To Bend or not to bend?

To bend or not to bend the spine, that is the question?

Book lovers in my experience fall into two categories, those that bend and those that do not bend spines. I have to confess, I am someone who does not bend the spines on my precious books.

If you work your way along my bookcase you would not know which ones had been read and which ones hadn't. I cannot bear to see a bent spine. It makes me shudder at the thought. I do not lend my books to people due to the added pressure of the poor lender getting the strict instruction not to bend the spine. I did used to lend them to trusted people but after so many times receiving my books back with bent spines, I ceased that malarkey. I have been known on receiving a book back and witnessing the, in my opinion, carnage of destruction, dramatic, I know! that I have been out and bought a new copy, helped by having a discount in the store where I worked.

When did this start?, I am not sure. Maybe when I started working in a book store and seeing all those beautiful, pristine books on the shelves. I have heard all of the reasons for bending spines. Bending spines shows how much you love and have enjoyed the book. How do people know which your favourite book is? Books should be enjoyed.

I love my books and treat them accordingly. Again, rather dramatic but my counter argument is; think of your favourite person in the world, do you bend their spine and damage them?, so that they look physically warn and damaged, no you don't, so why do it to your books?

Whether you are a spine bender or not, each to their own, I do not judge. As long as people are reading, it really doesn't matter. However, if I see someone reading on a train or a coffee shop and they are bending a spine, I will have to move, so they are not in my peripheral vision. I wanted to post a balanced picture of bent spines but I do not have any, haha. Please feel free to post yours.

Happy Reading.

Kirsty

Books by John Irving - all read not a bent spine in sight.