If you're trying to preserve the quality of a hardback, you set it on the spine, peel down the front and back covers while suspending the pages in your hand, then peel back a few pages on each side until you reach the middle. Then you're free to huff away.
I admit I take liberties at first but I always read them front-to-back, help them into their dust jacket and make sure they're back to the library on time.
Most of them appreciate getting their glue stretched a little after years of languishing on the bookshelf.
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