Jump to content

Which is your favourite style?


Booknutt

Recommended Posts

We're all bookworms here, of course - and for a bookworm the actual format of a favourite novel can be as important as the actual story! So - what's your favourite style or format in Jane Austen novels?

 

Personally, I love my little "Collector's Library" hardbacks. They're a lovely convenient size and weight to hold comfortably, and are small enough to slip into a handbag for entertainment on a boring journey. I also love the black and white illustrations of characters scattered throughout the books.

 

Paperbacks are also handy, of course - I've got a few "Wordsworth" copies, which just happen to contain the same illustrations as the Collector's Library series, plus a bit more helpful information, too.

 

The feel of a familiar and loved book in our hands is a reassuring experience, with a promise of a few minutes (or longer!) of "escape" from the day-to-day world to lure us between it's pages.

 

So - which is your choice, fellow Janeite? :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've only got one version, the Penguin Classics paperback editions I bought back in the 1980s. Admittedly, they're very well used and some of the pages are loose now! Luckily, because they're classics and out of copyright, I've been able to download free ebook versions now :smile2:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It wouldn't normally bother me, but over Christmas I came across a box set of Austen that I almost bought. Fortunately (or unfortunately for the shop owners) one copy had been taken out of it's shrink-wrap, so I was able to see that the pages were formatted in two column style. I can't say why, but it put me right off.

 

Ian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the replies, folks - it's always interesting to know the views of fellow fans of a loved author. :D

 

I know what Ian means about being put off by certain formats - it's something someone who isn't a bookworm wouldn't understand, at all!

 

I'm dithering at the moment about dropping hints for my this years' birthday present - copies of our favourite novels available at "The Jane Austen Shop" - giftshop.janeausten.co.uk They're Winchester Red hardbacks, and by the sound of it, a good, well presented buy at £9.99 each. Unfortunately, the insides of the books aren't well displayed on the website, so it's difficult to get an idea of what they're really like as a "read" and it's such a disappointment (for buyer and receiver) to have to send a "gift parcel" back!

 

I don't suppose anyone posting here has, or knows of anyone who has them already? I'd be very interested to hear an actual owners opinion of them.

 

I used to be very tempted by the various versions The Folio Club produced, too. They were always quite expensive ... but quite a weight in the hands, too, which made them uncomfortable to hold for too long, plus - there were no nice pictures for me to dream over! :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have some rather girly, chick-lit type covers on mine. I don't mind them too much because I've gotten used to them, but I'm sure that one day I'll end up with multiple editions as I buy more and more lovely covers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a beautiful set of hardback copies my parents bought me for my 16th birthday not sure who they are published by though they are still at their house will have a look when next I visit them (my parents not the books) at the moment I don't have room for them in my house

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi again, fans -

 

Yes - it's so tempting isn't it to buy yet another version of the stories? I've had to actually give a few away, as I don't have much storage space here. The strange thing is, Kylie, that each different version makes me see something in the stories that I hadn't before - it's like finding a new facet to an old friend.

 

I'm jealous of your lovely hardbacks already, Pickle. It makes such a difference when favourite books are bought by family or friends - gives them a special meaning, doesn't it? What about bringing just one at a time home for a read, then returning it to safekeeping with the folks? I'd have a problem choosing, though!

 

Have a good weekend, Janeites. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Spotted another hardback version of Pride and Prejudice (The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen) in a charity shop yesterday.

 

Having a leaf through, I wasn't too impressed with the "illustrations" (rather insipid b/w ones) and the book included the annoying-but- authentic detail of having the first word of the next page printed at the bottom of the previous one, another "minus" in my opinion.

I dithered a bit, for it was in beautiful almost-immaculate condition, and a comfortable "hand" size and only £2.99 to boot(!) - but put it back.

 

Trekked home through the rain. :badmood: Had a cuppa. :smile: Got back into my damp gear and trekked back again to buy it! :doh:

 

Oh Well - I haven't been called a booknutt for most of my life for nothing. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Funny you should bump this thread Booknutt, as the other day, I realised that we have at least three different copies of most of the Jane Austen books - both me and OH had our own copies of the Penguin Classics version, plus he has some small, compact hand sized hard back editions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Spotted another hardback version of Pride and Prejudice (The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen) in a charity shop yesterday.

 

Having a leaf through, I wasn't too impressed with the "illustrations" (rather insipid b/w ones) and the book included the annoying-but- authentic detail of having the first word of the next page printed at the bottom of the previous one, another "minus" in my opinion.

I dithered a bit, for it was in beautiful almost-immaculate condition, and a comfortable "hand" size and only £2.99 to boot(!) - but put it back.

 

Trekked home through the rain. :badmood: Had a cuppa. :smile: Got back into my damp gear and trekked back again to buy it! :doh:

 

Oh Well - I haven't been called a booknutt for most of my life for nothing. :D

 

That was funny booknutt. Don't worry you are in good company here. I completely understand as I have done similar things myself for a book in the past!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I've just ordered a leather bound omnibus with 7 of her best known novels. It will be arriving next weak. Oh, I can't wait! I love my books heavy and chunky and smelly. I rarely read in public places and having some weight on my knees while reading, wrapped in a blanket and sipping tea with way to much sugar, gives me some sense of comfort.

 

The thing I dislike most is when there are lose paper wrappings around hard cover books. When the books are new they are always in the way when reading and when the books are old the paper is often gone too. That includes the informative text on the backside. Since I buy mostly second hand books I really like it when the text and pictures are directly printed on the cover. It would make live.. well, buying books... a lot easier for me if that where done all the time.

 

 

... Trekked home through the rain. :badmood: Had a cuppa. :smile: Got back into my damp gear and trekked back again to buy it! :doh:

 

Oh Well - I haven't been called a booknutt for most of my life for nothing. :D

 

I think that at one point, we all have done something similar. :D I once forgot my backpack while shopping (I don't have a purse) and found a shop who sold books for one krona each (that would be 0.09 pound or 0.14 American dollars.). It was raining cats and dogs outside (possibly monkeys too) so I stuffed all the books i could carry under my coat and walked to the bus stop that way. I looked like a complete idiot walking very carefully trying not to let them drop out from under my layer of clothes into a puddle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm with you, Agon9, there's nothing like cuddling up with a nice chunky hunky ... book!

I'd buy more of the "heayweight" ones myself, but with a cat determined to snooze on my knee every time I sit down at home, it's easier to keep to the lightweight ones.

 

Seems like you're a lover of "proper" books, like me. E-readers are handy of course, and one day I'll get one - but my favourite books will always be in old-fashioned paper style. My home wouldn't be my home without a bookcase full of memories of pleasant hours, for me to pick up and re-visit, anytime.

 

Maybe everybody thought you were expecting a very bumpy-looking baby when you were hugging your coat-full of books? :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ah cats. You know what they say about cats. "Dogs have masters and cats have servants." I've one myself too and he insists on sleeping in my neck like a oversized purring shawl or on top of whatever I'm trying to read at the moment. He is attention addicted for sure.

 

I've been thinking of buying a e-reader but there are so many models and makes on the market that I'm very indecisive on what to buy. They are also rather expensive and have limited memory to save the books on. Meaning that, after a while, every time I buy a new book I would have to throw away one too. I think I will keep it on my paper books and over full bookshelves for a while.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...