Condition guide
Picking the right condition when you list a book, and knowing what you're buying on someone else's. When in doubt, go with whichever feels more honest than flattering: buyers trust listings more when the book turns up exactly as described.
No visible creases on the spine or cover, and nothing to suggest it's ever really been opened and read. A book bought and never got round to, a duplicate copy, or a genuinely careful single read that left no trace all belong here.
Creases on the spine: the ordinary, honest sign that a book has actually been read. Still fully intact and comfortable to read again, with no missing pages, no loose binding, and nothing beyond the normal wear of a book that's done its job.
Clearly loved. Dog-eared pages, maybe some underlining or margin notes, more noticeable wear on the cover or spine. Still a complete, readable copy, just one with some history in it.
Damaged isn’t a condition. If a book has missing pages, water damage, or anything else beyond wear, it doesn’t fit any of these. Say so clearly in your listing notes instead, so a buyer isn’t caught off guard.