So I totally understand that there will be times that I will receive books and they will end with me. That I will be the tipping point for the condition of the book. But, I'm currently reading a series and I just received the 5th book. All five are ending their PBS run with me. This one falls open to a certain page, and I can see the spine, but as the pages aren't coming loose my understanding is that technically it's postable. But I won't feel comfortable re-posting (if it even makes it that far).

What are the odds of getting 5 in a row from the same series? Should I stop ordering the series? Or see if I can keep my streak going? Bets, anyone?

WHy don't you check out the Damaged Books Virtual Box in the games forum. It's 2 credits to join but you get those back when you decide not the play anymore.  THey are just held in escrow incase you don't mail your books.  Basically everyone starts out listing 2 books they are willing to send. Then a random play order is given.  Each person takes a turn and requests books from the box and replaces them 2 others.  Once you request a book they are yours. It's not like the other games where they can be stolen.   So basically you trade in those unpostable books for other books you haven't read yet. 

I recently ordered the fashion series from Ellen Byerrum.  While none of htem are beat up enough where I wanted to ask for my credit back-I don't think I'll be able to repost them.  There's 6. The only one that's in really good condition is the one I found at the thrift store.  I just don't see them being postable after I read them. 

Since they are all by the same publisher, maybe the manufacture of the books isn't too good--cheap paper, bad glue, or a defect in the process.  Then if they are popular and get read a lot, they may all fall apart pretty quickly.

I hadn't thought about the publisher. 3 are from the same publisher, the other 2 are different. I passed the others on to my dad, so I know they have a good home. We'll see what happens with book 6!

Also, I've found newish and popular series books have a good chance of ending their run with me.  They seem to be more cheaply made and the spines just go fast.  I even have one that I bought new, begin and end its run with me. 

I agree with Karen. I volunteer at an FOL store. I find that the older PBs are much more likely to have tight bindings than newer ones. The only problem I can see with the older ones is that the pages are often "tanning" or yellow. Still readable, though. Also, it can be time consuming to list because almost always there is no ISBN, and one has to go through all that measuring, etc. to list it.

As for books that end their journies with me, I have received many, knowing, though that this is a used book site and that is something that is going to happen. They are always readable and conform to PBS standards. They just don't need to continue on to others.

For all the fat paperback mysteries, what is acceptable for spine wear?  There tend to be a lot of creases because of its size...

Lauren

A lot of books die in my apartment. LOL my rabbit tends to eat them. >.< and he's good at getting into things that I don't think he is able to access! grr...he ate one of my out of print books that is worth lots. LOL