Are Folio Society Books Worth the Money?

[@Kim_Miller]

The artwork on the slip cover of Frankenstein is a process called 'oil on water marbling'. We used to do this when I was a kid (now in my 70s) to make covers for our school excercise books. Get a shallow dish of water and float cooking oil across the top. Now gently pour water based paints onto the oil, several colours in different areas. Gently swirl the paint across the surface but don't mix it into the oil. Now float a piece of paper on top of it. The swirls of paint become the pattern on the paper. Not only was this a staple of our school days, but it was also very common for the inside covers of books to be lined with a sheet of oil on water patterned paper.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s super cool! Thanks for the info, Kim!

[@u0000-u2x]

For me it evokes microscope slides with tissue cells

[@Yesica1993]

I wish more books came born with slipcases. Not only do they look beautiful, they help protect the book from dust. My main concern would not be the design. (Though that is important.) My main concerns would be readability (font size) and quality of craftmanship. If you're going to shell out ridiculous amounts of cash for a book, it should last decades so you can pass it on to your kids or donate them somewhere, so that future generations can benefit from them when you are gone.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, the slipcases do help preserve them which is important for special editions!

[@bookspin]

Very nice! I love the artwork in Childhood's End and the bright colours of the Ubik design. Last year I picked up my first Folio books, Ubik and 2001 A Space Odyssey, thanks to a gift voucher I was given. I'm excited to read 2001 soon

[@WordsinTime]

I was jealous of your copy of Ubik haha

[@michaelchen6017]

Kind of cool how with the Frankenstein’s monster silhouette you could see it heading towards you or away

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, I had a similar thought!

[@maxturgeon89]

Looking forward to your review of all those nice books sitting on the shelf behind you! :P

[@WordsinTime]

Haha it’s a nice Folio shelf, but not enough sci-fi!

[@polyglotreading]

The pattern on the slipcase was very popular as front and end papers of books produced during the 2nd half of the 19th century. I have some books from around 1890 that have not only marbled front/end papers but also on all edges. Maybe Folio did this on purpose to allude to book production traditions back in Shelley's days. Kind regards from a fellow Folio fan (love that alliteration) from Germany 🤗

[@WordsinTime]

That’s cool! It does have a classic feel to it!

[@MuleFace100]

Collectible editions are indeed a fun (but potentially expensive) addition to our hobby. I began collecting Limited Editions Club books a few years ago, and have added Heritage Press (their less expensive sister company) and, of course Folio Society as well. Most are not sci-fi, but you can get some nice editions of Jules Verne & H.G. Wells books & even Ray Bradbury. Folio did editions of 1984 and Brave New World previously which you can get in the secondary market.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, it’s expensive enough just buying regular books let alone special editions haha. I’ll have to reserve those for my absolute favourites!

[@ceeece]

I’ve been lurking and saving favorites on FS. But have never pulled the trigger due to the prices. $90 can buy 4-5 books. As much as i would love to start collecting these I can’t get myself to.

[@WordsinTime]

I resisted special editions for years and only pulled the trigger when I could justify the price to myself, so I totally get it!

[@ceeece]

@@WordsinTime There’s a slight chance I may go nuts one day and order $1000 on my wish list.

[@WordsinTime]

@@ceeece Hahaha living on the edge

[@Benny19745]

Awesome Jonathan I think I must go down the rabbit hole.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha a rabbit hole indeed. Hope you find something you like!

[@halfogre123]

I think the Frankenstein art on the slipcase may be related to the sea voyage? It does look a bit water themed.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, it evoked the water and snow locations for me!

[@skeller61]

One thing to note, in the US, they do have free shipping for orders of $300 or more. I spent way too much, and got all three of these books, and many others. They are very readable, with beautiful paper and the font size and line spacing is very good (I’m picky). Many of them are available second hand (Amazon and/or eBay) for much less. Thanks.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the info on the shipping!

[@colin1818]

I do love a beautiful book. It's incredibly fulfilling. But of course, then I feel bad reading it because I might mess it up. And if I have a book on my shelf that I'm unwilling to read it becomes little more than a tchotchke. Which is a shame. And not even a proper tchotchke, because they're not cheap. So as much as I adore beautiful books, I'm incredibly dubious that they're worth it. That said - thanks for sharing! Do people ever mail you books so you can have book haul videos?

[@WordsinTime]

Haha yes they shouldn’t be so precious that you can’t read them. I have an Amazon wishlist, which a couple of kind people have used, but I don’t have a PO Box so I’ve never really mentioned sending books as an option.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

​@@WordsinTimeI always wash my hands right before reading a Folio Book to keep the edges White.

