Wednesday, 1 June 2011

Book Porn: The Folio Society

Don't judge books by their covers, we're told. But, Jeez, when they are THIS pretty it's really hard. Don't get me wrong, I love all my books equally (as you'll see in our sexy, sexy book this winter), but I love their covers just as much. A really good cover perfectly encapsulates the way a brilliant book feels when reading it: witchy, entrancing, funny, thought provoking or just plain gorgeous.

If you thought Penguin's recent editions were to die for, then you'll have a coronary over the ne plus ultra of book porn at The Folio Society.




To Kill A Mockingbird, £24.95

God, I really could go on for hours - if you want to waste a good half hour in joyous contemplation of Hot Stuff, head straight for their website.


Dracula, £28.95

The Lost World, £24.95

Publishing everything from religion, philosophy, humour and myths to biography and children's literature, all in the most mouthwatering, covetable covers, The Folio Society sells classic works at investment prices. Think £22 for a copy of The Picture of Dorian Grey, but with beautiful watercolour illustrations and a ravishing (and meaningful) cover.

Lord of the Flies, £24.95

Cover Her Face, £24.95

Each book also comes with a beautifully-written introduction from a fan, anyone from Doris Lessing to Simon Callow. I'm actually crying on the phone to my bank manager right now about my desperate need to acquire Under Milk Wood and Alison Uttley but DON'T PANIC YET - you can score incredibly cheap Folio Society books on eBay.

They've been going since 1947 so this is also where to go to hunt down the out of print editions - I've bought a cheapo version of their after-dinner stories and have just put a bid on a ludicrously seductive edition of John Donne's prose. Woof.


To lure in book porn enthusiasts (such as myself, natch) they frequently do excellent introductory offers in the glossier Sunday papers - I'm not going to lie, I would eat a banana for this exquisite set of fairy stories (£19.99 instead of £180) - but if you don't trust yourself to be roped into buying four books before September, treat yourself to just the one. So whether you're nuts for Miss Marple, Iris Murdoch, Richard Dawkins, pick a favourite. If ever there was a time to judge a book by its cover, that time is now.

*tucks tongue back in mouth demurely*
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3 comments:

  1. Alexandra Sheppard1 June 2011 at 15:22

    These are all 100% fit, but the Dracula one is especially gorgeous. Could quite easily blow £100 on these...

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  2. Sian Meades1 June 2011 at 15:29

    Loving the To Kill a Mockingbird one. As Alex put it: FIT.

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  3. Mr Omneo3 June 2011 at 00:39

    I've been an member of the Folio Society for more years than I care to remember.

    When I started the idea was to have a paperback for commuting and a Folio edition for home has turned into a Kindle for commute but it's still a Folio for home.

    I tend to give a lot of books as gifts and few book lovers are disappointed with a well made book.

    The also do a range of limited editions which can range from £95 to £7,895. Last year I treated myself to the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám and this year I've bought Candide primarily for Quentin Blake's illustrations.

    I do love me a good book and the Folio Society is a great place to find them.

    ReplyDelete

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