>>i take guidebooks in pieces.. i rip out the sections i want and throw them away after use, or take them home and reglue the book if i think i will return<<

I do this too. The only problem is not having a stapler to staple the loose pages together! I need to remember to either pack a tiny stapler or clips to hold the loose pages.

I've been using The Rough Guide for the past few years. Sometimes it has helpful photography tips. National Geographic does to.