The State of Books: Being Read

A set of books in use. A large-format book is open on the table, with slips of paper and notes tucked between its pages; several books are stacked nearby, with the top one open and face down; a small stack is also on the floor. The books have folded corners, cracked spines, pencil markings on the pages, and handwritten notes in the margins. These are books that have been read many times. Avoid: using brand new unopened books, arranging books neatly without signs of use, arranging by color and size, using decorative fake book boxes.

Translated from Chinese by AI.

一組正在使用中的書。桌上一本大開本的書攤開著,書頁中夾著紙條與便箋;旁邊幾本疊起來,最上面一本翻開扣著;地板上還有一小疊。書的邊角有摺痕、書脊有裂、內頁有鉛筆的畫線與空白處的手寫筆記。這些是被讀過很多次的書。避免:使用全新未拆的書、把書排列整齊沒有使用痕跡、按顏色與大小排列、使用裝飾用的假書盒。