How to Choose a Collection of Classics | A Guide to Buying Beautiful Hardcover Classics

In this video we will be comparing beautiful classic book collections. This will be the first video guide to buying beautiful classics. Let me know down bellow which of these collections you find the most interesting!
You can't go wrong with these collections.
Find them on Amazon US (affiliate links):
-- Knickerbocker Classics Slipcase Editions:
The Complete Sherlock Holmes (Knickerbocker Classics): amzn.to/3EaRS70
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: amzn.to/3J0dI0C
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen: amzn.to/33I6cY4
-- Knickerbocker Classics - Flexibound:
Jane Eyre: amzn.to/3siTf1g
Little Women: amzn.to/3E9cAnL
-- Calla Editions:
East of the Sun and West of the Moon: amzn.to/3qbRiAM
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens: amzn.to/3GV0OPt
-- Everyman’s Library:
The Great Gatsby: amzn.to/3E8WxWU
Rebecca: amzn.to/3sgDurr
Pride and Prejudice: amzn.to/3GQ0fq4
His Dark Materials: amzn.to/3GWaLw9
-- MacMillan Collectors Library:
Wuthering Heights: amzn.to/3meYNpm
Great Expectations: amzn.to/3GZvj79
-- Library of America:
F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby, All the Sad Young Men & Other Writings 1920-26: amzn.to/329EK54
American Science Fiction: Eight Classic Novels of the 1960s: amzn.to/3mhRTQm
The Philip K. Dick Collection: A Library of America Boxed Set: amzn.to/3J0ewma
Ursula K. Le Guin: The Hainish Novels and Stories: A Library of America Boxed Set: amzn.to/33I7aUc
-----------------------------------------
Our Amazon Affiliate Book Recommendation List:
www.amazon.com/shop/bookcravings
-----------------------------------------
To support this channel: / bookcravings
----------------------------------------
- BookCravings is a channel for book collectors and anyone interested in amazing editions and beautiful books.
- Folio Society, Everyman's Library, Knickerbocker Classics, Taschen, Library of America, Calla Editions, Harry Potter, Children's Books, Tolkien and more.
- New videos every Wednesday!
-----------------------------------------

[@BookCravings]

You can't go wrong with these collections. Find them on Amazon US (affiliate links): -- Knickerbocker Classics Slipcase Editions: The Complete Sherlock Holmes (Knickerbocker Classics): amzn.to/3EaRS70 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: amzn.to/3J0dI0C The Complete Novels of Jane Austen: amzn.to/33I6cY4 -- Knickerbocker Classics - Flexibound: Jane Eyre: amzn.to/3siTf1g Little Women: amzn.to/3E9cAnL -- Calla Editions: East of the Sun and West of the Moon: amzn.to/3qbRiAM Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens: amzn.to/3GV0OPt -- Everyman’s Library: The Great Gatsby: amzn.to/3E8WxWU Rebecca: amzn.to/3sgDurr Pride and Prejudice: amzn.to/3GQ0fq4 His Dark Materials: amzn.to/3GWaLw9 -- MacMillan Collectors Library: Wuthering Heights: amzn.to/3meYNpm Great Expectations: amzn.to/3GZvj79 -- Library of America: F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby, All the Sad Young Men & Other Writings 1920-26: amzn.to/329EK54 American Science Fiction: Eight Classic Novels of the 1960s: amzn.to/3mhRTQm The Philip K. Dick Collection: A Library of America Boxed Set: amzn.to/3J0ewma Ursula K. Le Guin: The Hainish Novels and Stories: A Library of America Boxed Set: amzn.to/33I7aUc

[@shethewriter]

I was so annoyed when I realized the penguin decorations basically just rub off

[@BookCravings]

Right?!

[@Abhishek-fe3zs]

lol yeah, also pages fall out eventually. But I like penguin's translations

[@richardsonreads573]

My goodness, what a lot of work this video must have entailed! Great information and insights. Very much appreciated.

