Would this annoy you?

[AllTheMiniEggs]

A friend bought me a book. No special occasion, it's just one of my favourite authors. It's a signed first edition!

But...

She's written in the front cover. With biro.

Such a kind, lovely gesture - but she's RUINED the book!!!!!

Oh I'd be heartbroken! Is there no way to remove ink? Maybe a very diluted, mild cleaner, I'm sure Google would bring up some results. Failing that see if having the cover replaced is an option.
Some people just don't understand books and honestly that's okay, but I'd still be upset.

Rubbing alcohol is the first suggestion that came up on Google however I imagine it depends on the material of the cover. Is it leather, paper, plastic?

Sorry no, it's not actually on the cover, it's on the first page as you open the cover. The coloured fancy page.

I'm really sad too. It's a beautiful hardback book.

Ah bless her, what a thoughtful, kind gift. That’s what is focus on, not ‘spoiling’ the book! It’s still beautiful, it’s just truly personal to you now!

I am trying! And obviously I'm really lucky to own it at all. I'm just a bit of a book lover and this is something I could never do.

You're right though, it was a really thoughtful gift, I do love it!

Unless you plan on selling it then I don't see how she's ruined it.
I personally love finding second hand books with annotations, messages or previous owner's names written in them (particularly if they're older books) and would be thrilled to receive a book with my own little message in it!

It's a beautiful book you wouldn't have unless she gave it to you. I feel really sorry for her.
I have books that are 100+ years old, most of them have writing in them, for me it's part of their story.
How incredibly sad

I am guessing it's been sold to her without her realising what it is and without the seller knowing either otherwise she wouldn't have done so.

No she was really excited to tell me it was a first edition!

It's beautiful and I love it. Even the message itself is lovely, I'm just saying that I would never write in a book that is so precious.

I've always been a bit nerdy with books though. I absolutely love them. Bookshops are my happy place ☺️

me too, I dont think she has spoilt the book, I think she has enhanced it. I still treasure books I have been given with messages written in them 40/50/60 years ago

This is a good point. I've got some old books of my great grandmother's that my grandma has been practicing her signature in! It makes them even more special to me.

I think it's just because it's a first edition and quite rare that I was a bit 😬

I think it's lovely, someone in 100 years time will be desperate to know who the two of you are!

I don't really get the preciousness around books though; I like them when their spines get broken and pages have their corners turned. It means they've been well loved!

This.

I don’t get it, do you want to sell it? Unless you do this wouldn’t annoy me. I’m of the ‘I love books so they should be bashed and bent and loved’ rather than the ‘they should be kept pristine’ variety.

Books are meant to show signs of love over the years - your friend writing in the book sets it on its journey 😊

I love this ☺️

😱