[@EmpressNoriko]

I’ve gotten into special editions in the last 3-4 years. I’ve done Kickstarters, Barnes & Noble special editions, Wraithmarked and others. Recently got on the Broken Binding Tier 2 subscription after a year on the wait list. I’m especially partial to fancy sprayed edges. My only Folio is The Neverending Story with the Luck Dragon Falkor on the edges. I’m going to use some Christmas money to get the Folio Game of Thrones. My nephew was recently looking at my books and I realized I should tell him that not only were these special editions obviously worth something but some others were too. I have some out of print manga worth some eye watering amounts. Now most of my books are actually worth less than I paid for them, but many are not obviously expensive. I know he won’t keep most of what I have, but he should get what they are worth when he sells them.

[@WordsinTime]

That sounds like an incredible collection!

[@mattbaldwin1150]

I’m with you Jonathan, they need to be classics for me. I highly recommend The Road. Gerard DuBois is an amazing illustrator. I also own I Am Legend which was illustrated by the artist behind Arkham Asylum (Dave McKean).

[@WordsinTime]

That’s cool, thanks for the info! I Am Legend is on my TBR. And I loved the game Arkham City haha, which I’m sure must have used some of McKean’s art design.

[@SoulsJourney]

All way out of my price range but quite lovely. I was a little surprised the end papers in Frankenstein were just plain. I always like the more decorative end papers. Enjoy your collection!

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, the Frankenstein end papers were plain but the edges are coloured, which is nice. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@BookishChas]

Awesome video Jonathan! Some of these are really gorgeous. That Frankenstein edition is a little bit too much of a contrast from the darkness of the story though. It’s a bit too bright. 😂 Like you, I have a short list of books that I would ever spend that kind of money on lol.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks Chas! Most Frankenstein books are dark so I liked the different colors on this one. I think it might represent the water and snow locations in the story.

[@saleen12]

Those shelves look so fire wow!

[@WordsinTime]

@@saleen12 Haha I don’t have that many Folio books quite yet, although I did just recently order a couple!

[@saleen12]

@@WordsinTime I realized at the end it was a green screen haha

[@HarryTo1]

Good timing, I just got the three John Wyndham classics in the sale for £60 from Folio! A bargain for 3 beautifully made books. Full price I can't always justify it😄

[@WordsinTime]

That’s a great deal!

[@EstoNoEsUnSpoiler]

I'm trying very hard to avoid the temptation of buying Philip K. Dick's short stories (probably the most illustrated Folio currently in print) alongside Outlaws of the Marsh (50% off in the sale), but I think I'll let it pass and wait for the spring collection. I love this company so much, but I hardly have space for more of them! My most anticipated folio book this year will be Jonathan Strange.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha they are tempting! I hope you love them if you do happen to pick those up!

[@sofadhana1289]

Am I wrong in saying that you can't crack the spine (mentioned re the Shelley) as they are sewn bindings, and not glued, which is what 'cracks'?

[@WordsinTime]

Haha yes, I’ve never bought a special edition before so I was just being unnecessarily careful.

[@sofadhana1289]

@@WordsinTime that said, there is a method to reduce damage to new hardcovers. Lay the book on its back with all pages pointing up; lay down a few pages from the beginning and end of the book alternating sides, if that makes sense.

[@TMS2224]

Even sewn bindings have the spine glued, so it’s still possible to crack it. Careful opening as suggested above is a good idea!

[@jpa18]

Wow you did jujitsu?? You are like a real life comic book superhero! A book nerd that looks harmless but when bad guys try to cause trouble, you wipe them out with your ninja skills! 😂

[@colin1818]

Jiujitsu is like extreme hugging.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha I spend more time reading and playing golf than fighting vigilantes

[@WordsinTime]

@@colin1818 Facts

[@colin1818]

@@WordsinTime - Mind you, it's a hug you really don't want to receive. haha

[@jpa18]

​@@colin1818 You've heard of muggers, but have you... HEARD OF... HUGGERS!!!! Dun Dun Dun!!!

[@bartsbookspace]

Frankenstein and Ubik are stunning! Love the art and design. Childhoods End folio on the other hand feels a bit disappointing. Considering it’s a first contract novel with a thought provoking and mind bending ending the artwork does not seem to reflect the nature of the book and instead is, I don’t know, safe? I might be wrong, it’s just a quick impression from the video. I have not seen the book. And as always, fabulous video, Jonathan!

[@WordsinTime]

Yeah, they’re great! Childhood’s End has some amazing imagery in the book but it could be considered a spoiler so I can see why they played it “safe”. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@bartsbookspace]

@@WordsinTime That makes sense. Although, lol, I wonder if anyone buys these prior to reading the book. I would be, just like you, buying them only for books that I’ve read and truly loved.

[@Tetsujin-28]

I have Something Wicked This Way Comes and Dialogue Concerning The Two Chief World Systems . Both are worth every penny. I want Kafka on the Shore, but it's a bit too much IMHO.

