Hardback or Paperback ?

[hedgeknight]

I currently have more hardbacks than paperbacks for one reason and one reason only: I buy 'em cheap! eBay, yard sales, used book stores - there's no way in heck I'm gonna pay 24+ bucks on a hardback that I can get six months later for half that. Oh, and then I ask for books for Christmas! Like I said, I'm a cheapo.
-g-

 

[kyektulu]

Like Nixie I also spend more than I can really afford on books so I mainly buy paperbacks.
Although if there is a book im desprate to read I will buy it in hardback form as sometimes they come out in hardback a month or 2 b4 they come out in paperback.
If there is a signing of a book near me from an author I love I will have to buy it in hardback...

 

[Sahara Star]

I prefere paperback but hardbacks are excepted to. The hardbacks are just to exspensive where I live.

 

[Saeltari]

I like paperback because they are easier to carry when travelling. However, if an author I really like comes out with a new book in Hardcover I buy it. This is because I am impatient and don't like waiting. I think overall, though, I prefer paperback. I also read a lot of ebooks. There is a huge difference between lugging around 100 paperbacks or hardbacks and a laptop with 100 ebooks on it.

 

[wildbill333]

I prefer paperback but mainly because they cost less and weigh less and because I already have enough garbage to carry around all day every day.
but if they only have it in hardback when i go to buy it i will settle. Im am very leaniant.

 

[nixie]

I always carry a book I buy handbags that are big enough to hold hardbacks...Mind you they soon need replacing as the weight of the book wears out the straps

 

[scalem X]

must be handy when you are mugged.

 

[nixie]

Mugged? they can have my money just don't touch my books

 

[scalem X]

I meant that handbags containing hardbacks can become a weapon. Also when they try to steal your handbag, the weight might surprise them and they will consider dropping your bag after a few meters of running.

 

[Reader]

Paperback=cheaper, take smaller space, universal!

Hardcover=Expensive, big, heavy, unpractical...but gorgous and a showpiece!

 

[fallenstar]

Paperback is cheap, light and easy to carry, but it's so easy to wreck. Hardcover is better but heavy and big to carry.

Personally I perfer paperback just because it's smaller and lighter, but it annoys me when I wreck it in my backpack or accidentally leave a mark on it (after that comes immediately the urge to buy a new one, and then my thoughts turn to my empty wallet)...

 

[GrownUp]

You can't read a hardback in bed. You can't lie on your back and read. My arms get tired, and then I try to relax on one side and get a pointy book-corner in my face.

 

[StevenSavile]

I love both for different reasons. Obviously the longevity of the hc appeals, as does the portability of the paperback. For a new writer I have never read I am loathe to risk the cash involved in the hardcover and will opt for the paperback every time...

The one format I am not a fan of is the tradepaper size - and that of course is the one that makes the most money for the publisher!

 

[alyson]

I really don't mind whether books have a hard cover or paperback, but I do object to the wide variety of shapes and sizes. I like books by an author to sit together on the shelf, and this isn't possible when I mix editions and formats. So I think I'd go for the small and compact version whenever possible. Incidently, my paperback copy of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell fell apart before I'd finished it - very annoying!

 

[Stenevor]

Maybe if I made some effort at displaying them instead of leaving them lying around in random piles I would buy hardbacks. As it is I just go for the cheapest option, usually paperback although ive a few hardbacks, some bought 2nd hand.

 

[sanityassassin]

My prefrence is for paperbacks for conveniance. I also like big pockets so I can fit in a bit of reading while traveling

 

[Nokia]

It would have been interesting to make a poll for this.

I always go for paperback just cos it's cheaper and easier to carry. Hardback seems so clunky.

 

[orionsixwings]

Since I cannot afford to buy hardbound books, I settle for Paperback. But I would love to have a hardbound collection of Tolkien's books, as well as Philip Pullman's HDM series, and Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series. Absolutely adore Robert Langdon. *sidenote - I always pictured Jeff Goldblum, but Tom Hanks is ok.*

 

[Nokia]

OK I'm bored so I counted the results so far:
Hardback 6, Paperback 24.

I think price and unflexibility were the main reasons.

 

[GrownUp]

And pointy corners. Don't forget pointy corners.