Pages coming loose/binding look ragged on paperback and hardback edition 0

[Hewitt]

On one of my paperbacks, some pages are on the verge of falling out near the front, and the binding looks damaged. (First picture is from this book). This is only for a few pages at the front though - for the rest of the book, this isn’t happening.
 

I’m also concerned about one of my hardbacks. Between 2 pages at the front and back, there’s a bit of a gap (picture 2 and 3) Again, though, other pages appear to be fine.

 

My OCD is going haywire with this. Anyone know what’s causing it?

 

Edited June 21, 2020 by Hewitt

[marvelmaniac]

I cannot really answer your questions since paperbacks and hardcover books are not put together like comic books, however...

https://www.google.com/search?q=front+pages+coming+loose+from+books&oq=front+pages+coming+loose+from+book&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j33.10656j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[theCapraAegagrus]

Either bad stitching/glue, or, it's just coming unglued. It happens. Sewn books are usually preferred because it's less of an issue.

Your hardcover will likely be fine.

[William-James88]

On 6/21/2020 at 6:59 AM, Hewitt said:

My OCD is going haywire with this. Anyone know what’s causing it?

 

Yeah, cheap binding. Paperbacks, just as the pulps of the past, are made cheaply. happens to some of mine as well.

[Turnando]

When this happens to books that I like to read and don't consider to be collectible or otherwise historically significant I fix them by regluing the separated part of the binding with contact cement.  I use a tooth pick to apply it very carefully to the binding.

I got a good deal on an old out of print motorcycle maintenance manual because the binding was coming unglued and it looked horrible.  It looks great now and is totally useable after I took the contact cement to it.