I’ve seen people around the book blogosphere talking about their favorite books (well obviously Kelly, which book lover won’t talk about their favorite books?), saying that the original copy of the book that they first read and loved was special to them, that they can never get rid of it as it has a special place in their heart.
I was a bit surprised when I heard this because for me, it didn’t matter which copy of my favorite book I have, the original copy I used to first read the book or another copy that I’ll eventually have to replace that copy. I am never attached to the original copy of the book I read that will later become one of my favorites; I can replace it with a new copy anytime and never blink an eye if the original copy goes missing. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still be mad about the book going missing because who dares take my books without permission?, but I wouldn’t be overly sad or upset about it. In fact, I usually have so many copies of my favorite books that I don’t know which copy was the original first one that I’ve read. I’m happy as long as I have a copy of my favorite title somewhere in my house and don’t care whether it’s the original copy or a new one.
I guess I’m not a sentimental person.
What do you guys think? Do you always keep the original copy of the book that they first read and loved or are you like me and don’t care as long as you have a copy of the book? I want to know!
Haha I agree with you! That’s why I don’t mind reading ebooks rather than physical books most of the time. It’s the story that really gets to me!
Smitha recently posted…Book Review: ’89 Walls by Katie Pierson
I get what you mean, but I’ll probably won’t give up my City of Bones book because it has a lot of memories for me! I understand your opinion though:)
Kitty recently posted…The Results Are. . . .
Oh, I actually do get attached to my first copies. I can’t explain it! My husband was making fun of me about it the other day – I’ve replaced some favorite paperbacks with new hardcover editions, but I still have the old paperbacks. On the one hand, part of that is so I can give away or loan out the paperback copies (I gave some Stephen Kings to a friend’s daughter who’s just started reading him, for example). On the other hand, I actually find the thought of parting with my first copy of JURASSIC PARK a bit hard to swallow! In fact, I’m craving a reread on that one and the ratty paperback is the one I reach for!
Becky LeJeune recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Reads for the Rest of 2015
I’m more like you haha – I don’t care very much about which copy of the book I have, as long as I have it. I do usually prefer to buy the hardcover version of books I love though just because I like them better. I definitely agree though that no one better try anything funny with my books ;) Lovely post!
Preethi @ Time Turning Reads recently posted…Book & Gelato Pairings – 2015 YA Edition
I agree with you. I don’t put a certain value on a book just because it was my original copy. If I really like a book I will actually often sell my original copy and buy it in a nicer edition! As long as I own the book I am happy. For example, my original copies of the Harry Potter series are the only books I will loan out. I have bought new copies and my old ones are so worn out!
I gave my original copy of Fangirl (one of my favourite books) to my friend for her 18th birthday. It was a huge leap because it did have a huge place in my heart – luckily she ended up loving it as much as I did. I do still miss it sometimes but I have two other copies now so I can still read it whenever I want.
Natalie @ Flowers in my Books recently posted…TTT #12 – Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases.
Love your thoughts on this Kelly :D You are awesome. <3 But hmm. I have never had to worry about this. My copies aren't going anywhere, lol. But it doesn't matter to me which copy I read first. Huh. Well, when I love a book, I need MANY editions. Two hardcovers. One to read, one that shall never be read. Which is important to me. And two paperbacks, And two UK paperbacks. And wanting to own the other languages too. I do this with the books that I love the most :) Not that many, well, pretty many, but still :D That is my obsession, hih. <3
Carina Olsen recently posted…Cress Tuesday #85
I pretty much read ebooks so clearly I am not that sentimental about books (the actual physical thing not the story). I unserstand why people feel like that but I just don’t care as much unless it was signed or something. God post!
Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog recently posted…Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For the Rest of 2015
I’m like you in the sense that as long as I have a copy of the book I’m golden. I usually don’t get rid of my favorite books when I need to make room for new books, because chances are there will be books that I have that I won’t read or I liked but don’t necessarily need to keep.
Meredith @ A Book Lover’s Corner recently posted…Fabled by Vanessa K. Eccles Book Blitz and Giveaway!
I completely agree with on this topic but I’m not giving up my original Harry Potter because that book means the world to me. Also if I have a signed copy of a book I’m keeping it.
