Thankfully not Rob, but the spine of a 2nd-hand paperback I picked up at the weekend – which, when I think about it, is almost just as bad.
You see I’m one of these obsessive readers who doesn’t like to get a single crease on the spine of his paperbacks *shivers at the thought*. I’d rather sit through the reading of a book with it only being three-quarters open (well actually that figure is maybe closer to four-fifths 
), rather than risk a dreaded spinal injury. Am I really that obsessive about keeping my books pristine? Sigh, yeah I’m afraid I am!
Actually there’s an additional technique I employ to further safeguard against paperback spinal injury (I know a lot of you fellow obsessives will also employ a similar technique, so no knocking me right? ). It involves placing the hands flat on the cover (left hand – front cover, right hand – back cover) with the fingers as close to the spine as possible. Then, with the hands remaining flat on the covers, one bends the fingers back at their tips. while opening the book with the thumbs (think of the hands in a praying postion but with the palms apart and the thumbs positioned to keep the book open). In using this technique, what you are doing in effect is creating a virtual spine without having to interfere with the real one. Clever stuff eh? Yeah I know, not really.
Anyway that’s the convoluted, drawn-out way that I keep my paperbacks looking good, and I’m confident that none of the books that begin their life in pristine condition with me, will ever end up looking as bad as this example.
That brings me nicely to the matter of what the mystery book I present in this shot actually is. I was going to reveal it outright, but I thought I’d open it up to my eagle-eyed readers as a little competition:
So the first UK-based person (sorry postal charges and all that), to email me the correct title of the book, will bag themselves one of the other 2nd-hand paperbacks I picked up at the weekend – Chris Cleave’s The Other Hand (Sceptre) (don’t worry, this one is still in pristine condition ).
About Rob
I’m pretty anal about breaking the spine too. Although, I try to relax about it if they are books I’m going to lend because I really want other people to read.
My most horrific and traumatizing story was in a class a couple years ago. The professor asked to use my book because he forgot his and then proceeded to flatten it out on his desk. I screamed pretty loud internally at that moment. I don’t know what my face looked like at that moment, but it took everything I had not to FREAK out!
says:
Ouch Lauren, I physically winced when I read about Professor Spinebreaker. How long where you in therapy?
Thanks for the story (regardless of how horrifying it was)
Warmest
Rob
I’m being quite careful too, but it’s impossible not to damage certain very large paperback books (like 2666). There are in ok condition after reading, but clearly not new anymore.
Same as Laza, I’m trying to contain myself when I lend a book. It’s hard. It’s really hard.
says:
Ohh I agree Nick. With some books one can’t help but damage them. One that springs to mind for me is William Trevor: The Collected Stories (although Penguin have recently published a 2-part hardback edition). But even when knowing that one could never keep the spine in immaculate condition, one still likes to keep trying.
Well done for keeping your copy of 2666 in such good condition though. That’s a real achievement given its size.
Warmest
Rob
Rob, I actually read EXACTLY like you! Which is why I get this A LOT: Have your books ever been read??
says:
Claire,
), I could say ‘great minds think alike’. But only one of us has a great mind i.e. you. Therefore it must just be coincidence 
Regardless, I applaud for being a Keeper of the Spine (and a top notch one too given the comments people pass at you).
Nice to hear from you. Happy New Year!
Well with regards to both of us using the same ‘prayer’ method of reading (a naff name but I can’t come up with anything better
Warmest
Rob