Hannah Young

Hey, I've got a bunch of paperbacks too, and yeah, that yellowing is a pain. What worked for me was boxing them up in those archival boxes, but keep 'em in a spot that's not too hot or damp. I mean, my basement was a no-go because of the moisture, so I stuck them in a closet upstairs but then works great. Also, try to handle them less, you know? The oils from your hands can speed up the aging. And if you can, keep the room's temperature steady, not swinging all over the place. I noticed a big difference after doing that, pages stayed whiter longer. Oh, and dusting them gently every few months helps too, just with a soft cloth or something.

On planes I reach for fast puzzle mysteries that end chapters on little cliffhangers and keep that model suspect list tight. Closed circle setups on that model train or an island and locked room novellas, and cat and mouse thrillers with an unreliable narrator all tend to stay twisty without dragging so yeah... look for mass market or pocket paperbacks since they are feather light and usually under twenty, and you can also find slim novella collections that slip in that model jacket pocket. Easy toss-in.

Hey and tbh small apartment dust issues, I get it, mine's the same way... What I do is jam the books in there real close, like no gaps at all, and that stops a lot of dust from sneaking in. Paperbacks and hardcovers mixed? No problem, stand 'em up straight and push 'em together. I moved my shelf outta the path of the AC vent, and bam, way less dust buildup. Cleaning wise, I grab a microfiber thingy and dust weekly, it's quick. For the books, brush from spine to edge, easy peasy. If they're glossy, damp cloth super light, dry fast. Leather? Something pH-balanced, not too much. Skip sprays, they make it worse sometimes. Yeah, that's my hack, keeps everything tidy without much fuss.

Yes, ask once with comp data, then accept or walk.