Last time on the blog we talked about e-readers. Now it’s the turn of paperbacks and hardbacks. Specifically problems that can occur with these types of books, and how to deal with them. Not forgetting how to avoid issues in the future, to keep your books in good condition.
Foxing
This is the technical term for pages going yellow or brown. Foxing is caused by incorrect storage. Keeping books in direct sunlight or close to a heat source will result in yellowed pages.
The good news is this is not a problem that will spread to other books. And your books are still readable, if a little less pleasurable. If you can move your bookshelves, or put up a blind, you may be able to stop this happening again.
Faded covers
This is another problem caused by sunlight. We may love a sunny day but our books do not. There is no way to return a faded cover to its former glory.
This problem doesn’t stop you from reading the book. But it you particularly loved the cover, you may want to replace it. And see if you can find a better spot to store the next one.
If you have hardback books with dust jackets, keep the dust jackets on them. OK, you can’t make a home library that looks 150 years-old that way. But you can keep your books safe from fading.
Damaged spines
The most common cause of this issue is leaving the book open, page side down, to keep your place. Invest in the proper equipment. Seriously, bookmarks are not just pretty accessories. Your books will eventually fall apart if you don’t use one.
Another cause of damaged spines is storing your books in a pile instead of on a shelf. If you need an excuse to get cracking on that ‘to be read’ pile, consider this that excuse.
There’s not much you can do if your books already have damaged spines. Any attempt at repair will ruin the look of the cover but you may be able to keep the book in one piece with some carefully placed tape. If the damaged book is a hardback with a dust jacket, you can at least cover up a repaired spine. A repair will extend the life of the book. But you will probably never love it quite as much again.
Scuffed corners
Scuffing occurs when we carry books around in bags, or keep them in a drawer. Books are designed to be portable but will last a shorter time if moved frequently. You can’t undo the scuffing but there is a way to prevent further damage. You can buy – or even make – a book sleeve. This will help keep your books safe while out and about.
A book sleeve doesn’t guarantee an unharmed book but it makes damage a lot less likely. Plus it can be used again and again, making it a guilt-free purchase.
Pages coming loose
Loose pages can be caused by spine damage or simply age. We can’t avoid aging, and neither can our books. If it’s really old, it might be worth taking to a professional book-restorer to see if they can reattach the pages. Otherwise, it will have to be replaced.
Or just read the book with immense care. It’s a skill that those of us who love books have honed. We might as well make the most of it.
Returned dirty or dog-eared
Paper cannot be easily cleaned. Unless the book is old and valuable – in which case you probably wouldn’t have lent it out – it’s not worth paying for professional cleaning.
It’s the same with dog-eared pages. They will never be completely flat again and the corners may tear off if you aren’t careful. There is no fix.
Sadly, all you can do with this problem is learn not to lend to that person again. At least now you know the kind of evil-doer they really are, and can take proper precautions in future.
Water damage
There’s no coming back from this type of accident. Give it up and replace the book. At best, the book will be difficult to read. At worst, it may develop mould. Which will soon spread to the rest of your collection and could make you ill. Your only option is to bin it.
Question of the Week
I still love paperbacks, even if they are a bit higher maintenance than e-books. I’ll be keeping some around for a while yet. How about you? Do you think ebooks will eventually replace physical books completely? Or do you see your books as future heirlooms?
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You might also like: Where the wild books are.
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Deborah Grant-Dudley 