Hardback novels versus paperback ones - which do you prefer?
By Maggie James
I buy a lot of ebooks, and when I purchase a physical copy of a novel, it's usually the paperback version. Why? Partly force of habit, but also because they're cheap and take up less room on my bookshelves than hardbacks. My love of browsing charity shops has led me to buy some hardback novels recently, however, and I admit they provide a different level of reading experience. Something about the weight and solidarity of them is very attractive.
Hardbacks are proving surprisingly resilient in this digital age. For the publishers, they generate more profit than paperbacks, and for readers they provide a premium quality reading experience. Often the cover artwork is superior to that of the paperback version and some come with bookmarks and embossed jackets. They are also durable, making them popular with libraries and collectors. I'd certainly prefer a hardback copy should I ever be seeking an autograph! Stephen King, I'm heading your way with my copy of Rose Madder...
For people who have favourite best-selling authors, it can make sense to purchase the hardback editions. There's no waiting around for the paperback version, and if you want something beautiful for your bookshelves, hardbacks fit the bill.
The dust jackets stir up some debate, however. Some people love them, others hate them - me, I'm ambivalent on the subject - but they do provide handy page markers when folded inside. They have their good and bad points - they help keep the book clean, yet have a tendency to look tattered quickly.
People who prefer paperbacks cite the cheaper prices and greater portability, both of which are valid considerations. They're also more suited to impulse buys; I suspect few people buy hardback novels from as yet unread authors.
Horses for courses, as they say. Now I've rediscovered hardbacks, I'll continue to buy my fiction in a mix of formats. What about you? Do you have a preference one way or another? Leave a comment and let me know!
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I buy a lot of ebooks, and when I purchase a physical copy of a novel, it's usually the paperback version. Why? Partly force of habit, but also because they're cheap and take up less room on my bookshelves than hardbacks. My love of browsing charity shops has led me to buy some hardback novels recently, however, and I admit they provide a different level of reading experience. Something about the weight and solidarity of them is very attractive.Hardbacks are proving surprisingly resilient in this digital age. For the publishers, they generate more profit than paperbacks, and for readers they provide a premium quality reading experience. Often the cover artwork is superior to that of the paperback version and some come with bookmarks and embossed jackets. They are also durable, making them popular with libraries and collectors. I'd certainly prefer a hardback copy should I ever be seeking an autograph! Stephen King, I'm heading your way with my copy of Rose Madder...
For people who have favourite best-selling authors, it can make sense to purchase the hardback editions. There's no waiting around for the paperback version, and if you want something beautiful for your bookshelves, hardbacks fit the bill.
The dust jackets stir up some debate, however. Some people love them, others hate them - me, I'm ambivalent on the subject - but they do provide handy page markers when folded inside. They have their good and bad points - they help keep the book clean, yet have a tendency to look tattered quickly.
People who prefer paperbacks cite the cheaper prices and greater portability, both of which are valid considerations. They're also more suited to impulse buys; I suspect few people buy hardback novels from as yet unread authors.
Horses for courses, as they say. Now I've rediscovered hardbacks, I'll continue to buy my fiction in a mix of formats. What about you? Do you have a preference one way or another? Leave a comment and let me know!
Enjoyed this post? Please share via the links below:
Get your free copy of His Kidnapper's Shoes!
Sign up for my newsletter and you'll receive a free copy of His Kidnapper's Shoes in either Kindle, epub or PDF format! What will you get from my emails? Books from other novelists (with their permission, of course!), reading recommendations, discounts on my future releases, as well as promotions and giveaways. I'll contact you every two months or when I release a new title, and will never divulge your details to any third parties. To sign up, enter your email address in the box in the sidebar. Thank you!Why not subscribe to my blog?
If you've enjoyed this post, how about subscribing to my blog via RSS feed or email? Either click the links in my blog sidebar or sign up via Networked Blogs, also in the sidebar. It'll be great to have you on board!
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I love paperbacks easy to read,didnt think i would like a kindle got one as a gift love to read on it on holiday on my deck chair and can read at night as it has a light built in.I love charity shops for a great deals on books. and hand in lots of books into the charity shops.some books are better in hardback if its a book thats really long.to me just love reading a good book.
Charity shop browsing for books is such fun! I'd always thought hardback novels too pricey, and I guess they are bought new, but secondhand is fine. And I'm helping a charity at the same time - a win all round!
I love to think who had the book before me. Did they like it? Did they stay up all night to finish it? Over a cuppa and a biscuit? Did they leave it on a bus? Did they hate it? Throw it at someone in a row? Did they write in it? Why? Its the gift that keeps on giving.Toast
Its a great feeling when you get a great deal, and if you start reading a book thats been out for a while and you want more of the series thats when i pop into the charity shops my favourite books are psychological reads, read couple maggies books and got couple more to read on my kindle.and love reading two books at the same time.i love goodreads as I've read books i would of never picked up and read and found some great authors and some great books.
I can't have 2 books on the go at the same time, my little brain couldn't cope. But like you once I get into a series or an author, I get stuck in and read the lot. Thank God for charity shops and libraries, I couldn't afford my habit otherwise. I do try not to hoard books but I still manage to have more books then anything else. Hohum. I can't help it. I love 'em.Toast
Thanks for reading my books, Andrea! And yes, thank goodness for charity shops - it's always such fun browsing for new book bargains in them.
They are such a blessing. Good reads, great prices and a good cause - what's not to like.Toast
Toast