On the flip side I hate when publishing companies do the book cover change. Unless it was ugly the first time around leave it alone.
Great post.
Sanovia recently posted…CREATYVEBOOKS REVIEWS: AMBER SMOKE–KRISTIN CAST
I don’t really care about original copies either. One of my favorite books is Grave Mercy. Recently I reread it for the third time and realized that I was actually reading my OWN copy for the first time. I read it originally as an eARC, then as a library ebook, and then finally, I read my own hardcover. So obviously I’d be a little hard-pressed to hold onto my original copy.
The only “original” that I’m sad I don’t have anymore are my Harry Potters, since they’re a relic from my childhood. But they were damaged in a flood so I had to replace them. It’s a little sad, but I got over it because it’s the story that matters anyway.
Bekka recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Anticipated Reads for Late 2015
I generally don’t really care either. I have kept most of the original copies of books, mostly because I like seeing that beaten up edition on my shelf (I think it adds personality). For the most part though, I’ll buy multiple editions of my favorites too – maybe a Kindle ebook and the original paperback and the special edition as well.
Katherine recently posted…Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blankman Review
I’m like you-I definitely don’t have to have the original to be happy. A favorite book is still a favorite book no matter the version. I replace my old favorites all the time if they get really beaten up.
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian recently posted…Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For the Rest of 2015
I’ve never thought about this so much until now, but I keep original copies even if I get new ones. There’s so much sentimental value for me. Granted, I only have like 3/4 dupes of books, but I still keep originals because of different reasons R x
Rachel recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Books I Can’t Wait To Get My Hands On
I don’t really care unless the book has some sort of importance to me. If it’s signed or a collectors edition or some other reason, I don’t really care, I just want to have the book.
Katie @ Book Arrows recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books For The Rest of 2015
I’m the same way! Although with ARCs, if I read a book I really enjoyed (like Fans of the Impossible Life or Because You’ll Never Meet Me) then I want an ARC in addition to whatever copy I have, physical or ebook. But I have no sentimental value over books unless their ARCs or regular favorites in which case, I don’t mind replacing the latter but arcs…..are special to me.
Amber recently posted…Top Ten Thousand Most Anticipated Releases For the Rest of 2015
I’m sentimental about books more than I’d like to be. I’ve recently replaced some of my favorite books with nice hardcover copies, fully intending to donate the old copies to our Little Free Library…but I couldn’t bear to actually do it!
Sierra recently posted…The Heir Inspired Nails // Mani Monday
That confuses me, too. But then again, I’m a freak ‘cuz I pass all my novels along. I read it, and then I pass it to someone else to enjoy. Even if I loved the hell out of it (ESPECIALLY if that’s the case…then I might buy multiple copies and give all of them away).
Beth W recently posted…Gwynnie Bee Review
I try to keep the first edition of the book that I read. If it’s a paperback I’m extra careful and don’t really want to lend it out, but eventually I want to have the hardback (if that’s possible) as well. I don’t mind not having the edition I first read because that is sometimes not really possible. And it really depends on how much I loved it, since I have sort of a scale of favourites, if you know what I mean ;). And I’ve noticed that when I do lend out my favourite book, I miss it tremendously and I keep staring at the empty spot in my bookshelf.
Merel (Lucy) recently posted…Let’s Talk #1 | How I Discovered My Love For Comics
Paperbacks just get so dog-eared and mushy if you hold onto them too long. For years, I held onto my original copy of Catch-22, until I finally gave up and bought a new one, so I could put the old one in the recycling bin (pages were falling out, the cover was long gone, and the end of the book had gotten water damage). If I really love a book that I hold onto the original copy until it dies, I will replace it with a new one with no compunction. That’s why I just ordered a new copy of To Kill a Mockingbird!
Davida Chazan recently posted…Dangerous Reunions
I totally agree! I barely remember whether my books are a first copy or not. I was interested to read this as I haven’t seen it mentioned a lot, though it’s nice to read peoples opinions. Sometimes I’m bothered more on the fact that it’s the first cover design, and it’s been reproduced, so I won’t be able to repurchase it anywhere. Other than that I’m not so fussy on sentimental value of books. Great post!