[@BookCravings]

Thank you for watching! I've been wanting to film this video since I started on booktube :)

[@leireadsandrates1617]

My mind went wild when she flatten the book of cloth bound classic. My heart couldn't stop beating fast. I was so scared for a minute 😞

[@nanjappa42]

This is a great video, thank you. I am a buyer of books for 60 years, and you have summed up all the lessons I learned the hard way! I appreciate and agree with all your criteria. Everyman's library books are an absolute delight. I also like Library of America volumes. I do not like Macmillans as the size is smaller, and font size is not comfortable. I am not at all satisfied with Penguins hardcovers.[ Their ordinary paperbacks usually contain good introductions and notes, but the paper and glued binding are rotten. The same is the case with Oxford volumes. These two publishers have simply forgotten how to make a durable book. All they want is fast buck, damn the reader.] For us in India, some of these prices look astronomical. I have a trick. If I can get a trade paperback which is section stitched, I get it bound locally and it is good. Otherwise I settle for a used hardcover. Sometimes we get bargains on Amazon. As for English poetry and literature, I have found the Norton Critical Editions valuable, though they are all paperbacks, with glued binding. So far, I have not found comparable hardcover editions.

[@jesss6643]

I loved this video. So helpful! I am just starting a collection. Thank you for your thoughtful insights!

[@diatomos8]

I found this to be a helpful overview. Thank you.

[@thebuzzlife3970]

Highly appreciate this! quality content

[@bigphilly7345]

I'm so glad I found your channel. I'm a big reader but recently decided to only own collectible editions. This video is helpful.

[@ofgodzeus]

I learned so much and I also enjoyed watching. Thank you so much!

[@Nickycho]

What a beautiful review. Your clarity, insight and editing were truly top notch. Thank you very much for putting so much effort into this! I just had the pleasure of discovering your channel from the KZbin suggestions list and will certainly be sticking around. Great work!

[@nealsteplaws]

Thanks so much for all of the detailed information! I didn't know the differences of different bindings and paper types. I really like the B&N Flexi books, and how durable they are (I was pretty rough on my Great Expectations copy over the 4 months it took me to read and it's still in great shape) but the collection does not include many books, so I've been on the hunt for a new set to start collecting as I want to read more and varied classics. Thanks again!

[@fms6306]

wow! very detailed analysis. ty. this will really help in my decision making. Hope you haven't gone off YT for good since I've just subscribed.

[@yelenairwin1717]

Great video, so helpful and informative, thank you!

[@richardsedding8444]

Thank you Renata for your hard work in making this video. I love books!!

[@lafayette9410]

My girlfriend, her kids and I have a Christmas tradition of getting each other a book. Although this year is already accounted for, this will be incredibly helpful for the future. Thank you for this excellent presentation.

[@PontusPresents]

Fantastic video, Renata! I'm very happy to see regular videos from you again. :-)

[@BookCravings]

Thank you, Pontus!

[@Rorschachink]

Love this video, very to the point, great info! I bought some of the penguin books because they're so pretty I couldn't help myself but I've had many issues with the cover patters coming off. For newer prints they do seem to have replaced the price stickers on the back with a removable paper "bracelet" that doesn't damage the cover prints but the print quality is still problematic. I personally am not a fan of the hardcover Knickerbocker book designs, would have preferred to see some Folio books instead :D I've been put off by the dust covers of the American Library books for some time now. Was not aware of the book binding quality. Thank you for opening my eyes.

[@elizzzzzzzza]

Thank you so much for doing this! I've so overwhelmed trying to find a good collection to buy.

[@BookCravings]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Pplbecrazy]

I just want to say that I apreciate the fact that you introduced to me Folio Society. I mean it, THANK YOU C':

[@tocatafugue]

High quality video! Thank you for talking about the details of each edition, that really helps to know when I can only shop online for books :)

[@BookCravings]

Happy to help!

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

Thanks for mentioning me in your video.I bought the same edition of the Woman and White for my sister and I found the book difficult to bend and it wouldn't be comfortable reading such a book for a couple of hours.

[@mteresavaldes2251]

You have amazing info! Thank you

[@gg-ke1gp]

Macmillan Collectors Hardbacks are my all-time favorites. The size makes them so portable and the pages are light so you don't feel like you're traveling with a tome. The color scheme and gold edges look very luxurious despite the affordable price.

[@Yowzoe]

I'm so glad you did this comparison. Please do more :-)

[@BookCravings]

Thanks for watching!

