These highly decorative books are the ones you would see first when entering a bookstore. I really just pass them by, almost in a reflexive way, now. I shouldn’t despise them, since the flashy covers might make some people think that some such cover designs entail sophistication. I mean, surely a sophisticated classic would have a sophisticated cover design. I have come to realize the most sophisticated books are the printings with the most hideous covers, and the ones with the bindings that would put the page holders of a book stand under excessive stress. The book must be difficult to handle; then you know it’s good.

No, that’s not quite right. I know of a few series of books that have consistent cover designs and bindings of good quality that are pleasant to read in all meaningful measures. Both in a tactile sense and for the printed text as well.