[Killer Chicken]

Hi I'm a new memeber here on your disscusion board. I have really enjoyed reading all of your posts and seeing people's opinions in a different light. So therefore I have decided to join in myself. To start, I must ask you all a question. I have been reading fantasy books for a long time. I was wondering what your thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of buying hardcover books. Because I rarely buy hardcovers myself, which really annoys me when I have to wait a long time for books to come from hardcover to paperback. But they are really expensive!!! Could you enlighten me as to which you prefer and why? Thank you for your input.

[Rhaegar]

Welcome, Killer Chicken. Did you by any chance choose your name while reading Terry Goodkind's SOUL OF THE FIRE? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

To answer you question, I never hesitate to buy hardcovers if the book in question is something special. Like GRRM's ASoIaF. I generally purchase the lesser authors in paperback.

[Sammie]

Hardbacks are prettier. But i'm on a student income, so I buy paperbks unless i simply can't BEAR to wait for a book to be out n paperbk. Therefore, many of the series I own start out in paperbk for the 1st few, then I have hardbks as I caught up with the publisher. Sammie.

[Cadfael]

Welcome KillerChicken, enjoy the forum.

I always go for hardcover over paperback, I am a member of a SF & Fantasy book club, and I get some really good deals... I got all three Runelord books for £20, it would have cost me over £45 in the bookstores in town.

Hardcover books are a bit more durable, and the need to be in my house... there are another two fantasy fans under the same roof.

[polgara]

I was once a junior member(sigh) the good old days
Oh sorry! Im Pol im the yougest member on the forum im 14 and have been readin fantasy since i was 8
I prefere paperbacks because you can take them in the bath!

[azaz]

Well I've only been reading Fantasy for just over a year know. I buy Paperback's as there are so many books I haven't read and are recommended. But I like to buy ongoing series which I like in Hardback as they are normally easily available and they will last longer, also there are books I can't wait to be released, and I'm not gonna wait a year for it to come out in Paperback. Plus the HB look better on my shelfs, and if the series makes a big hit later on, the first HB edition can be worth quite abit. If there was only a few print run in First edition.

[Hobbit]

Repeat earlier comments really. HB's are built to last, and a good idea if you can bear others to read them, or you want to reread them again yourself. If you are quick enough through the internet (Bol, Amazon etc.) you can often buy HB's as cheap as PB's (but earlier!) or if you're a member of a book club, their club editions are cheaper, are often the size of the PB and out at the same time (or before!) the HB. I found this most useful with the last George RR Martin, now in two paperbacks in the UK, but a thick HB on my shelf (which was able to be read in the bath - not something I normally do, but it was so good...!)

Two annoyances though - dust covers (you can't keep them on when you're reading the book!) and the weight of the HB (how my arms suffered reading Ash, the Peter Hamilton Night's Dawn series and the Tad Williams' in HB)

I'm also fortunate enough to be able to buy signed books, which tend to happen more in HB.

Hobbit

[Eventine]

Here in Oz we are seeing a bit of a trend away from first releases in hardback and more in trade paperback. I prefer paperback - easier to read and less room on the bookshelf.

[Killer Chicken]

Hey Polgara, I may have to challenge your right to the youngest member on here. I happen to be 14 also. Now you might have to plot to kill me. That would be a bad thing. *Sees dark shadow enter his doorway* "No stop, Ahhh..."

[e-Morgana]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you've both been outdone by ?Sir Rob, who from memory is only 11. Am I right???