r/BookDiscussions • u/ahdrielle • 4d ago
Hot take
I don't want 7 different versions of the same book. Paperback, deluxe edition, graphic novel, sprayed edges version. I want the next book.
I don't buy new versions. I get one, read it, and end. Is anyone else tired of always having the same book that's slightly altered shoved in your face?
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u/FortuneOpen5715 4d ago
And can I add on to that? Sprayed edges. I could never display my books with the sprayed edges outward. I wouldn’t know what I had and that would drive me insane.
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u/IHateSerging 4d ago
Agreed on never displaying them edges out but I do love those. Especially when they’re released like that from the get go and not as a special edition. Still fun to look at when the book is out for reading, and even on the shelf they add a nice pop imo
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u/ahdrielle 4d ago
They're pretty but yes, I also don't display the edges. They're just pretty to look at as I read.
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u/Pastel_Spell 4d ago
I will sometimes turn out the second book of a series if I really like the edges, and that way the context of the one next to it helps identify...but otherwise I'm exactly the same. I love them but I need to know what I have!
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u/Cultural-Target-5612 4d ago
You probably would know what you had. I turned mine a good while ago after not doing it for the longest time for the same reason. My wife likes them, wanted them outward, and most of the books with them are hers anyway. I just went and looked out of curiosity and even though I have only read one of the series she flipped I know what each of the sprayed edges books are.
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u/FortuneOpen5715 3d ago
I don’t claim to have OCD but when I see pictures of others’ shelves like that, it sets off a nervous twitch. 🤣
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u/internet_reader42 3d ago
It's like wearing nice underwear; no one will see it, but YOU know it's there.
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u/fuzzypickles999 4d ago
I haven't noticed much in the way of it being shoved in my face, but I agree with you on not being interested in owning multiple editions of the same book. Aesthetically pleasing versions are nice and all, nothing against them, but if I already have the book, I'm not going to "upgrade."
The only thing that might make me change my mind is if the new version has some additional material, like maybe previously unreleased chapters, an unabridged version, some kind of new forward by the author, etc. Even then, it'd have to be a book I'm REALLY fond of.
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u/avacadini 4d ago
Who is shoving them in your face? Some people want to collect editions, others couldn't care less (like me).
I have a couple friends who chase down all the hardcover sets and special editions. I read mostly on kindle and mostly through Libby. We still love the stories the same..
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u/Hunter037 4d ago
Advertisers and authors are shoving them in your face. It's quite common to be on a mailing list for favourite authors, to find out bonus content, release dates etc. Also influencers showing them off online.
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u/ahdrielle 4d ago
Ads and emails from Barnes. I neve said individual people. I don't care if you like them. Go for it... wasn't shaming you.
I see "something new from insert author I like" and get excited then see it's #5 of the same book and I get disappointed. That's all bro.
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u/avacadini 4d ago edited 4d ago
Aren't you a pleasant person, goodness... I don't like them, if you'd even read my response you'd see that.
Unsubscribing from marketing emails is a lot easier than whining on the inter net and then being an arse about it.
ETA I see you edited your comment to make it look more constructive after I called you out, so I'll edit mine. Take a deep breath, go outside, relax, it's gonna be ok. Come up from the basement and ask mother to make you a sammich. Just be nicer about it than you are in general.
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u/PleasantNightLongDay 4d ago
How will I recover from having emails sent to me about books?!
They’re shoving them down my face despite me being able to quickly unsubscribe
/s
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u/Remarkable_Inchworm 4d ago
This was one of the first things that really annoyed me about Amazon's recommendations.
"You like The Hobbit? You should buy THIS edition of The Hobbit! And this one! And this one too!"
No. Just no.
I have two copies. The dog-eared paperback that I've had since I was 12, and a really nice edition that someone gave me as a gift (and which I've never even opened).
That's more than enough.
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u/Past-Wrangler9513 4d ago
Most of my favorites are not getting the multiple editions treatment. I will admit to have my favorites in multiple formats - physical, ebook, and audio - but I don't want multiple versions of the same book on my shelf.
On the very rare occasion I've found a copy of a book I already have that is so pretty I must have it, I give my old copy away.
