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Although people tend to say “Don’t judge a book by its cover” a lot, it really is difficult to erase or change a person’s first impression. This is especially true for books, which is the source of the popular quote. Book covers do more than just protect the pages from the element; in some ways people judge the quality of writing that’s embedded in the pages simply by looking at the cover alone.
If you see thick leather bound books or hard bound books, you’d immediately think that the book contains important literature. It can also mean that the book is a classic or that it’s a rare title. However, books can be very deceiving. Place a grand hardbound cover on a smutty piece of literature and some people might even mistake it for a classic.
This is the reason why most book aficionados have been very vocal against reprinting classics and other important pieces of literature into paperback versions. They say that this lessens the value of the piece itself and is an insult to the author that created it. Truly, most people would rather see classics wrapped in thick jackets made of leather or hard wood, with golden or deep red embellishments to add to the effect.
However, people tend to forget that what’s important is the story or the information that lies within the pages. The lessons and knowledge that come from reading does not necessarily diminish whether they are read from a paperback or a hardbound book. Truthfully, some people might prefer paperbacks because they are easier to carry and to read on the go.
Another factor to consider is the cost. Paperback novels are extremely affordable while hardbound books are pricey. Despite what some avid reading fanatics might say, the reprinting of classics on paperback has helped people of the younger generation feel more comfortable with reading. A university student in need of a piece to do a book report on would most likely stay away from thick hardbound novels thinking it might be complicated. However, with the introduction of paperback books, classic literature is not as intimidating as it used to be, and has actually encouraged more people to have a go at reading them.
People who do prefer their hardbound and leather bound books need not worry. Although more people are opting for paperbacks, there are a lot of places to look for classics in their truest form. Aside from yard sales and book auctions, there are sites online which sell rare and antique books by the thousands. So it’s still okay to leave the paperback versions for the recreational reader while people who love collecting books can still find hardbound versions of their favorite pieces – complete with artsy lettering, masterfully crafted and colorful book covers, and the smell of crisp book pages.
Moreover, collectors would go for classicrarebooks by leather bound books or hardbound books because they are aesthetically pleasing and complement the grand oak bookcase they’re lined up in.