Cracked Spines

Have you cracked any spines lately? Let me rephrase that, have you cracked any book spines lately? Like many of you these days, most of the books that I read are digital or eBooks. I still read soft and hard-cover books, the “old-fashion” way (I hope that you do too), and I have definitely cracked some spines, perhaps too many!

Some people purposely avoid cracked book spines or any other kind of damage to books. On the other hand, a cracked spine or things like “dog ears” might indicate a well-read book, right? Here is one writer’s take:

Dog-earing sections, leaving the book open to a chapter on the bed and cracking the spine, is all the mark of an incredible book. If I see someone reading a book in that condition, I make a note to myself to look that book up. Something kept that reader up late at night, and I want to know what it is. Don’t you?

“In Defense of the Cracked Spine,” from Natalie’s Desk, www.coffeeandabookchick.com

Like I said, I have cracked many book spines. I guess that means I have read many books! Some of those cracked spines might indicate what part of the book I find most interesting; I must have spent a lot of time in that part of the book. For example, one of my paperbacks, a book that helps me in my spiritual walk and that I’ve had for more than forty years, is cracked precisely at the chapter on “the effects of sin.” I probably spent a good amount of time in that section of the book.

How about you? What books do you read and do they have any cracked spines? Do those cracked spines tell you something about what you spend your time thinking about? Do those cracked spines tell you something about yourself, about your life? If you are an e-reader, perhaps there are “e-cracks” that say something about you, something about where you are and where you’ve been, and even perhaps where you are going. “E-cracks” are a little harder to spot, but — believe me — they are there.