Reading Glasses - Episode 428

"Signed Copies and Protective Covers – How Precious Should You Be With Your Books?"
With hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara
September 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this philosophical and practical episode, Brea and Mallory dive deep into the emotional and logistical aspects of signed books and how to protect your precious reads. Listener questions spark discussions on whether to read, annotate, or preserve signed copies, how to verify author signatures, and the merits of protective book covers—specifically Book Beau sleeves. The hosts also share engaging book recommendations and listener stories before meticulously testing a range of book tech products. Readers who love their collections or obsess over "bookishness" will find plenty to ponder and laugh about.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Book Recommendations

(Starts ~00:44)

• Brea: Esperance by Adam Oyabanji
  A sci-fi/mystery hybrid with dual perspectives, historical mysteries, tech gadgets, and unexpected connections.

  "It has science fiction, it has a mystery, it has two perspectives...what the book ended up doing really surprised me. I loved this book. I couldn't put it down." (01:58 – Brea)

• Mallory: Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature by Patricia Ononowu Caishian
  A short, author-narrated audiobook exploring queer elements in nature and the natural world's challenge to heteronormative narratives.

  "When you look at the natural world, it's not that at all. It is actually very natural to have a more expansive view of gender and sexuality." (03:33 – Mallory)

• Both hosts express excitement for each other's picks and praise for the library as a resource.

2. Listener Feedback and Reading Philosophies

(Begins ~04:05)

• Listener Bethany shares her mother's strict reading rules: 150 pages to get hooked or DNF, reading books in TBR order, and restricting new purchases, which the hosts marvel at.

  "Imagine reading books in the order that you get them." (05:40 – Mallory)

• Canadian librarians Michael and Michelle cite the Ontario Library Association's Forest of Reading program as a rich discovery resource for award-winning, especially BIPOC-authored, books.

3. The Philosophy and Practice of Signed Books

(Main segment starts ~10:59)

• The episode's core questions:
  • Should you treat signed books as precious trophies or just read them?
  • Is it okay to annotate and personalize a signed copy?
  • Do you need both a “reading” and a “signed” copy?
  • How do you verify an author’s signature?

Philosophy of the Signed Book

• Personal vs. Trophy:
  • Brea and Mallory are not avid collectors but appreciate signed copies from friends or when paired with a meaningful event.

    "I'm not seeking it out ... but if it's right in front of me, I'll take it." (13:29 – Mallory)

  • Signed books connected to an experience are most cherished.

Reading and Annotating Signed Books

• Can You Write in Them?

  • Both say YES, especially if you’re not planning to sell them.

    "It makes it even more personalized. You're personalizing your personalized copy. This is the only book like this in the world..." (14:31 – Brea)

  • Only hold back if you intend to keep the book pristine for resale value. They poke fun at the notion of “spirited” annotation:

    "Unless you're doing something really chaotic, I think you can totally annotate a sign copy." (16:43 – Mallory)

• Alternatives to Annotating:

  • Use sticky notes, especially the see-through ones, for removable annotation (18:45 – Brea & Mallory).
  • No need to buy a “reader” and a “signed” copy ("In this economy? Good god, books are so expensive now." (19:16 – Mallory))
  • Creative options like having authors sign a tote bag or e-reader cover.

Validating Author Signatures

• Seek a “signed by the author” sticker from indie bookstores for authenticity.

  • If buying secondhand, compare online signature samples.

  • “Barnes and Noble cards you if you want to sign books because of this reason [forgery]... There's a little goblin out there signing people's books." (20:33 – Mallory)

• Rosemary’s book was signed by Mallory, who details her signature method (striking out the printed name and signing with matching ink color).

4. Are Signed Books Worth It?

• Both agree: They’re great for gifting or as mementos from special events, but don’t require precious handling unless you’re a collector or reselling.

  "If you own an object, it should be something that you can use to its fullest extent." (24:22 – Mallory)

• Lighthearted banter about “trophy shelves” and the hypothetical idea of mounting signed books like hunting trophies.

  "Should we start a side gig of making trophy plaques of books?" (24:42 – Mallory)

5. Book Tech Review: Book Beau Sleeves

(Begins ~26:06)

• Roxanne, a longtime listener, sent a range of Book Beau protective sleeves—from Kindle size to full laptop sleeves. The hosts each test all five sizes for various uses:

Book Beau Features:

• Now water-resistant, zippered, and padded (a major upgrade from older button-closure fabric versions).
• Offer sizes for everything from e-readers (Baby, Mini) to thick hardcovers or laptops (XL, Jumbo).
• Wide range of fun, distinctive designs.