[@meto2854]

Renata, you are a treasure! What a beautifully informed and produced video, with many examples of the titles and an objective opinion on all editions! I love watching your content and thanks for posting regularly. P. S. I love the Everyman’s Library too, but I have noticed in several books some error in word printing (missing letters or even a grammatical mistake). Also, I would love if they offered some notes either below the text or at the end. But all in all, they are also my favourite collection, and they look amazing ‘naked’ on the shelves! Thanks for the great content, Mec.

[@BookCravings]

Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words :) I haven’t heard of these errors you mentioned but someone commented that EL copies printed in the US are sometimes glued. I hope they step up their game again because they have incredible books...

[@tomlabooks3263]

This is the best booktube video I’ve seen in a long while. Congratulations and thank you for creating it!

[@BookCravings]

Thks for watching!

[@TheBookFinch]

I love it when you go super into detail about the construction and structure of the books. I have to say that I've been very lucky with my copies of the Penguin Clothbound classics. Haven't had any of the silk screen prints rub off on my fingers. I wonder if part of it is that the fabric hasn't been heat pressed after silk screening? So the dye hasn't properly fused with the fabric. That might be why they're so fragile. Heat pressing might seem like a minor step in the work chain, but it does make prints more durable.

[@BookCravings]

That's good! I wish the one I got were more durable. The design is so pretty that it is a shame the decorations are so fragile...

[@levyboshedy3889]

Thank you. This video was great.

[@fms6306]

Again - thank you very much. Based on your video I have decided that the Everyman's Classics is the way to go. Beautiful looking books as well as a wide collection. TY very much.

[@kanashiimurakamisan]

An excellent, comprehensive video. In my experience of buying books, Everyman's Library Classics are hard to beat for the reasons highlighted here. However, Library of America comes close, though they're pricier in UK. But a real shame about Penguin's hardcovers. I was about to buy their new hardback edition of Chekhov's "Fifty-Two Stories". As good as it looks, I'll not bother now, though I continue to buy Penguin paperbacks.

[@TheCLK0]

Hi! Excellent, informative video! Thanks for taking the time to do this. It will definitely help me and anyone who's interested in collecting good quality books. I agree with you on the Penguin Clothbound Classics or their Leatherbound Classics, which are glued as well... I always stay away from them....

[@BookCravings]

Thank you for watching! It took me three weeks to do this video but I really wanted to do something informative and useful to many people.

[@chambeet]

You got yourself a new subscriber because of this video! Love topics like these. Just starting to get into classic book collection lately. I love scholarly material, so my first choice (unless the particular translation of a work dictates my choice, which it will with foreign works) is probably Norton Critical Editions, followed by Penguin Classics, then Oxford World’s Classics. My goal is to one day own ALL of the books and read them all in these collections. Also love the Library of America editions, and just starting to look at Everyman’s Library, as well as Canterbury Classics and Barnes & Noble collector’s editions. I also love the Viking/Penguin Portable series!

[@chambeet]

PS, are you Brazilian?

[@ryandavis280]

very nice video, thanks !

[@kimesch9698]

I didn’t know about the Calla editions. Oh my! Just bought 3!

[@projectrebirth99]

I am also a huge fan of everyman's library. They are beautiful, classy and high quality. Also your video was pretty informative, detailed and well made. Nice job Btw, you are pretty beautiful

[@BeaconHillBooks]

This was great, thank you!

[@BookCravings]

Thank you for watching! ;)

[@misselder1]

The Woman in White is one of my top 5 favorite books! It’s great!

[@graybow2255]

Your channel is among the few that could be truly and rightly called a book channel. It's evident you're a cultured reader and collector. I admire your great work.

[@BookCravings]

Thanks a lot for the kind words

[@bwk2235]

Great video.

[@beinghappy101]

This video was really helpful! I was very confused whether to buy penguin clothbound editions or not.. but after watching this video I realised that everyman's library is the best. I already own six books of Everyman's Library. And they look really beautiful!!

[@BookCravings]

EL is definitely the best! I'm glad I could help :D

[@flannerypedley840]

Yes! I came to exactly the same conclusion. And I have herd it from other places... but this is the most comprehensive video I have found.

[@biblichor5821]

Very informative !

[@BookCravings]

Thanks!

[@philiponeill7201]

Wonderful appraisal of these different publishers. Thank you for this presentation!

