I really like the recent trend in publishing of special edition hardcovers, so I now buy those special editions when there's one of a book I really liked. This resulted in having some books twice, since I already owned the paperback and now the hardcover too. I also want to free up some space on my shelves by getting rid of unwanted books, and taking those paperbacks off the shelves frees up a lot of space for new books. But I'm a little conflicted about getting rid of them. On one hand, it's pretty useless to own two of the same book, especially since the text is exactly the same (the special edition usually even has some more content). On the other hand, it just feels wrong. It feels like a waste of money that I bought those paperbacks, only read them once, and already get rid of them, while I might want to reread them, and some sentimental part of me doesn't want to throw out those books that gave me so many happy memories, even though I have a replacement (that's way prettier too). But as you can see, those are all emotional arguments, while the most logical choice is to leave them off the shelves. The only 'logical' reason I can think of to keep them is that I might want to lent the books to someone else or let my future children read them or something, and I don't want to risk the special editions to get dirty or damaged. But even then, books are meant to be read, not to sit on a shelf and look pretty, even if they're special editions.
In conclusion, I need someone to convince my emotional brain why I shouldn't/should get rid of these books.
So I was wondering how everyone else does this. Do you keep both editions on your shelves? Do you keep the cheaper one in storage? Or does the cheaper edition get thrown out? And why/why not?
*Whenever I say 'get rid of' or 'thrown out', I mean getting donating them to a second-hand bookstore or selling them myself. No books were harmed in the making of this post.
by MaraMontenero
10 Comments
Yea I do have a few books that I have different editions of. I probably have 3-4 different versions of each of the Dark Tower series.
Why put wear and tear on the nice one when you have a disposable paperback? I have a badass hard cover Lord of the Rings that I’ve never read because I don’t want to mess up the nice one.
I sometimes have a couple editions / translations of my favourite novels. I then use them to give to people who I think might enjoy the author or book and make use of them after I’ve decided which edition I like most.
I only keep one physical copy of a book + an epub version. Whenever I lend a book to someone, I assume I’m never getting the book back so I don’t lend my special edition books. Remember you can always buy a paperback version to give to someone as a gift if you want them to read it. (I have bought 4+ copies of some books that way because I keep giving them away as gifts. And that way you don’t clutter your own shelves with multiple copies).
The only book I have more than 1 copy for is Ulysses, since there are two different versions of the text, and people still debate which one is more definitive
I do, but only because I’m at a point in my life where I have adequate space and am not moving from one housing situation to another on a semi-regular basis.
If you have room, you could box and keep the paperback versions to give out as gifts! Instead of lending it out, you just give them the paperback. Then you know your book is going to a good home.
yes, but it’s not intentional, I forget what I pre-ordered, preorders don’t ship on time, and boom, I bought the book elsewhere…
Comes up every time this topic is posed. Collecting books and reading books are two different hobbies. As long as it is financially reasonable and you have the space, buy and keep as many books as make you happy.
Only for a few books that I really love. Usually it’s because I started with a MMP and then later found a good condition hardcover but can’t bear to get rid of the MMP. It just feels wrong lol.