Do you 'crack the spine'?

[sdietrich]

I hate this as well! It's honestly one of the reasons I prefer to buy hard cover books, as opposed to paperbacks. I always have to make sure I'm careful not to crease the spine when I have to have paperback books; with hard cover books, I have less fear of this because there's not really anything to crease. I am always hesitant to lend people my books because of the many rules I have with them! But, creasing the spine is one of the things that makes me the most nervous about ending out my paperback books!

[Kiki7138]

Definitely not, sometimes I would pass on a book at the library if the spine was too damaged.

[OutofOrange]

I remember back in the day, of having very little money but I would purchase books as gifts. Usually they would be for a like minded readers so I would often be buying them a book that I really wanted to read myself. So sometimes I would read the book first. I quickly developed a technique of having absolutely pristinely clean hands and only opening the book at a what,, 30 to 35 degree angle to be able to read it and keep it in brand-new condition.

Goodness, I have not thought about that in years. I could never do that now, given deterioration of eyesight and arthritic hands. But I do remember many times of holding a book like it was gold or mercury or, I dunno almost gossamer, and feeling guilty for reading it first, because I was always aware of the the thrill of a new book. It was rare (kinda still is) that I would get the opportunity to read a new book that nobody had opened, never mind cracked the spine of. So I kind of feel guilty for doing that.

Dangling participles aside, to answer the OPs question, Yes, I crack spines nowadays. Mainly because it is just easier for these broken hands to manipulate the pages. (FWIW, I am not that old, I just got ferflathered with stupid RA. Makes everything hurty.

[Wolfsbane Creations]

I try not to

[ttuso22]

Oh this is the very reason I try my hardest not to loan others my books. I loathe when people "crack the spine" or bend pages in any way or perhaps rip the cover page if it is paperback. Let's just say it tests my patience.

[autumnmarie]

Guilty as charged I guess it's something that I've done from a young age and if I'm reading a new book it just helps "loosen" the book up as I generally like to fold my book over. If I'm reading a used book or library rental I generally don't though.

[Tardipug]

If I do "crack the spine" I usually cover my books with a book cover printed with the cover design. Gives me ease of mind. Somewhat...

[CrescentMoon]

This is one of the reasons I hate lending out books to people. I feel like many people are so careless with my books that they crack the spine and write and dog ear pages. I try to be as careful as I can with my books. I like keeping them intact.

[Lovely_Ink]

I cringe whenever someone cracks the spine of a book. It is one of my biggest pet peeves. I won't even loan books to people who I think will in nah way damage the pristine condition of my books.

[GeonnaMarie]

I try to keep my books in as perfect condition as I can, but I have been guilty of cracking the spine before. I hate loaning books to my mom as well. She destroys them.

[readinginreview4]

Usually not, unless it's hard to read otherwise. I do usually if it's at school, but I try not to. I like when books look new!

[amansmith]

I do not crack the spine of my book and if I saw someone doing that I would probably have a conniption fit. I realize people have their own way of taking care of books, but come on...

[mri42491]

I will never do it on purpose. I like my books to always look brand new and never read (even though they have been.) It's very difficult for me to lend my books out. I either a)never see them again or b)they come back in an extremely used condition. How annoying!

[LittleWilma]

I don't do it purposefully, but I am extra careful if I read any of my husband's books. He is pretty particular. I don't even lick my fingers to turn the pages anymore. When we got married, I got the full education about the proper way to handle a comic book.

[amen jamir]

Ouch! I cracked most of mine...but I am extra careful with books which doesn't belong to me. Now I sound like a cruel owner.