Books are not ash trays

[elmwood]

I buy a lot of books. I also am my local library's biggest fan. I haunt their computer system and often have books reserved while they are still at the being ordered stage, which can mean a long wait. I don't mind this, it increases the anticipation when a book by a favourite author is imminent

Comments

[faerie_writer]

Yuck. That is terrible.

[elmwood]

I can accept, even though I don't like it, that library books may pick up the smell of cigarettes if borrowed and read by a heavy smoker, but letting the ash fall into the pages is just plain inconsiderate.

[sartorias]

Oh, ugh--instant nosebleed.

[elmwood]

The state of the book is such that I might say something when I take it back. It only arrived in the library in September, but looks as if it has been there for years - someone definitely read it hard.

[anonymous]

ICK. And ARG.
On a practical level, take it outside, and holding its covers firmly open with both hands, fan that sucker in the wind several times (downwind of your house) to get as much actual ash out of it as possible. If it's still too stinky to bear, try leaving it overnight open flat in some kind of enclosed container (maybe a cardboard box) with a small low dish of regular vinegar.

[elmwood]

Thank you! I think I will try that.