[@BookCravings]

Wanna know more about beautiful editions? Check out these updated videos! - Canterbury Leather-bound Classics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWW5i4SsabGWldE - How to Choose Beautiful Children’s Classics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWHdqaeLo7-ed8k

[@pintsikgirl]

Wow, this is impressive! I am now armed with more knowledge and that’s thanks to you! I have a growing collection with mixed binding, mostly second hand, but now I am going to start looking for sewn binding. Will you also kindly do Children’s Classics that will stand the test of time? Thank you.

[@BookCravings]

I'll do a video on Children's Classics, definitely ;)

[@bookish_gemini]

This is SUCH a useful video - thank you so much for making it. I had my eye on the cloth bound Penguin collection but it looks like they made some bad quality choices.

[@BookCravings]

Thanks for watching

[@sashapeanutz3663]

Very informative video! Thank you! What are you thoughts on the Penguin faux leatherbound classics? I was also wondering why cream acid-free paper is better than white acid-free paper? Is it a personal preference or is there another reason?

[@2009hdj]

Thank you so much for making these videos - I have only just started building up a beautiful book collection (I've always wanted to do it, but only started a month or so ago, as I've moved house and finally have enough space). I always check out your channel before I commit to a purchase, because your advice & comments are invaluable (I too love sewn bindings, but it's often hard to avoid glued ones when buying online - the penguin clothbound collection has been a huge disappointment). Thank you so much for all the info :). I have purchased a number of Everyman's Children's Classics because of your vids and they've been great. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to work out how to use your affiliate amazon link, because I can only order books from Amazon Australia. If you have a link that would go directly to Amazon AU or know how I can use it, please let me know :).

[@BookCravings]

Thank you for watching!!! And thank you for trying to use my affiliate links. It means a lot. I'll try to find out if I it's possible to link my Amazon US/UK program to Amazon Australia :D

[@kevkas]

Renata, I was wondering if you could make a video with tips on how to take care of your books, particularly about dust accumulating on them and stuff like that.

[@BookCravings]

Great idea!!

[@radiantchristina]

I really like the Everyman's Library - affordable, durable ,and nice to look at. Macmillan collectors library is my absolute favorite of the books that i own - affordable. I agree on the paper- it is way too white. I hadn't realized that some were abridged. I only own about 5 or 6 right now but hope to have more over time. The biggest collection of my books though are old Penguin classics paperbacks that are beat up , spines cracked, papers yellowed - well loved :)

[@BookCravings]

I wanna do a video about some of these books that we can't part with no matter how beat up they look. ❤

[@craigholmes9396]

I find the LOA books to be the easiest books to read anywhere. They are simply the perfect size, and even though the volumes are roughly 1,000 pages, it never seems tiring to hold them and read anywhere. The quality is assured, as i take mine everywhere and they have held up to anything i throw at them. I have some Everyman's library books as well, and find them to be durable books too. Barring these two publishers, almost all my other books are Folio Society, which you know are in a whole other league of their own.

[@himanshusakerwal7184]

great video.in India, everyman library books are available at very low prices. even lower than MacMillan's pocket classics. I absolutely loved your video. EL also have a wonderful box set collection. the most amazing thing about everyman library is that they are created for reading rather than collecting. for me number 1 is EL and number 2 is race point publishings. and I am glad that you did not include the folio society edition.

[@MrRutty1984]

Most UK books have the stiff pages that don't stay down when you open the book, I much prefer US hardcover's and if I can't get it in hardcover I buy the ebook for my kindle. Great video.

[@awsaf6376]

I rarely comment. But this is the best sort of encouragement I can give. Great video. So few KZbinrs cover these. Take your time. Looking forward to your part 2.

[@BookCravings]

Thank you!

[@jasonpartridge3097]

Do you ever review foreign language books? I have looked for a nice Spanish edition of Don Quijote for a long time now.

[@chrollo2183]

Very informative video! Do you have any experience buying books from the Franklin Library/Easton Press? I have a few of the older copies and they are excellent as far as quality goes; affordability might depend on the volume/print date however.

[@BookCravings]

They are great!