[@WordsinTime]

Awesome, glad they were worth it!

[@joseph_b319]

Those are defiantly nice. I'm always on the look out for first edition hard covers of my favorite books. So far I have Preston and Child's Relic and a mass paperback first edition of Jurassic park.

[@WordsinTime]

Nice! Those are good finds Joseph!

[@NiceTryGuvnah]

What belt are you in jiu jitsu?

[@WordsinTime]

@@NiceTryGuvnah Purple!

[@NiceTryGuvnah]

​@WordsinTime As someone who done bjj before I know how hard that is. congrats.

[@3choblast3r4]

If their shipping costs weren't so outrageous 100000%. Because the reality is that they often aren't that much more expensive or even cheaper than "special editions" but in return you get a book with acid free paper, properly bound, incredibly high quality and from what I've seen, always including tons of unique art work. Folio books are made to last. Unfortunately last I checked their shipping alone is as much as an average anniversary or special edition book. Really tempted to order book of the new sun, the dune books and so much more from them. But I'm worried I'd end up spending 2, 3 thousand on books from folio lol

[@WordsinTime]

@@3choblast3r4 Yeah, shipping is expensive to the USA especially as a percentage of the cost if you only order one book. It’s not quite as bad if you order several at a time on a per book shipping cost.

[@dalejones4322]

You're the devil. I didn't know there was such a thing and now I'm going straight there to see what my first purchase will be. If you see me homeless on the street, just know that you introduced me to my drug of choice and put a dollar in my cup for my next fix. Seriously, thanks buddy for doing this video. I've been wanting to buy some nicer books and wasn't aware of this website. I'm not a fan of Frankenstein but that book is so beautiful I'm tempted to buy it. That was a spectacular gift.

[@WordsinTime]

Hahaha my apologies / you’re welcome!

[@EmpressNoriko]

My husband frequently comments that a drug habit would be cheaper, but not as fun. The look on people’s faces like maintenance men, delivery people, repair techs often says “oh wow you have a problem” when they see all our books. But I figure it’s no different from Hummel Figurines or tools. The whole minimalism movement is definitively not my thing.

[@Zivilin]

From booktuber to hand model. What a shocking career change. 😮😂

[@WordsinTime]

Haha my chances are slim!

[@stuffandnonsense8528]

I don't think the marbling is referencing anything, marbling is a traditional technique for book decoration. However I suspect the colours were chosen for the importance of frozen watelands in the story.

[@WordsinTime]

@@stuffandnonsense8528 I think you’re right!

[@markgaskell5370]

Yes

[@WordsinTime]

@@markgaskell5370 They’re great. I have since also picked up Cat’s Cradle.

[@lonestar4378]

I was very disappointed with the vertical spine crease on Frankenstein. Poor quality control on that edition, which is otherwise excellent. Not acceptable on a book at that price. Folios have sewn bindings, so don’t worry about cracking the spine by opening it. Lovely video though.

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks! I will try not to worry but will probably still be rather careful with them haha

[@dqan7372]

Very nice! I'll definitely be picking some up...should I ever win the lottery. 😃 Will still probably spend the rest of the day deciding which ones I will get. [Yup. On the website and drooling.] Then I'll go back to searching out Kindle bargains and hoping our next dictator doesn't decide that they're too woke/not woke enough and delete/edit them. 📚

[@WordsinTime]

I’ve resisted collector’s editions for a long time because of the cost but I finally cracked haha. They do have some beautiful options to choose from.

[@dinasasanti]

I'd sell some of my sister' collection as she passed away year ago

[@WordsinTime]

@@dinasasanti Sorry to hear that! ❤️

[@TheRealPaulMarshall]

Frankenstein case: The ice at the end.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, I think you’re right. It evokes the ice and water.

[@BooksForever]

The ice is very plausible, but my first impression was of the cellular structure of the lifeless (decidedly not red) tissues from which the creature was initially made.

[@WordsinTime]

@@BooksForever I like that too!

[@TuftyMcTavish]

I’m not a Special Edition dude. Like you I’m generally cherry picking my favourite books only. It’s a very case-by-case basis over here, and so far I’ve only dipped twice. The Broken Binding keep saying SciFi is coming to their range, but we’ll see…

[@WordsinTime]

The Children of Time special edition series from Broken Binding looked nice but I’m really only interested in the first book. Will be interesting if they release more sci-fi 👀

[@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd]

very nice I might buy one of those if I had any money haha⚛😀

[@WordsinTime]

Haha yes, they are an investment. I had to save up for my favourites!

[@anthonyt1t5]

70 to 100 bucks is the only thing that holds me back from buying these. Esepcially in this economy.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, it is a big commitment!