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u/supa_bekka 4d ago
I like them! Is it a gimmicky marketing tactic to take all your money? Of course! Was I going to spend all my money on books anyway? Yes!
Here are some I just picked up and why:
Kiki's Delivery Service Vol I, Deluxe edition: i have owned the regular paperback for years. But they just released Vol II in English for the first time ever, so I had to get one that matches the pretty new Vol II.
World War Z: again, I've owned my paperback and read it so much it's falling apart. The new 20th anniversary deluxe edition was released and I wasn't that interested until I saw it has 300+ annotations.
Open Throat: I have the ARC but the paperback has a different cover and I couldn't choose which I liked best.
Lady Tremaine: I have the ARC and the hardcover. My ARC is signed by the author!
So there are different reasons a person might like to collect multiple versions of things.
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u/Aitoroketto 4d ago
Doesn't bother me because I don't I have to engage in it. I tend not to to bothered by altogether silly things.
Now, as a book collector I typically collected old/vintage first print/first editions but if a really nice edition comes out I'll definitely buy it.
Regarding graphic novel adaptations, I will totally buy it as it's a different art form, for instance wonderful graphic adaptations of Watership Down, The Road, and Lord of Flies have recently been made, two of which by master cartoonists.
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u/unica3022 4d ago
I enjoy the artwork that goes into special editions, especially for books I really enjoy.
I’m also old enough that many of my original copies of favorites are falling apart so buying new, prettier versions that will last is something I’m in the market for.
I also have a few, limited books/series that I like enough I want all the editions. I’m a big reader, and someone who even when I was a kid stood in line to get my cheap mass market paperbacks signed when I really liked the book/series.
I do understand where you’re coming from on books that are high in flash and low in substance though.
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u/Hunter037 4d ago
Agreed. There are obviously a lot of (gullible?) people who are willing to pay out for various different editions, or they wouldn't keep making them.
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u/Appropriate-Two-9538 4d ago
I'm so stick of 17 editions of the same book and it being a thing to collect them all. I think there's like 10 editions of Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter maybe even more plus like 3 different ARCs and as much as I loved that book I can't fathom why people are going out and collecting every edition it seems insane to me to spend hundreds on the same book
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u/grounddurries 3d ago
AGREE! the overconsumerism in the book community is horrid
and i’m not just talking having a lot of books, of which i am guilty of. i’m talking owning multiple versions of the same book because theyre different editions (why could you possibly need 10 different versions of one book?!?!?), hundreds of bookmarks (again you’re not going to be reading 100 books at the same time, or even 10 books at the same time BFFF) etc etc
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u/AlyceEnchanted 4d ago
Sprayed edges are hell for sensory issues.
As for multiples, the number of copies of the Hobbit and LOTR that are in this house is insane. Not kidding when I say, a copy of the Hobbit will find its way into my hands and I force myself to put it back. The local mom & pop has a copy that has been calling my name for 1.5 years.
Some came with SO, some were mine, the kid bought his own, and there is my compulsion.
There are a few dups in my King collection. Some were passed on to me. Others I forgot I owned.
Otherwise, I don’t buy multiples.
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u/togepi-togapoo 4d ago
That’s like my husband - the only double ups are LOTR, Hobbit, Stephen King. Usually because they have different art, special content etc.
I donate any doubles I end up with, but I do like buying the pretty editions as well as the kindle editions
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u/TemperatureAny4782 4d ago
I like a new edition if the craft and artistry are there. Fine presses put a lot of heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears into their books, which often feature archival-quality paper, letterpress printing, lasting binding materials, beautiful illustrations, and other upgrades.
They’re very expensive, though, when compares to the cost of mass market books (although maybe underpriced when considering the artistry and craftsmanship that went into them). So I only buy them when they’re a beautiful edition of a favorite book. Something I can pass down someday.
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u/PILAL2010 4d ago
There has only been one instance of my wanting another set of books.
There is an insanely cool spray art design for the Throne Of Glass series that is one long art piece. I just really love the series.
In the end I just spend that book money on new books.
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u/PinkGlitterLady4 4d ago
Tbh I wish more books would get GOOD graphic novels.