[@connorpusey5912]

The Barnes and Noble flexible collectible editions used to be bonded leather and hardback. They used to have 3 sects of their leather bound collections: the smallest was more square in shape and was geared more towards younger readers, the second was a midway. The page ends were colored but not gilded, the paper was rougher in texture but still nice and they had marbled endpapers and a quote from the book on the back (as did the children’s leather editions). Then there was the top tier leather editions. They are the biggest and most elaborate and well made. Sadly they are making the midway editions with completely fake leather and paperback.

[@Puddin_Tame]

Great video!!! But where is part two?

[@BookCravings]

Coming soon!

[@seanleas6780]

My only problem with LOA books is how condensed the typeset is. As a reader I typically really prefer some more white space. However they are built to last and some of the better built books out there. They rival Folio Society as far as quality goes and are very affordable! Loved this video!

[@BookCravings]

Thank you, Sean!

[@yourfriendlyneighbour3485]

Thanks really helpful!

[@astermos-6616]

Thank you for this information. I realized that if I want to buy books it's got to last a lifetime as I only buy ones where I'm sure I'll read them again. Knickerbocker Classics cover designs doesn't make sense though.

[@greatslack]

Great video! Just wanted to point out that a few Everyman’s Library books have a glued binding. These are mostly older printings that have a low page count, and some new printings that are printed in the USA instead of Germany. But other than these few disappointments it’s been one of my favorite publishers!

[@BookCravings]

They unfortunately produced some glued copies, but I've never seem them! :) Even my copy of Heart of Darkness, which is the thiner EL book I own, have sewn binding. BTW I didn't know they printed some copies in the US. :)

[@greatslack]

BookCravings I have a copy of The Handmaid’s Tale that was printed in the last year in the USA that has a glued binding. It might have just been a one time thing to rush out copies for fans of the TV show, but it’s enough to make me cautious about buying EL online :)

[@BookCravings]

Oh no! This is terrible news... I only buy them online 😱

[@person9872]

I've heard that if you contact their customer service, they'll send you a copy with a sewn binding for free.

[@graphic-no_avail534]

The problem I have had with flexibound was that the cover seemed to come off as I was reading it.

[@DrumondArt]

Olá Renata, existe algum site onde possa ver a lista completa de todos os títulos editados em cada uma destas linhas de edição? Ou algumas delas, pelo menos? Obrigado! E continua com o excelente content!

[@cblanc]

I doubt you'll be reading this after a year, but I've just discovered your channel and have fallen in love with it. I just recently gave away 2000 books as I was planning on travelling, keeping just my favourite books. Now I'm back home because of the virus and am looking at increasing my collection again, but just 1st editions, collectors editions or anything else that I find beautiful. This video has given me many ideas, thanks x

[@BookCravings]

That's amazing!! 😍

[@jackywithay6393]

when i saw the picture of dorian gray book my heart stopped I think that was the most beautiful one of the whole book.

[@rayssapinheirol]

Alguém está maratonando os vídeos do canal rs (eu mesma)! Renata, eu acho que a qualidade da produção editorial brasileira melhorou bastante nos últimos anos! Eu vi em um vídeo que você não se interessa tanto por literatura nacional, mas também oferecem títulos de fora... vi que você já tem alguns exemplares da Darkside e Zahar, mas já deu uma olhada na Antofágica? É fantástica! A TAG livros é uma assinatura interessante também, a linha curadoria inclui apenas capa dura com uma luva de proteção (+ um mimo). Além disso, antigas conhecidas tem sempre se dedicado em novas e belas edições (Aleph, por exemplo)... ah você tem algum da Cosac Naify? (que infelizmente não está mais entre nós); até a Martin Claret que há alguns anos teve problemas sérios com traduções e capas horrendas, está tentando desenvolver um trabalho diferenciado... e claro, não poderia deixar de mencionar Pipoca e Nanquim (vi em um vídeo que você tinha uma coleção de hqs e mangás que deixou na casa dos seus pais)... pois bem, todos os livros deles são caprichadíssimos e de muito bom gosto! Acredito que seriam excelentes adesões a sua coleção... Certeza tem editoras que não comentei aqui, mas já falei demais 🙈

[@BookCravings]

Oi! Ultimamente tenho comprado mais edições nacionais que estrangeiras (a alta do dólar é um dos motivos, mas de fato temos muitas edições bacanas sim). Das que mencionou gosto de todas, mas a TAG só comprei as primeiras edições. Um dia talvez eu volte, mas os títulos não me interessaram tanto. No momento estou aguardando ansiosamente a entrega do Gatsby que a Antofágica está lançando e que comprei na pré-venda porque amo a capa original). Obrigada pelas dicas!!!!

