[xghostsniperx]

So far I have all three paperbacks of the Icewind Dale trilogy, but I was looking around and found that basically every trilogy Salvatore has wrote is in a collector's three-in-one edition, and the collector's editions were WAY cheaper.

However, I remember buying the paperback Lord of the Rings book (right when the movies came out) that was an "all in one" book--and it was bent to heck after the first day of reading. I try to keep my books in near perfect shape, so if they're really easily bent or if the cover can curve a lot, I don't want them--I'll just buy the seperate paperbacks.

Can anyone give me some info or an opinion?

[Erfael]

The bigger a book, the harder it is to get it in a binding that will keep nicely. But as you said, the omnibus editions are cheaper. So take all that info and make your own decision.

[Rob B]

I haven't any of The Dark Elf Trilogy, but even with paperbacks and omnibuses available a little cheaper, I still plan on getting the newly released hardcovers with the great Todd Lockwood artwork.

[Wulfa_Jones]

It really depends where your going to read them.... the single books are quite small - easy to carry and read on the bus, on the train, in work etc. The omnibus editions are a little more on the chunky side.

Other than that... it makes no real difference other than cost.

[JJ_99uk]

I'm another one who likes to keep books perfect - I've had the hardback collector's edition of the dark elf trilogy and that's stood up to reading well, but I found the big paperback collector's editions always seem to get battered no matter how hard I try to keep them perfect. So I'd say buy the hardback single volume, or the individual paperbacks, but don't get a paperback collector's edition unless you don't plan on actually reading it :)

[Wulfa_Jones]

I don't understand this keeping books in perfect... most of my books end up looking battered by the time I've finished reading them. I bend the spine on the majority of pages so it stays flat on my desk when I read in work and the edges get tattered from being tossed around in my bag.

I read for enjoyment and so if being in a comfortable position requires me to bend the book I will do.

Plus I think it gives a book a bit of character if's it a little worn.

Of course this really only goes for paper backs as hard backs are little more sturdy.

[xghostsniperx]

I don't understand this keeping books in perfect... most of my books end up looking battered by the time I've finished reading them. I bend the spine on the majority of pages so it stays flat on my desk when I read in work and the edges get tattered from being tossed around in my bag.

I read for enjoyment and so if being in a comfortable position requires me to bend the book I will do.

Plus I think it gives a book a bit of character if's it a little worn.

Of course this really only goes for paper backs as hard backs are little more sturdy.

Well, I'm just anal about the quality of my books.

I want them to look like I just bought them, or as good as possible. I hold my books in a "V" position, just enough to see every word on the page and so there's no shadow on the words closet to the spine.

And this may seem pathetic, but I usually take about three textbooks and stack them on the books and it makes any slight curves dissapear and the books look new.

[Self]

I also like to look after my books. I have books bought in the 80's that have been read 10 times plus that are in mint condition. No-one wants to borrow my books because they can't keep the same standards. I wouldn't lend my books to many people for this reason. People who dog ear pages, put the book face down with the pages open etc - it's a small step to book burning in my opinion and I can't watch this book abuse!!! I had to train my wife out of the habit to save the marriage - perhaps I do have a problem....

[cheese]

I also like to look after my books. I have books bought in the 80's that have been read 10 times plus that are in mint condition. No-one wants to borrow my books because they can't keep the same standards. I wouldn't lend my books to many people for this reason. People who dog ear pages, put the book face down with the pages open etc - it's a small step to book burning in my opinion and I can't watch this book abuse!!! I had to train my wife out of the habit to save the marriage - perhaps I do have a problem....

Exactly the same here. well I dont have a wife yet :D...Im too over protective of my books compared to most peoples standards. I had a nightmare a couple of days ago that all my books were burning down in a fire. Worst dream of my life :D.. I remember one particular bad experience about 3 months ago when I lent a book to my younger brother James (12 years old). I gave a mint condition book to him with a pretty nice book mark I got in Tofino B.C.. When I got the book back there was food marks all over it and he ate half of the book mark. There was chew marks all over it :eek:

Oh and about the Drizzt series it totally depends on your opinion. If you want to save a bit of money but have books that will bend and have marks on the spine get the all in one trilogy. Personally I would get the seperate books because I like maintaining the condition of the book.

[bossfan2000]

Also...if you are a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy bookblub (SFBC), they have all of the Salvatore omnibuses in hardcover. I got them most of them free for joining up. Havent read most of them yet...but i think a couple are paperback only in stores..SFBC has exclusive hardcovers in 2 of them (I think).

Some say the binding on the SFBC books is not quite as good as normal publishers, but i havent had a problem yet. Though, after finding abebooks and alibris online, i am buying more and more from those 2 instead of SFBC.