Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme that was created and hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books and then cohosted with Dani @ Literary Lion. It is currently hosted by Aria @ Book Nook Bits and Dini @ dinipandareads. This meme has a discussion format, where participants get to talk about certain topics, share opinions, and spread the blogging love by visiting other posts. You can learn more about this meme here!

Hi readers! 👋

I know, I know—this post is coming a bit late. Life and work have been hectic lately, but I’m finally catching my breath and sitting down to talk about something fun and very bookish.

You know the feeling—you’re browsing a bookstore, and there it is. A book you already own, but… this edition is different. A stunning new cover, maybe gold-foiled edges, clothbound, or even signed by the author. And suddenly, you’re justifying why it’s totally reasonable to own yet another copy.

Sound familiar?

Let’s dive into this week’s bookish confession—and celebration: owning multiple copies of the same book.

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Why Do We Own More Than One Copy?

For most readers, it starts innocently enough. You buy a paperback. You read it. You love it. Later, you see a hardback anniversary edition with beautiful artwork or a clothbound version with an elegant spine, and think, “Why not?” Before you know it, you’re a collector.

For me, the reasons vary. Sometimes it’s sentimental—I want to keep the original copy I first read, even if I buy a new one. Other times, it’s about aesthetics. I genuinely love books that feel like art. I’m a total sucker for special editions, illustrated versions, clothbound classics, and especially hardcovers. There’s something about hardcovers that just makes a library look more put-together and timeless. They have such a strong, clean presence on the shelf—and yes, I 100% judge a shelf by its covers!

There’s also a practical side. A smaller paperback for travel, a hardback for home, maybe even an audiobook for multitasking days. Having a story available in different formats can actually enhance the reading experience.

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Do you have multiple copies of any books?

Yes! A surprising number, actually. It wasn’t intentional at first, but now I kind of enjoy it—it feels like curating a mini-museum of my favorite reads.

What makes you want to get more than one copy of a certain book?

Definitely the cover design, illustrations, or if the edition has something unique—like a foreword by the author, annotations, or beautiful typography.

I especially love clothbound editions and hardcovers—they’re so elegant, sturdy, and make my bookshelf look extra cozy and intentional. I also sometimes buy copies in other languages when I travel—it turns a book into both a story and a keepsake.

What books do you have multiple copies of?

Most of the books I own multiple copies of are English classics, especially from the Penguin Clothbound Classics collection. I absolutely love the aesthetic of those editions—the textured covers, the intricate patterns, and how they look all lined up on a shelf. They add such a timeless charm to my library, and I can never resist picking up a new one, even if I already own the story in another format.

Here are a few titles I have in multiple editions:

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – My favorite clothbound edition sits proudly on my shelf, alongside a paperback I’ve reread many times.
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde – I have both a Penguin Clothbound and a dramatic hardcover edition with gothic cover art.
• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson – Again, the clothbound version is a favorite, but I also have a smaller, more portable edition for travel.
• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll – I love collecting illustrated editions of this one, and the clothbound version is a standout in my collection.

Outside of the classics, I’ve also found myself collecting a few modern favorites:

• Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice – I have an older paperback and a newer hardcover with beautiful artwork. This book just has such a lasting atmosphere.
• The Shadowhunters series by Cassandra Clare – I own the original covers, and I’ve slowly started collecting the new editions because… well, I can’t resist pretty covers.
• A Love So Beautiful by Zhao Qianqian – I own both the original Chinese edition and the English translation. It’s such a heartfelt story, and I love having it in both languages.

Collecting different versions of the same book isn’t just about the cover (though that definitely plays a part!)—it’s about the feeling each edition brings. Whether it’s the texture of a clothbound classic, the nostalgia of an old paperback, or the excitement of a newly released edition, each copy holds a little piece of my reading journey.

Are there any books you want to get more copies of in the future?
Oh yes—definitely! I’d love to add more clothbound and hardcover editions to my collection, especially of the classics. At the top of my wishlist are:

• Dracula by Bram Stoker – preferably a beautiful clothbound or gothic-style hardcover.
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – I’d love a special edition with illustrations or unique design details.

I’m also on the lookout for a good edition of The Complete Sherlock Holmes—something hardcover and elegant that does justice to the iconic detective. And as a mystery lover, I’d really love to collect more Agatha Christie, especially books featuring Hercule Poirot. A nice set of matching hardcovers would be a dream!

There’s just something about owning these classics in a beautiful edition that makes the reading experience even more enjoyable—and they look stunning on the shelf, too

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Books are more than just stories—they’re physical objects that carry memories, art, emotion, and inspiration. And when you really love a story, owning more than one version doesn’t feel excessive—it feels right.

So now I want to know: Do you have multiple copies of any books? Which ones—and why? Drop a comment below or message me—let’s swap collector stories! 💬✨

Until next time, happy reading!