Hands-on Reviews (by Size):

• Baby: Great for Kindle Paperwhite and similar e-readers, with extra space for pencils or accessories.

  "It was actually quite a bit of room and there's a lot of room at the top." (28:20 – Bria)

• Mini: Fits a wider e-reader (Kobo Libra) tightly; also suited for mass market paperbacks.

  “At this point I will say I do not travel with my Kobo unless it is in my Book Beau.” (29:49 – Mallory)

• Indie: Perfect for standard trade paperbacks or two smaller books.

• XL: Ideal for hardcovers, sci-fi “honkers,” or carrying multiple books together.

  “If you want to tote around A Court of Thorn and Roses, this is the size for you.” (31:25 – Mallory)

• Jumbo: Laptop-sized; praised for being water-resistant and helping protect expensive tech.

  “I actually think this is one I will be using a lot because...I just leave [my laptop] there, and this is how I damage all my laptops.” (32:13 – Bria)

Book Beau Evaluation:

• Hosts were near-unanimous in praise.

  "Cute, durable. I should be taking better care of my electronics. And this is something that has encouraged me to do this." (33:15 – Bria) "These are five out of five pages for me. This is honestly a tote bag essential. This is a reading essential for me." (36:43 – Mallory)

• For regular travelers, public transit readers, and anyone who “raw dogs” a book in their bag, these are invaluable.

Book Beau as Essential Book Tech?

• If you’re often carrying your books or devices in bags/totes, Book Beau or similar covers are “tote bag essential”—useful for organization as well as protection.

  “I don’t raw dog a book in my purse anymore...these are worth it.” (34:58 – Mallory)

• For at-home only readers, less necessary, but still handy for organizing or storing comics/single issues securely.

• Amusing asides on the mysterious "purse grit" and the hazards awaiting unprotected books.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Annotating Signed Books:

  "It makes it even more personalized. You're personalizing your personalized copy. This is the only book like this in the world..."
  (14:31 – Brea)

  "Authors always know when you're gonna sell a book, and we can tell when people are like, 'Oh, don't personalize it.' I'm like, oh, this is gonna be on eBay later."
  (15:03 – Mallory)

• On Book Protection:

  "This Book Beau saved my Kobo."
  (34:22 – Mallory)

• On Signed Book Collecting:

  "Should we start a side gig of making trophy plaques of books?"
  (24:42 – Mallory)

• Philosophical Take:

  "If you own an object, it should be something that you can use to its fullest extent."
  (24:22 – Mallory)

• Listener Story:

  "We both independently quoted your show in our wedding vows."
  (05:49 – Bria)

• Bookish Humor:

  "You are mostly melted chocolate with blonde hair."
  (33:38 – Mallory to Bria)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Book Recommendations: 00:44–03:55
• Listener Feedback: 04:05–09:53
• Signed Books Philosophy & Listener Questions: 10:59–25:11
  • Can you/should you write in signed books? (14:31–16:43)
  • Alternatives for annotation (18:45–19:43)
  • Verifying signatures (20:23–22:47)
• Book Tech: Book Beau Review: 26:06–40:37
  • Testing sizes and use cases (27:31–32:35)
  • Are protective covers essential? (36:43–39:16)
• Notable Tangents & Fun: Throughout, esp. 17:16–18:23 (angel couch anecdote) and 39:16–40:37 (comic book protection & partner shaming)

Conclusion & Further Engagement

The hosts conclude that while signed books can be meaningful to keep pristine, it’s ultimately up to personal philosophy: use and mark up your books if it brings you joy! For those worried about damage, the latest Book Beau sleeves make an excellent “essential” for regular book carriers. The episode blends genuine guidance with characteristic Reading Glasses humor and warmth, leaving listeners both equipped and entertained.

Contact and Community Links:

• Send book tech recommendations or thoughts on signed books: readingglassespodcast@gmail.com
• Join the Reading Glasses community on Discord and Facebook
• Show support, buy totes, and check out the store via links in the episode show notes

End Note:
“Thanks for listening, and thanks for reading!”