Like much of the midwest and east, in Michigan we are experiencing temperatures hovering around zero degrees. Yesterday I brought in a book from my mailbox that had been there for hours and when I opened the book the book cracked into two halves along the spine. The book was frozen solid and the spine glue just shattered from the stress of being flexed.

From now on when it is this cold I will let my books come to room temperature before opening them to avoid any more mishaps and I recommend that others experiencing the cold do the same.

Oh my gosh, Sally, I'm sorry that happened!  We're in the deep freeze Midwest and I had 6 books arrive yesterday that were outside all day.  I didn't have time to open them when I got home from work so they sat in the house for 4+ hours before I opened them - good thing!  Thanks for sharing your experience.

Thanks for the tip, Sally.  That would never have occurred to me!

That's so sad, Sally!  Thanks for sharing.  I would imagine that it would be easier for a frozen package to be damaged by the USPS, as well.

Thank you for sharing. So sorry you had to learn the hard way.

Thanks for the tip!  We don't often have extended freezing weather, but something to think about when we do

I would imagine that it would be easier for a frozen package to be damaged by the USPS, as well.

Patty, you are so right! I should have known better and unfortunately, it also means that there might be an upswing in RWAPS from people not realizing that the extreme cold can put more-than-normal stresses on book bindings and that if a binding cracks from the exteme cold it is not the sender's fault, just something that can happen.

That happened to me with a book that I received last year.  Was so upset!  Luckily my DH glued it back together for me so I could at least read it.  Of course, I didn't re-post it.

WOW , never even thought about something like that happening Sally......

I'm in Michigan too ,its freezing. Yesterday when my daughter left for school it was -1...brrrrrr

wow, another weather related book death!

I have been in the middle of the Minnesota deep freeze. I hadn't thought of that either. Any books I get generally sit on the kitchen tablefor a while before I get home

*stepping into the color-me-clueless line*

Thanks for sharing that, Sally.  That never would have occurred to me either!  Good tip.

OMG - like everyone else here, I never heard of that happening or would think about it. Luckily, I'm usually too busy to open up my book packages until a day or two has gone by so they are nice and toasty by then. I'm in Wiscnosin and we are all freezing!

Not sure it would help, but another member posted about using an iron to remelt binding glue and fix the spine on some books here.

Might be worth a try.  Stay warm!

Thanks for sharing that info.

Sorry you found out the hard way but it'll help those of us who are living in the deep-freeze from having that happen.

I have to know.  Was it a paperback or hard cover?

Thanks.  Useful info to remember

Jonnie, the one that broke on me was a paperback.

Good tip. Thanks.