[@kaydeforce9411]

This is such a great video, but unfortunately your links in the description box don't work properly. I tried to just google the editions but was not really successful. I wonder if some of these editions are just out of print by now?

[@BookCravings]

I fixed them! Thks for letting me know

[@lizbennetgenova]

hello i assume the B&N flexibound editions have glue binding, is that correct?

[@BookCravings]

The one I have here is sewn.

[@stevenbowman761]

I agree with you about the greatness of both the Everyman's Library and Library of America volumes. But I wonder two things about Everyman's Library. First, why are the slip-on covers of some of their books gorgeous and in color while others are a super plain design? Second, why is the body text in The Brothers Karamazov so much smaller than in the other books?

[@BookCravings]

I’m not sure about the size, but I know that older editions have plain dust jackets while the newer ones have pictures on them.

[@shethewriter]

I love Library of America but they don’t have international authors (obviously) and they are quite pricey

[@davidpendergrass659]

With the penguin books I noticed some books patterns rub off and others don’t the picture of Dorian grey is actually good and lasting but Frankenstein isn’t

[@johnnynova4319]

Part 2? What about the Canterbury Classics? And the Canterbury Word Cloud Classics?

[@BookCravings]

Noted!

[@himanshusakerwal7184]

hey, I want to buy sherlock holmes. and I finally decided that I will buy 4 volumes flexibound knickerbocker classic. my only worry is the page quality. can you give me some insights on the page quality? is it similar to the slipcase edition? or better than slipcase edition?

[@BookCravings]

I wouldn’t say better but definitely thicker.

[@zenna5062]

What's your opinion on Easton Press?

[@BookCravings]

A bit tacky sometimes, but great quality books.

[@satyajeetdighe1579]

Are the calla editions printed in China ? And have you come across of Tales of mystery and imagination from calla edition

[@BookCravings]

They are

[@eldritchpumpkinghost2968]

Barnes & Noble gives a lot for the price. I just wish the quality remains high, there have been some signs that they're cutting corners.

[@Bragison8]

Is there a part 2?

[@BookCravings]

Not yet 😁😬

[@yourfriendlyneighbour3485]

Hello is faux leather different from flexibound?

[@BookCravings]

Flexibound is just a cover that is more flexible than a hardcover, and far more durable than a paperback.

[@mrwhale7351]

I really wish I had bought the eye of the world Barnes and noble hardcover when it was out.

[@BookCravings]

It is the only WoT hardcover worth buying in my opinion. The standard hardcovers are very low quality unfortunately...

[@bravez5644]

So would the Barnes and noble collection be good to buy

[@BookCravings]

It could be a good option.

[@LoucaoHop]

I bet you are Brazilian hehe, I could tell straight away from the intro

[@Taras2071]

Like the video. Just in case you weren't aware, Library of America offers slipcased editions without the dust jackets. You can also buy the slipcases SEPARATELY and use them for the dust jacket versions you've already bought. You might need membership for this (a book a month), but I believe it's still free to join, and you can cancel when you've got the slipcases you want. They also let you postpone membership for up to 6 months at a time. The slipcases are something like $4-8 each by themselves. There are 12 or so different dimensions they use, so you have to match the book to the correct slipcase.

[@BookCravings]

Sadly they don't take international subscribers anymore... I just asked them again the other day :(

[@farshadmasoomi3942]

Aren't Macmillan's collector's library difficult on the eyes?

