Paperback Vs. Hardback?
 

A recent topic on used book stores and such got my thinker thinkin...

Which do you prefer?

Me? I prefer paperbacks myself. Granted, if there's a new book in a series coming that I absolutely cannot wait for, then I'll buy the hardback. But other than that, there's just something about the feel of a paperback for me. I always carry whatever book I'm reading with me to almost wherever I go. Work, pick up the wife, almost anywhere. (Never no when 'reading time' may hit! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/redface.gif)

I enjoy both hardback and paperback. I like hardback books because the binding cracks when you first open it and you can tell it is new by that sound, but they are bulky and expensive usually, which is their main disadvantage. Paperback books are wonderful because they are easy to carry and they are cheap, but they don't usually hold up to wear and tear as well as hardback books do. I have lost many a page out of an older paperback book whereas old hardback books keep their sturdiness for years. I recently read a 1960 hardback copy of Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath and it felt almost like a newer book, but my dad has a copy of Lord of the Rings from back in the day that is paperback and he keeps it out of reach because it is starting to fall apart. Each type has it's own good and bad qualities, but if it didn't matter which I had, I think that I would rather have the hardback versions of books.

Hardbacks FOREVER

I usually read better lying down so paperbacks are alot easier for me to use personally. I don't mind hardbacks either but I think i'll always prefer paperbacks.

Paperbacks, for they are easier to read anywhere.

Paperback, easier and less expensive (main reason)
Besides i already got my book shelves filled with paperbacks if i start getting hardcovers it would ruin the order.

FitzChivlary:

Ditto

Paperbacks. For pretty much the same reasons everybody else has mentioned. They're cheaper and far less cumbersome than a hardback.

One word, MASS PRODUCTION!!!! okay thats two words, but being a po white guy, i cant afford 24.99 for a book, no matter who writes it, unless its got some kinda porn in it or its lined with 24 karot gold, i wont buy it. There are two things ill never spend more than 20 bucks on, one is shoes, the other is women. um.. i mean books, yeah books...

Ashaman! Don't talk like that, you'll offend Zsinj16 with your sexual talk hahahahahahaha http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

It looks like I am not in the majority here, but I love hardbacks. I try to buy everything i can in hardback. I don't know why I like them so much since they are heavier, but it doesn't matter if I am not carrying them around with me. Also it is harder to keep paperbacks looking nice. i had a friend that said if the book wasn't hashed when you were done you didn't really enjoy it. i like my books to look new even after i have read them three times. People don't like borrowing my books because they are afraid I will get mad if they hurt them at all. My friends think i'm a little nuts about my books.

hmm
I like paperbacks because easy to carry, cheap and easy to read in bed. But they tend to wear down quickly. So if its a excellent series which I love, I would prefer HB, but if its just a good read series then Paperback.

But it haven't gone like that, I tend to start alot of ongoing series, and many have been very good e.g ASoIaF - GRRM, Crown os Stars - Kates Elliot and a few other. So the first few books will be in paperback, then then the latest ones, which aren't out in paperback I'll buy in HB. So my book shelf is in a mess. Its gonna be the same with new books which are coming out that I'll probably buy in HB where I've got the first few in the series in PB. Damn I hate that.

you can read paperbacks in the bath(which in my house is the only place i get any peace from my bro alex)

Metosblat, watch it pal!! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif Nah, what Ashaman said didn't offend me, I know he was just joking, but, then again, he may be a real lady-killer! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif LOL!
Anyway, back to the intended subject. I prefer my novels to be in paperback because I enjoy reading a lot more when I'm lying down and they cost a lot less. Also, I can't really afford to buy hardbacks all the time because I don't really have a job yet, and the only real job I do have that I get paid for is mowing my Grandpa's yard, and I get payed $10.00 every time I mow, and I mow about every Monday. Hardbacks are good to have though, because they can last a lot longer than paperbacks and look nicer, but they just seem to be so darn cumbersome and expensive. It would be really nice if they would start making paperback-sized hardback novels, though! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Zsinj16 (edited May 04, 2001).]

Yes! I often wish that. I don't mind tiny text, and they would be so handy. Someone call a publisher! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Aleya - http://silver-oak.com

I like hardbacks more although, as you have said, they are often much more expensive than the paperbacks. I just think hardbacks look better and last longer too. I own both kinds of books but would like to own more hardbacks. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Paperbacks, definitely. They're not only more handy and cheeper than hardbacks, but as they're not hard they adapt themselves to you in a way I like - hardbacks seem always so stubborn (this sounds very silly, doesn't it?)

Paperback

mainly because they are alot easier to carry with ya. I normally take a book with when i go biking or skiing and paperbacks are great because they easily fit in a pocket or backpack

Paperbacks...though I HATE waiting for a new book to come out in it, and so go off and buy the hardcover. Then I kick myself when the paperback edition comes out.