Book Covers, Take off or leave on.
By Kowgirl
@Kowgirl (3490)
United States
December 31, 2007 1:52pm CST
I have a male friend who always takes the book covers off
every book he buys. He says it is just there to keep the books
clean while in the stores. I had never really thought about that
but the covers do sometimes get in the way when you are reading
the book, especially if it is a large book.
I have also noticed that there are NO covers on the Bibles in these
stores, and I wondered why? Do you leave the covers on your books or
do you take them off?
5 people like this
19 responses
@patgalca (18174)
• Orangeville, Ontario
1 Jan 08
I never take the cover off the books I read. The cover of the book is part of what attracts me to it, that draws me to read it. Occasionally the cover may get in the way but I have never been known to take the cover off and then put it on again when I am done. Seeing the book sitting there without the cover on it does not draw me to it to read.
I bought a cookbook for my sister for Christmas. It had a lovely cover on it. Stupidly I put the book in my cupboard and ended out piling other gifts on top of it. When I took it out to wrap it there was a little tear in the cover. There was absolutely nothing I could do about it but give it to her as is. Being a cookbook that could get splattered with food and well worn, she may take the cover off anyway. (By the way, she told my other sister that she wanted this type of cookbook so it was a desireable item).
1 person likes this
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
1 Jan 08
I don't think they keep books clean. Reason I say this is that I have tons of books on my bookshelf and all of them gets dusty, even the ones with covers. For me only the tops of the books gets dusty. I like everyone that has responded, I take the cover off before I read, only because I don't want the cover to get messed up. Covers on books make the book look more presentable in my opinion. I will more likely buy a covered book than one without and a paperback.
1 person likes this
@paidreader (5143)
• United States
1 Jan 08
When I get a book with a book cover on it, I usually take it off while I'm reading it, then put it back on to put it back on the bookshelf or if I'm going to leave it out for a while. It can do alot to protect your book from dust and accidental spills, so they're good to hold onto.
If you ever decide to sell your books, they seem to be a bit more valuable if you have a book cover and it (and the book) are in good condition .
@glitzypurple (1477)
• Philippines
1 Jan 08
I'm a book lover yet I haven't really paid attention to the book covers. I'm so surprised that there's a person who takes it off. I don't take it off, I just leave it there because it doesn't really get in my way of reading.
1 person likes this
@Angelwriter (1954)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I take them off. They're a complete hassle and they interfere with my reading. Sometimes the paper covers have the exact same design as the front of the books, so they seem doubly pointless.
1 person likes this
@dopey22girl (3319)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I take them off when I am reading them because they do get in the wya, but I don't throw them out. I always put them back on when I'm done reading the book.
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I take the book covers off when I am reading a book - but then replace the book cover when the book goes back on the shelf. though if it is a really old book and the book cover is equally as old and the paper quite thinned with age, it does not seem to bother me being on the book - it is only the newer crispy and sharp covers that bug me.
1 person likes this
@CoffeeAnyone (3210)
• Canada
1 Jan 08
I love book covers but they get in the way sometimes. They are always falling off. Sometimes I remove them while reading and put it back on when I am done. I just hate it when or if my book covers get all messed up and don't look nice anymore. I have never totally saw the point of them except sometimes the book itself is really ugly and I think they should just make the book nice and forget the cover. All in all I really love the cover of my books and want to keep them looking like new.
1 person likes this
@PunkyMcPunk (1477)
• Canada
31 Dec 07
I a voracious reader hadn't thought about my habit regarding book covers. I take them right off. I file them away and when I am done the book I put the cover back on and file it away on the shelf. I cover does really get in the way and okay well it's all about asthetics really... I mean I take the cover off so it stays mint and pristine no rips or spills or folds. I take my books everywhere. They go to work with me, they go home with me. I take them everywhere until i am done reading them so if any harm should befall them once I am finished with the book itself the beautiful brand new looking cover goes back on it and it looks as though it hasn't been read yet Voila asthetically pleasing again! lol
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
31 Dec 07
Like everyone else here, I take it off when reading, but when I am finished with the book, I put it back on. Plus I use the cover as a giant bookmark..;)
@houndsgood (774)
• United States
31 Dec 07
If you notice, Bibles usually have a more substantial cover such as leather or a textured synthetic cover and they can withstand a lot of handling. Some Bibles do have a cover, but not many. Also, customers don't need to read exerpts or one liner reviews from critics and other writers to entice them to buy a Bible. Dust covers also serve more than to protect a book. A publisher can easily and more cheaply change the look of a dustcover and replace it on in stock books if a book is not selling or they want to use other artwork where it would be very costly to reprint the whole book from scratch. Also, the longer a book is out - they may want to add how many weeks it was on the best seller list, etc.
For regular books, I would opt to keep them on. If i were worried about soiling the cover, i would take it off while reading and replace it.
If your friend throws out the covers, the books will have no value to a collector id they become collectible later and also some used books stores sometimes pass over books without their covers too. In particular, if its a best seller that they get by the dozens. They aren't going to buy that copy as they want the best condition possible. If its a rare book, maybe they will take it.
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
1 Jan 08
I generally take the dust jacket off and store it in a safe place, especially if the book is a first edition. As a second-hand bookseller, I know that a mint dust jacket immensely increases the book's value in later years, so I am making an investment for the future if I (or my heirs) want to sell the book.
@SViswan (12051)
• India
2 Jan 08
I usually leave the book covers on unless they get in the way of reading and then I remove them till I finish the book. Then I put it back again. Sometimes, I take the covers off if the picture on the cover and the book are the same....but that isn't the case always...and then I leave them on.
@dfollin (24167)
• United States
1 Jan 08
I have never really thought about it.I like the covers because sometimes they have other stuff,like about the author and such on them.If the cover gets in the way with my reading I will take it off,otherwise I just leave them on.
@mrsjbelle (1640)
• United States
1 Jan 08
I leave the cover on unless it is bothering me. I dont think Ive ever taken a cover off though that I can remember. Most bibles have a thick natural cover so dont need an extra one but Ive seen Bibles with covers.