Allison Symes's Blog - Posts Tagged "hardbacks"
Where Do You Turn First?
So you have limited time to read (it is ever so!) and you can choose between reading one hardback, one paperback, or pick one option from your Kindle? Which would you automatically plump for over the others?
I'd go for the paperback every time (partly because while I have some hardbacks, my paperback collection is far greater). There is still the element of the "go for the real book" here, much as I love the Kindle.
Where the Kindle does come into its own is when I'm away anywhere and the last thing I want to do is lug a lot of books along with me (unless they're by me and I'm trying to sell them of course!).
The other reason I'd go for the paperback first is I'd want the experience of the "whole book". You can't smell a Kindle's "pages" but you can do it with a paper book - and I have and will continue to do so.
I do like the smell of a book. I like the look of a well designed cover. I like the feel of a paperback in my hands. So there is the whole tactile experience going on here.
I do know I'm not the only reader/writer to feel that way so if I'm weird, I know I've got company. Very well read company, I should add!
So what would you pick then and why? Comments welcome.
I'd go for the paperback every time (partly because while I have some hardbacks, my paperback collection is far greater). There is still the element of the "go for the real book" here, much as I love the Kindle.
Where the Kindle does come into its own is when I'm away anywhere and the last thing I want to do is lug a lot of books along with me (unless they're by me and I'm trying to sell them of course!).
The other reason I'd go for the paperback first is I'd want the experience of the "whole book". You can't smell a Kindle's "pages" but you can do it with a paper book - and I have and will continue to do so.
I do like the smell of a book. I like the look of a well designed cover. I like the feel of a paperback in my hands. So there is the whole tactile experience going on here.
I do know I'm not the only reader/writer to feel that way so if I'm weird, I know I've got company. Very well read company, I should add!
So what would you pick then and why? Comments welcome.
Paperback, Hardback, or E-book?
For me, it is all three of course, as I’m sure it is for you.
If I did have to pick one, it would have to be the paperback. I remember the joy, when I was younger, of being able to buy two paperbacks for the price of one hardback and being the book lover that I am, this appealed a lot. (Frankly, it still does!).
I must admit I didn’t rush out to buy a Kindle when they came on to the scene but would not want to be without one now.
It is useful for whenever I’m away and features such as being able to increase font size and bookmark your place are useful. (No more worrying what books to pack either any more. I can take everything I want with me electronically!).
Having said all of that, the hardback is special. It really does feel like a “proper” book. I prefer those with jackets. There is some great artwork on those. My favourites are probably the Josh Kirby covers for Terry Pratchett’s Discworld canon.
Favourite paperback? Hmm… so hard to pick but The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey merits a mention as it is the only novel I’ve ever read which changed my mind about someone (and in this case Richard III).
The Lord of the Ring trilogy merits a special mention too (and yes it is a very heavy paperback!).
Favourite hardback? Hmm… Probably Wodehouse: A Life in Letters. A wonderful book.
Favourite ebook? Hmm… this one is tricky because I have so many wonderful novels and story collections on there amongst others but I think mention must go to Operation Zigzag by Ben Macintyre. I love history in all its forms but this combines non-fiction with a wonderful storytelling technique. Love it.
Whatever you read, I hope this strange period in our collective history might lead to more reading being done.
If I did have to pick one, it would have to be the paperback. I remember the joy, when I was younger, of being able to buy two paperbacks for the price of one hardback and being the book lover that I am, this appealed a lot. (Frankly, it still does!).
I must admit I didn’t rush out to buy a Kindle when they came on to the scene but would not want to be without one now.
It is useful for whenever I’m away and features such as being able to increase font size and bookmark your place are useful. (No more worrying what books to pack either any more. I can take everything I want with me electronically!).
Having said all of that, the hardback is special. It really does feel like a “proper” book. I prefer those with jackets. There is some great artwork on those. My favourites are probably the Josh Kirby covers for Terry Pratchett’s Discworld canon.
Favourite paperback? Hmm… so hard to pick but The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey merits a mention as it is the only novel I’ve ever read which changed my mind about someone (and in this case Richard III).
The Lord of the Ring trilogy merits a special mention too (and yes it is a very heavy paperback!).
Favourite hardback? Hmm… Probably Wodehouse: A Life in Letters. A wonderful book.
Favourite ebook? Hmm… this one is tricky because I have so many wonderful novels and story collections on there amongst others but I think mention must go to Operation Zigzag by Ben Macintyre. I love history in all its forms but this combines non-fiction with a wonderful storytelling technique. Love it.
Whatever you read, I hope this strange period in our collective history might lead to more reading being done.
Book Habits That Annoy
Aside from the obvious one of people turning down corners of books (which is even more irritating when they’ve borrowed the book from you!), what annoying book habits “get” you?
1. Feeling yourself about to nod off when you’ve been looking forward to reading all day and you’ve managed to read about two minutes’ worth of glorious prose. Yet you know if you make yourself keep reading, you will wake yourself up and then not be able to sleep properly when the time does come for lights out.
2. Not being to make up your mind about reading from your Kindle or paperback bookshelf and by the time you’ve decided, guess what? It’s lights out time again.
3. Looking for THE one book you’re longing to read, knowing you’ve got it somewhere, but can you find it when you want it to hand? Surprise, surprise - no!
