buy whatever book I want to read when I'm in the bookstore. Price doesn't bother me if I really really want to read the book. But I do look for good deals so I don't feel so guilty when a paycheck disappears in two trip to the bookstore.
Posted by:
Sara M at 11/06/2009 1:19 PM
Posted by:
Jess (The Cozy Reader) at 11/06/2009 1:46 PM
I treat all my book the same - very well. I loaned a series to a co-worker recently and when she returned them they looked like she'd thrown them out the window and run over them with her car. *sigh* Lesson learned.
Posted by:
Patti (@TheLoveJunkee) at 11/06/2009 2:51 PM
Posted by:
Sheila Deeth at 11/06/2009 4:52 PM
Posted by:
Barbara E. at 11/06/2009 6:21 PM
I also request book giftcards for b-days, x-mas, etc.
I do treat my books differently based on the format: hardcovers are only purchased for titles I want to collect(aka its a title I loved)and paperbacks are usually bought used and not abused, but not caressed either, lol. I mark or write in them too, to discuss w/friends.
If a book has amazing artwork/cover design then I'm more likely to take a chance on buying it even if I've never heard of it before at all.
I don't buy paperbacks unless they are the only format available for a title I love, or are cheap at a used bookstore and I want a copy to use for book club and lending out/sharing.
Most of the time I get ALL my books from the library and read them to see what I think before buying.
Posted by:
Anonymous at 11/07/2009 5:40 AM
One pet peeve is when the book becomes a movie/tv series and they change the covers - I almost always like the original better.
I usually donate my books to the library or pass on to my niece if it's YA, unless it's a series - in that case I keep them until it's done and then decide. I only have two people I trust to loan books to.
My big decision now is to buy the actual book or download to Kindle. I have over 70 books on the kindle but if it's something I really like I would rather have the book to reread..I remember where my favorite parts are and I just like holding the actual book. I'm usually pretty good at figuring out which way to buy it but there are a few books on my now kindle that I will buy if they go to paperback. I know kindle has the bookmark and notes feature but it's just not the same.
Karen
Posted by:
Karen at 11/07/2009 7:13 AM
C: I actually like the library binding because it makes me less anxious that I (or my cat) will destroy it. ;-) But I don't like the glossy coating that keeps me from truly appreciating the artwork.
Sara M: Wow, your books must love you! :-)
Jessica: Aw, you're so nice! :-)
Patti: How horrible! I bet she never got to borrow another book of yours again.
Sheila: It took me a while to realize as a kid that no illustrations meant it was a grown-up book. At first I just thought they were being mean. ;-)
Barbara E: I like to wait for the paperback, but often I forget by the time it comes out. Sometimes it's overwhelming how many books are being published every week--impossible to keep up!
2.0 Blog: I love libraries. One year I calculated I checked out so many books, their total cover prices added up to more than what we paid that year in county taxes! So we essentially got free roads and police and stuff. :-)
Karen: Those are really interesting points about the Kindle and ereaders. I don't have one currently, and I don't plan to get one unless I start doing a lot more traveling. And I know what you mean about movie/TV covers--blech!
Posted by:
Jeri at 11/09/2009 9:52 AM
I tend to buy paperbacks. There are exceptions of course (I will SO buy SHADE in hardcover, for the record ;-) but I chew through a lot of books and being able to buy more (and enjoy more) is important to me. That was why I was so excited we were going paperback for my novels--I think it allows more people from different socio-economic backgrounds to enjoy more books.
More books in more hands = more happy readers. But that's just my opinion. ;-)
Posted by:
Anonymous at 11/10/2009 5:27 PM
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