I came to a similar realization recently. I used to care so much about how pristine my books looked and then I realized that some of my favorite books I have found in used bookstores are ones which are written all over and have a well-worn feel to them. I now annotate all my books with pencil and also write my name in them. I love seeing a history of who's owned a given book when I open the front cover and see a name and phone number.
That's sure can't be true for "modern" (as in 1960s+) books? Bookstores normally allow to look inside hardcovers without being instructed on proper handling first
If you can find a book with a sewn binding (or better a pair, as-yet unopened), if you open one per the instructions, then open the other haphazardly as one reads it, you will find that over time, the book which was not opened with care will develop a directionality to its binding causing it to be cocked, while the other, so long as it is read carefully will remain square.
Typical glued texts are more prone to this, but depending on the state of the glue, may go back so square if pressed when square to correct.
Would definitely try next time I buy a hardcover :) But I think this first opening rule must be some US quirk. I only see US sources for it on internet, and can't find German or Russian one
prydt · · focus · HN ↗
jimnotgym · · focus · HN ↗
WillAdams · · focus · HN ↗
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/lifehacks/comments/7sry7v/open_a_hard_cover_book_without_breaking_the_spine/" rel="nofollow">https://www.reddit.com/r/lifehacks/comments/7sry7v/open_a_ha...
(which was a lesson in 2nd grade, when we got our first-ever hardcover textbooks)
egormakarov · · focus · HN ↗
WillAdams · · focus · HN ↗
Typical glued texts are more prone to this, but depending on the state of the glue, may go back so square if pressed when square to correct.
egormakarov · · focus · HN ↗
WillAdams · · focus · HN ↗