[@BookCravings]

I honestly don’t think so

[@person9872]

I think that Library of America has to be my favorite. I love the appearance with the dust jackets removed. The logo in particular is a beautiful piece of design. I've made my feelings about the dust jackets clear, but you can always take those off. And I have to admit, the dust jackets are sort of growing on me. I mean, they're ugly. Really ugly. It's just that the ugly dust jacket feels like it's part of what makes it the Library of America. But most of all, I just love the idea of the organization. First of all, I like how it's a nonprofit. But I also like how the idea is to create a record of the American canon. That makes them almost a combination of publisher and literary prize. Obviously the idea of a literary canon will always be subjective, so I'm not trying to suggest that the Library of America is by any means definitive. But it's still a kind of record, which is better than nothing. And I really respect how they have such a diverse view of American literature. The Pulitzer never recognized LeGuin, and the NBA rather insultingly gave her the award, but in the children's category (which arguably wasn't appropriate for the book in question). The Man Booker has never been awarded to a speculative fiction writer. Yet the Library of America has inducted multiple speculative fiction writers, including LeGuin, who is one of only few authors to be inducted while still alive. On the whole, the Library of America does a great job of including plenty of books that aren't usually considered canonical, but absolutely should be. I kind of wish the Library of America would create a separate yearly series, where they publish what they think is the best book of the current year, just because I trust their judgement more than the NBA and Pulitzer. I'll have to politely disagree about the flat spines. I quite like that style of binding! But I do agree that it's mostly a matter of taste.

[@BookCravings]

I wonder how incredible it would be if each country could have its own "LOA" non-profit organization. Of course this would require expressive donors, something that is very common in the US and not so much in other countries, but the idea behind LoA is very commendable and I feel good buying the books for this reason. Very interesting your remark about Ursula K LeGuin. I did not know that. This year I'm very late with my reading plans, but your comment reminded me that I have to read my LoA LeGuin copies. Btw have you heard about "The Books of Earthsea: The Illustrated Edition"? It will be released in October but my sister kindly preordered one copy as a gift to me. It is illustrated by Charles Vess and it has 1000 pages. I'm really excited to get it!

[@person9872]

That would be great! It might be doable if you organized it on a regional scale as opposed to having one for each country. For example, you could create a non-profit to cover South America. Of course, that wouldn't be very fair, because more wealthy countries would have their own organizations, while other parts of the world would only have split representation. But it would be better than nothing! I'm so excited about the Saga Press Earthsea! The illustrations look beautiful, and apparently they were all personally proofed by LeGuin before she died. Unfortunately, the two LeGuin titles that Saga Press already published had glued bindings, which is a real shame. Particularly for such a huge book. But I'm still planning to get a copy! I also just got a hold of both of the LeGuin short story collections published by The Small Beer Press. I'd definitely recommend it if you can find them secondhand! The dust jackets are beautiful, and the book itself is sewn and very well made. I'll post a picture when I have a chance.

[@BookCravings]

That would be really great indeed, but language would be a limitation. In South America, for example, Brasil is the only Portuguese speaking country. Since I learned about LoA I have this idea about printing public domain Brazilian titles. It's a crazy idea but one day I'll do it lol. I "just" need to find a letterpress workshop lol. I have been studying binding techniques for fun. Maybe one day I'll connect the dots.. Btw, I didn't know the Saga Press Earthsea had glued binding... :( and I just put The Small Beer Press edition you mentioned on my wishlist. Have you read the intro LeGuin wrote for the FS edition of We? To be honest I'm not a big fan of Folio's introductions. I find them superficial. But LeGuin wrote some interest ideas. It was more an essay than an intro, but I liked it.

[@person9872]

Right. Of course. Wow. It's sort of funny, because that's so obvious now that you point it out. But it honestly didn't occur to me. I guess having grown up in an English speaking country, it's like coming from a sort of bubble. I've always thought it would be cool to try and combine 3d printing with letterpress (I've got a quasi-tech background). If I ever got to the point where I'm financially secure, I'd like to get together with some college friends and start a tech-based letterpress printer. Unfortunately, all the Saga Press titles so far have been glued. They're an imprint of Simon & Schuster (basically just the Science Fiction publishing arm) so the quality is basically on par with commercial printing. Still, I think the Saga Press will be worth it just for the illustrations. If you want to risk it, the exact same editions (with the same illustrations) will be printed for Europe by Gollancz, so they might opt for a sewn binding. But most of the Gollancz books I've seen have been pretty cheap and glued. Also, the cover design isn't nearly as nice. www.gollancz.co.uk/titles/ursula-k-le-guin/the-books-of-earthsea-the-complete-illustrated-edition/9781473223554/ The Small Beer Press editions are great, though. I'll post a picture when I've got a chance. Also, I'm still planning on starting a vlog, so I might do one with all my LeGuin books. It hasn't happened yet because I don't want to disturb my housemates, but I'm thinking of taping them at a nearby bookstore instead (I know the owners). Side Note: I'm almost finished with the novella I've been writing, and I'm looking for beta readers. Would you be interested? I know you've got a really long reading list, but I'd get a lot from your input.