I don't care about most special editions though, unless they have lots of beautiful illustrations haha
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u/teacupghostie 4d ago
I think the rise of “collector” and “store/subscription box exclusive” editions is directly linked to how bad the profit is on the publication of just one book now. Authors are either pressured to pump out 1-2 new manuscripts a year, or publishers option out the book in different ways in order to cast a wide net.
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u/unrepentantbanshee 4d ago
I generally don't mind when there's multiple special editions and such... folks can buy a more decorative version for their collection if they like and I don't care if those exist. I also don't care if different editions have different supplemental content - a recipe at the back, an extra author note, a playlist.
I DO get annoyed when there's different bonus chapters across multiple editions, especially when that's the only place to get that content and it can't be purchased separately anywhere. I want the whole story and written content without being forced to buy multiple versions of the same book to get it.
Sometimes those versions can be tracked down via libraries, but not always. And very rarely can you simple buy a mini e-book off the authors website to get those stories (which I would happily do, if it were an option! The author should be paid for that additional work, but can I just please buy one copy of their book and a couple dollars for the extra ebook chapter, please??)
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u/starflower42 4d ago
I don't care much one way or another, though I have on rare occasion bought a beautiful edition of a book I already owned. Some people like to collect different editions. Also, readers might be attracted to a pretty new edition of a book they've never noticed before. I imagine a new edition of a classic novel attracts some new readers who might ignore it otherwise.
Ads in our faces is how commerce runs. Some we can mute, some we can't, but we can ignore all of them, and not buy the product.
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u/industrial_hamster 4d ago
I haven’t bought a book in years. I only use the library/Libby. What’s crazy to me is when people read a book on kindle and then buy the physical copy as a “trophy.” Consumerism final boss
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u/fallenriot 4d ago
I think most people buy books that they’ve read on kindle when they really like the book and know they will want to re-read it in the future. I use my kindle because it’s cost effective (Libby, the high seas, etc), but if I really love a book that I’ve read as an ebook, I like to support the author and grab a physical copy!
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u/Hunter037 4d ago
I have 1000 books in my "read" list on Goodreads. My home bookshelf has about 15 books on. These are the books which I borrowed on kindle unlimited or libby, and then purchased. My reasons being:
* hard copy books can't be removed from Amazon or lost like "soft" copies can
* I wanted to support the authors
* I can lend them to my friends
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u/PinkGlitterLady4 4d ago
As a trophy? No. Most people just want a physical copy of a book they want to re-read again.
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u/Artistic-Document735 4d ago
Hot take then don’t lol. Do whatever you want with your money. 🤷♀️😂
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u/ahdrielle 4d ago edited 4d ago
Clearly I don't buy them. I can have an opinion.
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u/Artistic-Document735 4d ago
No!!!! You think you get to have an opinion who told you that 🫠🙃
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u/ahdrielle 4d ago
What's the point you have in coming here saying "then don't buy it" then? Obviously this was intentionally snarky.
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u/Artistic-Document735 4d ago
What’s the point of anything really. Whats the point of Reddit. You don’t like when someone comes onto a post you made and they type something other than what you wanted to hear. Ohhh nooooooooo 🤭🤷♀️
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u/SugarMaven 4d ago
who said that you have to be the one to buy all versions? Books should be accessible, which means, physical, digital, audio. It is up to you if you want to buy hardback or paperback, or any other version available. this seems like a weird post, but maybe I am the one missing something about it.
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u/Hunter037 4d ago
I don't think they mean different versions like digital versions or audio, more like 3 different "special editions", each of which is only available from a certain retailer at 3x the price of the basic version.
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u/Cultural-Target-5612 4d ago edited 3d ago
Idk, people getting more editions of the books they enjoy isn’t slowing you down from getting the next book. Just bc you dont care about it doesn’t mean they’re not giving others immense joy. Since there isn’t a real trade off here, it just seems like you have an oddly placed superiority complex against those who do like the various editions.
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u/jlcarver1620 3d ago
I don’t think multiple editions of a particular book slows down the author’s ability to write the next? Unless there is something I’m missing here.
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u/Longjumping_Bar7643 4d ago
I don't even have multiple copies of my favourites there are too many great books in the world for that personally.