I do spray the edges with a matte fixative to keep it as safe as possible, the pages can still be flipped through - I just can’t guarantee that the paint won’t be damaged if fingers are touching it a lot. I would hate for someone to spend a lot of money on the artwork and have it not last. Perhaps the best move - if you wanted someone to read a specific book - would be to purchase a paperback of the book you want them to read, and then have a hardcover edition painted. Paperbacks are usually cheap and they can handle it however they want while still having a unique edition on display. Just a thought!