4. Managing to pick up that hardback you’ve been looking forward to reading and end up dropping it on your foot. Some of these big beasties hurt when they land on your toes!
5. Having two books come out at about the same time by your favourite authors and not being able to decide which one to read first.
Of course, all of the above COULD just be me but I don’t think so!
Over to you then. Can you add to the list?
1. Feeling yourself about to nod off when you’ve been looking forward to reading all day and you’ve managed to read about two minutes’ worth of glorious prose. Yet you know if you make yourself keep reading, you will wake yourself up and then not be able to sleep properly when the time does come for lights out.
2. Not being to make up your mind about reading from your Kindle or paperback bookshelf and by the time you’ve decided, guess what? It’s lights out time again.
3. Looking for THE one book you’re longing to read, knowing you’ve got it somewhere, but can you find it when you want it to hand? Surprise, surprise - no!
4. Managing to pick up that hardback you’ve been looking forward to reading and end up dropping it on your foot. Some of these big beasties hurt when they land on your toes!
5. Having two books come out at about the same time by your favourite authors and not being able to decide which one to read first.
Of course, all of the above COULD just be me but I don’t think so!
Over to you then. Can you add to the list?
Why Books Are Special To Me
I could write chapter and verse on this week’s topic, appropriately enough. So where to start on why books are special to me?
My love of books and stories comes from my late mother who encouraged my love of reading and taught me to read before I started school.
Books were regularly given as presents. I would often buy books with pocket money and money gifts sent by my relatives for Christmas etc. I went to the library a lot.
Best of all, Mum had a lovely collection of books herself, which I now have. And I so wanted to have a collection of my own (which I have).
As well as being read to as a child, which is so important, I saw Mum read for pleasure herself more often than I could say. It sent the unspoken message that this was definitely an okay thing to do - and it is!
Then there are the books with particular meaning. I treasure the Bibles given to me by my late parents and the one given to me by my son.
I love The Reader’s Digest of Classic Fairytales two volume set. I spent hours reading those and loving the beautiful illustrations. I remember the shock I first had on reading The Little Mermaid in here and discovering fairytales didn’t always have happy ever after endings.
I identified with the way The Ugly Duckling felt and cheered when all did work out well in the end. (You know full well as a kid it doesn’t always work that way in life, You know it even more as an adult).
I treasure my paperback of The Lord of The Rings and my copy of Pride and Prejudice.
For me, there is absolutely nothing about a book to dislike.
I like my paperbacks, my hardbacks, my audio and ebooks. The format doesn’t matter.
The fact it is a book does!
Happy reading!
My love of books and stories comes from my late mother who encouraged my love of reading and taught me to read before I started school.
Books were regularly given as presents. I would often buy books with pocket money and money gifts sent by my relatives for Christmas etc. I went to the library a lot.
Best of all, Mum had a lovely collection of books herself, which I now have. And I so wanted to have a collection of my own (which I have).
As well as being read to as a child, which is so important, I saw Mum read for pleasure herself more often than I could say. It sent the unspoken message that this was definitely an okay thing to do - and it is!
Then there are the books with particular meaning. I treasure the Bibles given to me by my late parents and the one given to me by my son.
I love The Reader’s Digest of Classic Fairytales two volume set. I spent hours reading those and loving the beautiful illustrations. I remember the shock I first had on reading The Little Mermaid in here and discovering fairytales didn’t always have happy ever after endings.
I identified with the way The Ugly Duckling felt and cheered when all did work out well in the end. (You know full well as a kid it doesn’t always work that way in life, You know it even more as an adult).
I treasure my paperback of The Lord of The Rings and my copy of Pride and Prejudice.
For me, there is absolutely nothing about a book to dislike.
I like my paperbacks, my hardbacks, my audio and ebooks. The format doesn’t matter.
The fact it is a book does!
Happy reading!
Taking In Stories
One of the things I love most about stories is there are so many ways to take them in.
My favourite will always be the paperback, followed by the hardback, followed jointly by ebooks and audio. I especially love audio books for long journeys and will look forward to hearing some old favourites again when I go on holiday later in the year.
But don’t forget audio itself comes in more than one medium. Stories on radio work astonishingly well, whether they are readings from books or plays (which are scripted stories).
Also film and TV can share stories amazingly well. The Lord of the Rings film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson got members of my family into that terrific story.
They would never have read the book. I had read it, loved it, and thought the film trilogy did the original justice. (Though I must admit I would have liked the films to have included what really happened to Saruman after Sauron’s fall).
I also love the fact adaptations to help breathe new life into classic books. Win-win for the written word there I think.
My favourite will always be the paperback, followed by the hardback, followed jointly by ebooks and audio. I especially love audio books for long journeys and will look forward to hearing some old favourites again when I go on holiday later in the year.
But don’t forget audio itself comes in more than one medium. Stories on radio work astonishingly well, whether they are readings from books or plays (which are scripted stories).
Also film and TV can share stories amazingly well. The Lord of the Rings film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson got members of my family into that terrific story.
They would never have read the book. I had read it, loved it, and thought the film trilogy did the original justice. (Though I must admit I would have liked the films to have included what really happened to Saruman after Sauron’s fall).
I also love the fact adaptations to help breathe new life into classic books. Win-win for the written word there I think.
