Kevin's Watch

Hey everyone,

I am hyped about the Last Chronicles and am about to re-read the first and second chronicles to bring myself back up to speed. But I have a dilemma.

My copies of the 1st/2nd chronicles have sat unsullied on my bookshelf for about 11 years now. I don't want to damage them by re-reading, but I have to ask myself why I still have them if I am not going to use them? They aren't special editions or anything - just paperbacks with typical covers.

I could go and buy a second copy of each and re-read the copy, but it would bug me to know that I have a perfectly good set, all ready for re-reading, just sitting on the shelf!

Has anybody re-read their own copies and regretted it due to damaging them, or something? Am I being silly or too uptight? Should I get a clue?

Thanks
Tim

Short answer: you're too uptight.

Seriously, I keep a few second-hand copies of each book around precisely for re-reading. I can get them el cheapo at my local used bookstore, so it's a no-brainer.

Indeed, the copy of The One Tree that I've been using for the Dissection forum has just fallen apart from, er, intensive research...so onto my backup copy, heh heh.

Nope! I haven't regretting rereading my copies of TCTC. I am easy on paperbacks, and don't break spines, but I would hate to have an unused book sitting forlornly on a shelf when it's been made for the purpose of being read. Think of any nicks the books get through reading as "character."

Wearing out a book is the best compliment you can pay it. If it was a really nice hard cover or <drool, slobber> a reviewers galley, then your scruples would be appropriate.

Of course, if you're just looking for an excuse to buy the re-releases, then I say buy away. Keep the publishing slobs in business, and support the author!

timbley, you arent alone. I bought a full set of the Gap series in hardback from a seller on ebay. These books have never been read and are sealed in plastic. However I bought them to READ not to sit on the shelf looking plastic covered. My hands shake when I reach for one to open. Frankly Matrixman is right. I can run to well over a dozen used book stores in my area and grab some dusty dog eared paper backs and enjoy SRD's work anew but there is a voice in my head saying "Hey Tom! Open the bloody hardbacks!"

Edit.

Okay, I'm convinced... I'm going to re-read my cherished copies. I'm sure they will feel the love as I splatter soup from my lunch on them!

Glad to hear that nobody really regrets re-reading their copies. I collect computer stuff and once sold a system I thought I no longer needed, and have been trying for 10 years to get another one!! Just wanted to make sure I wasn't making the same mistake with my beloved TCTC...

Thanks again!
Tim

Not only are my paperback copies well-tamed (some are festooned with Post-it tape flags, marking passages potentially useful for critical-articles-in-progress), but I have two copies of some volumes. I'm not a very orderly domestic-librarian, and at least once I've bought another used copy rather than delay my research by searching for an existing volume I couldn't put my hand on quickly.

My hardback WGW is minus a dust jacket because the cats got at it once upon a time.

My original paperbacks look absolutely awful, with soda stains and torn pages - I wasn't (always) careless, that's just what happens when your a kid reading a book for the 4th time.

I bought the SFBC omnibus editions of both chronicles, complete with their awful covers (dlb's harping on covers again!) That's what I read now and loan to friends.