[@BookCravings]

Omg.. combining 3D printing with letterpress. That would be incredible.... I'd definitely read your novella. I have always wanted to write fiction. I have written an incredible number of stories. All of them unfinished lol. Completing a novella is a huge achievement. 👊

[@Sherlika_Gregori]

Do you like Persephones books? They have simple covers, but of high quality.

[@BookCravings]

I love it!!

[@shethewriter]

Everyman’s library seems the most readable and durable from what I’ve seen in stores. The barnes and noble classics have bidings that weaken, especially in their children’s books

[@eonratslear981]

Barnes and Noble “complete” Lovecraft is missing serval stories. Definitely not complete. I bought it and was disappointed.

[@sernoddicusthegallant6986]

What tales is it missing?

[@General_reader]

Where do I go to buy complete collections of these series? All I can find is the every man’s library online.?

[@BookCravings]

You gotta hunt them one by one…

[@dimitris470]

I have a few Barns n Noble Leartherbounds and Flexibounds. For me the leather ones are a bit tacky looking. Anyway. Their biggest issue is that despite of their sewn binding, they have no "swell", which means that after a while the text block sags towards the bottom, putting strain both to the binding, but also possibly wearing down the textblock. This is a very common problem with modern hardbacks, especially thicker ones. But it's hardly a sign of quality. They are really nothing special as editions. The macmilan's are nice books, but unfortunately small (if you are into that thing) and often the text is abridged.

[@BookCravings]

I couldn’t agree more

[@Sherlika_Gregori]

Barnes and Noble usually have tiny font, no?

[@BookCravings]

It varies..

[@leobermudes]

Brasileira? Sotaque lembra muito

[@AtticusStount]

What is your opinion on dust jackets? You know, the things they put on books to obscure the real covers.

[@BookCravings]

I usually keep them.

[@AtticusStount]

@@BookCravings I think they're condoms for books.

[@issecret1]

@@AtticusStount they're pretty great if you take them around since you won't damage the real cover

[@BlogSnob]

I'm surprised Modern Library wasn't included

[@BookCravings]

I intended to do a part 2 video..

[@VisualFeast7557]

My favorite cheaper collections are: Everyman's library and Calla books.

[@BookCravings]

I really like them too!

[@akashhingu7617]

Was hoping for wordcloud collection to be mentioned..

[@BookCravings]

I still have to film the "part 2" :D

[@akashhingu7617]

@@BookCravings oh..looking forward to watch that.. They have sewn biding and I really love Phantom of the Opera cover..I am always on a quest for beautiful books..

[@itznoxy7193]

The first thing you should do when you buy an everyman's library edition is immediately take the paper dust cover off and throw it in the trash.

[@BookCravings]

Oh no!

[@b_v1]

i bought my knickerbocker classic version of edgar allan poe’s collection years ago, i tried to buy another one as a gift and they stopped printing them😭 second hand sellers are selling them for ridiculous money

[@BookCravings]

Really?!! I didn’t know that!

[@BookCravings]

Omg!!!

[@BookCravings]

Wow!

[@robertwinslade3104]

I have loved the look of the Penguin Clothbound Classics for ages and decided yesterday to start a collection with The Count of Monte Cristo, but I have been immediately dissapointed in the quality; the adhesive barcode label stuck to the back has stained the cloth and stripped away part of the print, and within hours of getting it home, paint started flaking off of large parts of the front cover pattern despite how carefully I treat my books and the fact that it has hardly been handled. I'm gonna have to return it; I don't often splash out on high quality books; I mostly buy second hand from charity shops due to being low on money; so if I am going to treat myself and spend nearly £20 on a novel I expect something that won't start deteriorating the moment it is out of the shop (not a phrase I ever thought I would have to apply to books) 😢

[@BookCravings]

I couldn’t agree more!!!

[@cesarbolet2181]

You sound like you are from Brazil.