Caitlin recently posted…Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For The Rest of 2015
I guess I can say I am kind of specific when it comes to by editions of books? I don’t know, I like to have my covers uniform but when it comes to the form of the book (Paperback or Hardcover) I honestly don’t care. But when it comes to “original copy” I don’t care which one I read. Some of the books I have read as library books and I don’t mind that. My favorite book is a book I read from the library and I don’t really care that I don’t have the exact copy I read.
~Kaitlin
Kaitlin @ Next Page Please! recently posted…Event Recap: Bay Book Fest
I agree with you. I am not as sentimental as others. As long as I have a copy of my favorite book, I don’t necessarily care where I got it. I guess the main reason I may get sentimental over certain book copies is if it was a special gift or something. I do have a book my now husband gave me on our first date and he made a note to me in it. Yeah, I will not be getting rid of that one. :)
Cynthia recently posted…BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson
Well I do tend to be sentimental about things…but when it comes to books I don’t mind getting a new copy. But there are special ones that are personalized and or gifted to me.
I can imagine that in some situations you might be sad about it. Let’s say it’s a copy of a book that is passed down through your family line, that’s not something you can replace easily. Or if it’s signed to you, because a book like that holds more value to me. When it comes to ordinary books, I don’t mind if it’s my old version or a new one.
Mel@thedailyprophecy recently posted…Review 230. Danielle L. Jensen – Hidden Huntress.
Kelly, I’m right there with you. I don’t understand how an exact copy – unless it’s a first edition, signed, etc. – can be so coveted. Or when people have multiple copies of the same book/series. That gets expensive! I’d rather spend that money on more books. :) My only thing about a particular copy is if I have made notes in it. For one of my teaching classes, we were required to read The Hunger Games (before the movie) and had to use it to create entire units of lesson plans across curricula for an entire semester. We worked in rotating groups with others, and created new units. I loaned my copy to a friend who went home every weekend – and she loaned it out to somebody else who wouldn’t give it back. I asked and asked her for months to get it back from whomever she loaned it to (without my permission) and she finally fessed up to what happened. I was livid. All of my reading notes and my teaching notes were in that book to accompany my school work. If I’ve made notes in it, then it becomes a special copy to me.
I think I would care about SIGNED copies, especially if they have personal messages. However, my first copy? I’m with you, I don’t really care. In fact, my first copy is usually torn up so I want another copy. Like my PB edition of Divergent? Ugh, it bothers me because the edges are torn and It stands besides my HC of the others.
Nova @ Out of Time recently posted…My/Blog Birthday Post (+ GIVEAWAY!)
I don’t care so much about the edition of the book as much as the cover. I would be sad if I lost a specific copy if that cover was no longer available or if it was signed, but identical looking copies don’t bother me, and I’ve replaced some of my favorite series since they’ve become so worn out by me reading them!
Cristina @ Girl in the Pages recently posted…Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen | Review
It really depends on the book for me. I still have my original copy of The Outsiders, and even though it’s falling apart. it is far too precious for me to get rid of. I replaced the copy, but I had to replace it with the same edition. Similarly, the first copy I read of The Beginning of Everything was an ARC, and even though I’ve since purchased the book, I refuse to get rid of the ARC. I just can’t bring myself to.
On the other hand, I was going through my books today to weed some out, and I finally convinced myself to let go of my original copies of Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door, since I had purchased autographed versions that match the cover for Isla. It’s definitely on a book-by-book basis for me.
For the most part, I do not consider myself an overly-sentimental person. Sure, there are books that I want to hold on to because I want to share them with my future child, but I guess I wouldn’t be so devastated if they somehow disappeared and I had to buy another copy of them. Then, I wondered what would happen if I lost my original Harry Potter books. At first I thought I would be utterly crushed, and then I realized that I lost my original Chamber of Secrets during my last move and I didn’t feel as shattered as I expected. It’s the story between the pages that is the important part to me, not the tangible object, the book.
Jackie recently posted…Fairy Tales and Tea
I can see where they are coming from. I mean, sometimes it’s the fact that you read that special book that makes a difference. Imagine having that exact copy in about 50 years from now, yellowed pages and all. It will have sentimental value then. But personally, I also understand that it doesn’t really matter which particular copy of a book you have. It is the story in particular that matters.
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