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Smiling Shelves

Do Your Series Have to Match?

7/27/2017

5 Comments

 
I'm sure most of us book lovers collect series, or even just books by the same author. How important is it to you to have the covers match throughout the series?

I didn't think it mattered to me at all. The words inside were more important, right? But I've just recently discovered that it matters more than I thought. In May, I bought a copy of The Mysterious Howling, which is the first book in The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series by Maryrose Wood. This is the cover I have:​
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Last month, my husband gave me $15 to spend on books on our Amazon order. I found a good deal on a hardcover book I wanted, and had about $4 to spare to buy the second book of the series, The Hidden Gallery. But at some point, the series had been reprinted and the covers had changed. I wanted the one that matched the first book that I already owned. It looks like this:​
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But for some reason, that version was about $10, while the reprinted edition was on sale for $3. The reprinted cover looks like this:​
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I went with the reprinted cover, because I couldn't justify spending seven more dollars on a book just for a different cover. I didn't think it would matter, until I got the book in the mail. I just like the original cover so much better - and I really want my books to match! - that I will probably end up buying that version at some point in the future. So I guess if I'm willing to buy a book twice just to have matching covers, then it matters way more than I thought it did.
So how about you? Do you want series covers to match, or are you okay with mismatched books?
5 Comments
Christine @Buckling Bookshelves link
7/27/2017 09:53:40 am

I can go both ways on this. I mostly prefer matching, especially if I'm picking up a series all in one go -- but it's usually not a big deal if some of my books end up mismatched, especially if used books are involved. For example, I picked up a book at the used bookstore that was in the middle of a series and when I went and ordered the rest, they were all newer editions. In that case, I really didn't feel a need to go and replace that one used book.

On the other hand, I have picked up copies of classics I already had because I liked a newer edition better (or it was illustrated!) but in most of those cases I've gone ahead and donated the duplicate. These aren't typically series, but you know all the different (gorgeous!) lines of classics they keep coming out with.

Specifically about Incorrigible Children, when I ordered those books on Book Outlet (still need to read them!) I opted for all the newer covers so they would match (though book 5 is a chunky hardcover instead of a paperback!), even though I like the older covers better. To the best of my knowledge, there was an illustrator change-over midway through the series, so all the inside artwork is the same regardless of which edition you buy, but the new illustrator did go back an create new covers for the older books that she did not fully illustrate. However anyone feels about it -- it can definitely be confusing!

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Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
7/27/2017 08:57:05 pm

I think I knew they switched illustrators halfway through the series, but I didn't realize the new illustrator redid the other covers. That makes sense of why they're different. I'm guessing that means I won't be able to get the style of cover I like on the second half of the series, so I shouldn't worry about this book so much.

Since I posted this, I looked through my shelves and realized this wasn't the first time I replaced an unmatching book in a series. I have all of Adriana Trigiani's Big Stone Gap series in paperback now, but I originally bought the third book in hardcover and later replaced it with a paperback. At least they were all used, so it didn't cost me too much.

You really need to read the Incorrigible Children, Christine! You will absolutely love this series!

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Christine @Buckling Bookshelves link
7/27/2017 09:39:06 pm

Yup! I'm pretty sure it's book 5 & 6 (not out yet) that no Jon Klassen cover exists for. I'm pretty sure it's only 1-3 that had Klassen inside and out -- even book 4 that DOES have a Klassen cover, has the new illustrator' artwork inside!

AND I didn't even remember correctly what I did when I first commented now I pulled them down off the shelf! Apparently I wanted inside and outside artwork to match more than I wanted all the covers to match each other, so I got Klassen covers for 1-3 and the new illustrator for 4-5. Alright, now I've thoroughly confused myself, I'll stop LOL

Lindsey link
7/27/2017 01:18:03 pm

I'm fine with mismatched books, but it drives my best friend crazy! I have series that are a mix of hardcover and paperback and some that are a mix of hardcover and ARCs. My one exception is the Flavia de Luce books, which was somewhat of a random thing since I found a bunch of them together at a library book sale.

If there is a series or author I really love, I will collect multiple editions. I have several different versions of Madeleine L'Engle and F. Scott Fitzgerald books.

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Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
7/27/2017 08:53:11 pm

I can understand collecting multiple editions of books you love. I can easily see myself doing that with some of my favorites.

I don't know how you mix hardcover and paperback in a series. That would definitely drive me crazy! :)

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    My name is Julie, and I own a lot of books. As in, they are stacked on the floor because I've run out of room on the shelves. And those shelves? There are so many books on them that they smile -- not sag; smile. This blog will cover book reviews and all manner of other bookish things.

    You can contact me at julie@smilingshelves.com.

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