Do You Buy Hardcover or Paperback?

I've been purchasing solely paperbacks because its chaeper. Longevity of my books isn't a problem for me since I take exceptional care of my books (they look essentially brand new) which is an advantage of hardcover's durability.

What format do you like and why?

I see about 1/4th hard-cover and 3/4ths softcover in the stacks off here to my left. I buy according to topic and/or author I am interested in, occasionally on impulse, and they come in whatever form they do.
Peder

I usually buy paperback, partly due to the fact that they aren't as cumbersome to carry around and also because they are cheaper, on the whole. There are a few exceptions, ie, Harry Potter. Even though I have most of the series in paperback, I plan on getting each of the books in hardcover, eventually

I mostly buy trade sized paperbacks due to the fact that my local used book store has such a good deal on them 3 books for $6 and my library has paperbacks 3 for $1.

I only buy hard covers of stuff I really like when I see them on sale.

Otherwise it's paperback.

I buy paperback as they're smaller, lighter and easier to carry around in my bag. I always feel like I have to sit at a table to read a hardback, I don't know why Whereas with a paperback, I can curl up on the sofa with a glass of wine whilst reading, much better

I like hardbacks better, just the look and feel, but refuse to pay full price. Its just too much. I think twice in my life I've actually paid book store full price. I do manage to run into lots of hardbacks on sale between the library sales, and the second hand book store here (2 actually), one sells hardbacks at 3.00 US and the other 1.75 US. I do have lots of trade paper backs and regular mass market paperbacks as well. But if I see a HB on sale that I have in paper, I buy it to replace. Of course theres Amazon.


Of course when I first started buying paperbacks when I was a kid, they were .75 (cents). You know back in the stone age. I think they are outrageously priced now.

I mostly buy hardbacks, but only if they're used or "bargain priced" rarely would I buy a hardcover book at new price unless it's the latest book from Stephen King or some other book that looks relentlessly tempting.

Given the choice, if money is no object, then always paperback (unless it's a book where illustrations matter). It's more handy, it's more readable, and I feel less guilty when I crack the spine, dogear the pages, jot down notes in the margin, swat flies with it or tear out the empty pages in the back whenever I need a sheet of paper.

Oh, and trade paperbacks? Hate'em. As unwieldy as harcovers, yet as fragile as paperbacks. The worst of two worlds. Silly format.

Always paperbacks. They're cheaper, often better looking, no annoying dust-cover that you don't know where to put while you're reading the book, you can take them anywhere, you can read them anywhere because they don't weigh a ton, and also, I like the fact that you can see that they've been read (unless they belong to sly ) Although I agree with beergood, trade paperbacks are the instrument of the devil .

Optimist - you're 17 - how often do you curl up in the sofa with a glass of wine??? You make me worry, girl!

most of my novels have softcovers ( fortunately they still look good )...the only hardcover books i have were gifts from my parents...

pink shadow said:

Optimist - you're 17 - how often do you curl up in the sofa with a glass of wine??? You make me worry, girl!

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Haha! Almost 18! A glass of wine can't hurt! It's usually when I'm in on a Friday or Saturday night, bliss!

i prefer hardbacks, and buy most of them used

Paperbacks all the way. I have eight books in my backpack right now, all paperbacks, and I know that if they were hardcovers my spine would explode.

~Josh

I tend to sell or swap (usually the latter) my books, and hardbacks cost too much postage.

I don't really like hard cover. They are harder to read.
I generally prefer soft cover...and its cheaper!

Lani

I purchase hardcovers only if:

-I really enjoy the author's works

-The price is considerably reduced/part of a "bargain bin"

-A hardcover has better artwork than a softcover.

Otherwise, it's usually paperback for me.

Thoroughly depends. I'll buy a hardcover if it's a remainder or I can get it on eBay at a price I can afford. I'll also buy hardcovers for what I call my 'core library'. For example I am trying to get all of Dickens' works in hardcover, specifically the Everyman Library printings. The Everyman printings are so impressive. Cloth hardbounds printed on acid free paper with print that is sharp and well spaced. The folds in the cloth over the hardcover are all perfectly straight. Yes I held a straight edge to a copy of Great Expectations just to make sure. I'm not sure all Everyman book is printed and bound in Germany but mine are. Yes they are around $30 a pop but as far as books go they're near indestructable. Unless you count the waterproof/tearproof erotica you can buy.

I have all the major Dostoevsky novels in trade paperback, excluding The Gambler & The Double which have not yet been printed to trade. These particular translations have not been printed in mass.

Most often my preference is trade. Contrary to what has been said previously trade paperbacks on the whole are more durable than mass markets and they enjoy the margins and type spacing of a hardcover so they're easier on the eyes for longer reads. Also, aesthetically they're more pleasing to me.

Most often my preference is trade. Contrary to what has been said previously trade paperbacks on the whole are more durable than mass markets and they enjoy the margins and type spacing of a hardcover so they're easier on the eyes for longer reads. Also, aesthetically they're more pleasing to me.

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I agree. For me, trade paperbacks are my prime choice. I try to order all of my books in trade paperback.

The only hardcover books I have ever purchased are the Harry Potter ones and Palindrome Hannah. I just find paperbacks to be so much more comfortable to read with, and a lot easier to carry. I also agree with pink shadow - I like to see that my books have been read and loved (I always feel really guilty if I crease the spine myself, though, because I've always been taught not to, but I lend them to my brother quite a lot and he has no trouble doing that ). I do have a few hardcover books on my bookshelf that have been gifts, though.