Hardback or Paperback

[rune]

I know some may think this a strange question. But which do you prefer or which do you normally buy?

I use to always buy Hardback books when I worked full time because I was in a book club and it was cheaper to get hardback through the club.

However, now I only work PT, i can't afford to get hardback anymore. So now I am mainly a Paperback buyer.
This means of course I quite often have to wait a bit longer to get the new releases I want.

 

[Shoegaze99]

Neither.

I prefer trade paperbacks.

However, I most frequently buy mass market paperbacks for monetary reasons (though even they are getting pricy), and because they are far more "disposable" when it comes to blind purchases. They read well in bed, they can take a guilt-free beating (though I do not do this), and they take up less space.

I buy hardcovers of the most important books and/or authors to me, either via the book club or in stores. Classic works, works I go to again and again, "prestige" items, are all things I will buy in HC. Even second copies. I do not buy new release hardcovers, (pretty much) ever, because the cost is simply too high. Only after I know I love a book. I can get three to four new books for the same price, so why blow the money on something untested?

The exception is nonfiction. Most of my nonfiction is in hardcover. Always will be.

 

[Preston]

I love the feel of bending back the front cover of a Mass Market Paperback for the first time. It’s all part of the experience of reading a crisp new book. I almost always buy the Mass Markets over Hardcover or Trade. I suppose it’s mostly because of the savings, but also because of portability, and toss-around-the-house-ability. Another benefit of the paperbacks is the fact that you can always tell what books in your collection you have already read.


I’ve never quite figured out where Trade Paperbacks fit in. They are kind of like runner-up books. Not as nice as a hardcover, but still twice the price of a Mass Market.


I’ve purchased a few hardcovers, most notably my copy of LOTR which I paid $100 CDN for. Few books will I ever buy in Hardcover, but LOTR was an exception for me. It’s something I can pass on to my kids someday. A agree about Non-Fiction though, I always get those in Hardcover.


Overall, Mass Market is my clear winner. They are easier to read in bed too.

It’s too bad that books are getting so expensive. These pocketbooks are now going for up to $13 these days, and no less than $9 even for the small ones.

 

[Winters_Sorrow]

I prefer Hardbacks as they're easier to keep in good shape despite many re-readings! - my paperbacks look very shabby by comparison

 

[Neon]

I've only ever bought mass market paperbacks for the very same monetary reasons the rest of you have. But as to my preference, I like the paperback a little bit more. It's smaller and easier to handle while reading. The big hardback is nice in some respects, such as print size, but is much bulkier/heavier.

 

[hodor]

I must agree with neon, for just the reading part of it I prefer hardbacks as the large print is easier on my eyes. However, I buy mainly paperbacks as hardbacks cost more to ship and buy. They also take up far too much room.

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

I buy way too many hardbacks. I really must learn to be more patient and wait for the softabck when a new book pops up, but when it is a favourite author like Ken MacLeod, or Jeff VanderMeer I just can't wait.

I like trade paperbacks too - the size is somehow very opitmal, allowing for a nice cover layout, and a slightly bigger book than an mmpb.

I'm rather fond of collecting old SF pbacks though - the oldest thing I have is a 50s edition of Jack Vance's The Languages of Pao. I love the look of those classic cover designs!

 

[Foxbat]

I like hardbacks for the reason mentioned already - easier on the eyes, but paperbacks are definitely more convenient (and less expensive). Most of my books are paperback but there are quite a few hardcovers where impatience has got the better of me

 

[polymorphikos]

Paperbacks (especially the old Panthers and Four Squares, for some reason). They look cooler. However, I'll buy a hardback if it's a book I really like and want to keep a while. Plus hardbacks often have plates in them and lavish dust-jackets.

 

[Leto]

Paperbacks, simply a better way to stock plenty of books in a flat. Plus, you can take them without much risks in your bubble bath.

 

[The Master™]

I'll take a nice hardback, when the books are first published that I WANT (okay, need)... But I'll take paperbacks when they've been published a while...

 

[Seedorn]

I prefer Paperbacks.They`re much easier to handle,so you can read them in the bed or in the bubblebath and you can take them with you in your bag.Besides I buy 4-6 books in a month and books a very expensive in germany,especially Hardcovers.

 

[Circus Cranium]

I could go with either as far as comfort and readability. But yeah, if it's something that will end up displayed on my bookshelf, hardback. But hell yeah, they're more expensive. How bout ebooks? Has this been discussed? I get a lot of pdf files because I'm a book reviewer, but I'm starting to despise reading off the screen.

 

[Leto]

ebooks ? Yep I despise them. Useful when on business trips (got all Harry Potters and some Douglas Adams on my Mac), but a real pain to read for too long.
And you can't take them into your bath, read them confortably lying on the beach (tech devices and sand don't mix), or get them all day long picking one bit at breakfast, another one in subway or during this stupid staff meeting, Battery don't live that much. Paper on the other side don't need to be plugged...

 

[Neon]

Ugh @ ebooks. I love the computer/internet but if it's a large amount of pages to read I must have it on paper!

 

[laznlor]

I'm going with trades as favorites, but I usually end up with mass market just because they fit better in my purse. But with certain titles, I always buy mass market so that I always have a relatively cheap one to give to someone who needs to read it.

 

[rune]

Another reason i like Paperbacks is their covers They seem to have nicer cover art than hardback

 

[BAYLOR]

It depends on the book.

 

[Rodders]

E-Book for me. If i enjoy it enough, i'll get the hardback.

 

[Vince W]

The only author that is immediate HB buy for me at the moment is William Gibson. Given how little he produces it's not an issue.