I received a book today that was wrapped in newspaper and only newspaper no lining. The newspaper had been ripped (I'm guessing by the postal machine and in turn the outside of the book was roughed up, luckily not tore really, just the edges of the cover are peeling away a bit). The bigger issue is that the pages on the edges are gray/black from the newspaper rubbing against them and the cover is peeling off (not too sure that makes sense but the plastic like part is peeling away from the other part). Do I mark this RWAP? Is it the USPS problem since the packaging was ripped? Is it postable in this condition (even if it is I would feel uncomfortable reposting it)? What would you do? I just don't want to be too picky or anything? Is it normal to receive books wrapped in newspaper without anything lining the book to protect it from the ink?

I would mark it as RWP - damaged by sender because the sender damaged the book by wrapping it in newspaper. The wrapping guidelines specifically say not to wrap in newpaper for the reason you are seeing, the book gets damaged by the ink. You can ask for your credit back.

I would consider it stained and not postable at this point.

Agreed.  Please do call this one RWAP and ask for your credit to be returned.  This is the way PBS weeds out bad traders.

Ruth

I would mark this RWAP-damaged by sender because of the smudged ink. Here's the link to the advice against newsprint.

Ask for a credit back. See what happens. In the condition received, the book is unpostable under the no soiling/staining part.

I find it kind of curious that it says specifically if you use too much tape or press-and-seal and there's damage to the book, you won't be getting a credit, but not so for the newsprint. I've also found that brown paper bags (which are suggested as good material) similarly leave smudges because people use grocery bags with ink that smudges off, ink side facing the book with no protective wrapping. I've marked them as ok but have sent a PM to people telling them about this.

But I'm all about book salvage though. Smudged ink can probably be removed with a good vigorous eraser rub job. I'm not sure that the plastic/paper separating makes a book unpostable though.

If the ink hasn't really penetrated the paper, you can probably sand it off with fine sanding paper. This works really well to get rid of light soiling on the page edges.

If it is a permanent stain, then you should RWAP it, like others have said.