If you are frequent viewer of my blog you probably know I'm hardcover whore. I will admit it. I have no shame. I will willingly pay £10 for a hardcover book because it is pretty. I love looking underneath the dust jacket and feel that smooth hardcover. I love the shiny font on the spine and the sometimes embossed covers. What I love even more is when they aren't black underneath. Anna and the French Kiss is a beautiful royal purple and Unearthly is a gorgeous grey with gorgeous font.Am I the only one? I can't be
surely. I used to be a paperback girl. Cheap and cheerful. I have become much more stuck up. Much more snobby. Much more shallow. I know. Shoot me. I'm a sucker for a hardcover. They remind me of my mum's classics. Just hardbacks, no photos or cartoons. Just simple, old fashioned books! May I just throw in the fact that my mum is in New Zealand right now and is bringing me back some of these beauties here. Gorgeous pretty classics! Score!
So what are you? Hardback or paperback? Tell me below!
I've got to say I'm a fan of the paperback. Not only are they less expensive, but feel like they are cozier - I can move around more easily with them, if that makes sense. However, if there is a book I am dying to read and it's only available in hardcover, I'll still buy it.
ReplyDeleteI prefer paperback. I find them easier to travel around with even if they're more likely to wear and tear. Still, I will buy hardcover if it's on sale or if it's a book that I know I'm going to read again and again. Your blog is great by the way :)
ReplyDeleteBrenna: I do get what you are saying and they are lighter.
ReplyDeleteShaylene: I do try to buy them when they are on sale. I agree that they are easier to travel with. Thank you so much :)
I found that too. I used to ALWAYS buy paperbacks but when I got into blogging there were so many books I couldn't wait for :)
ReplyDeleteI prefer hardcover, for many of the same reasons as you. They just seem a little more official plus they're harder to wreck because of the protective shell around it, if that makes any sense. However, as a student, I often have to settle for paperback. Good thing it's the same story inside, so it's not that big of a deal.
ReplyDeleteI only buy hardcovers of books where I really love the authors because I really can't afford to spend that much money on books. Hardcovers are definitely prettier, but paperbacks are easier to store and bring around to read.
ReplyDeleteSniffly Kitty
Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books
Loving the Reviews Challenge
Jude: They are definitely more protected and the spines don't crack. I will settle for paperback too, hardback is a nice perk.
ReplyDeleteSniffly Kitty: They are very expensive which is a shame! I do love a pretty book though.
LOL. Fine, I'm a book snob too. But mostly because I get really OCD about not cracking the spines on paperbacks. So I would much prefer hardcover. If there's no hardcover, I'd rather get the ebook than paperback.
ReplyDeleteYou know, if I had pretty classics that looked like that, I would have read as many as I could. Too bad.
I would have to go with paperback. While I do love the look of the dust jackets they normally drive me nuts!
ReplyDeleteIf it's a book I love I definitely get the hardcover. I just love the feel of them and seeing them all lined up on my shelf.
ReplyDeleteThe extra money means I don't buy them often so I've recently taken advantage of books I don't mind are paperback. Win-win :D
I've gotta go with paperbacks. For me they're more comfortable to read. Bulky hardcovers are difficult for me to curl up with. Plus, paperbacks are cheaper which definitely agree with my post college bank account blues, heh. On rare occasions I do break down and buy hardcovers. For example, Harry Potter. But, that's just because I don't have the patience to wait for the paperback to hit markets.
ReplyDeleteReally it all depeds on money wise. If I dont have much because I had to put gas in my car then I search for paperback, but if I feel like splurging it's hardback, but I love dust jackets :) I love the feel of them also.
ReplyDeleteI prefer paperbacks. Easier to hold. Smaller so they can fit just about anywhere. And cheaper :) I'm more fond of trade paperbacks but they're a bit pricier.
ReplyDeleteSince all of my paperbacks usually get torn up and replaced over and over, I've also become a huge fan of the hardcovers. They last longer, they don't get those ugly fold marks in the spine, and they look amazing on my shelves! I hate buying books in paperback now because they get so ratty looking. Hardcover pricing isn't even that bad with all of the coupons that bookstores send out and the good prices you can get at places like Amazon or Book Depository. I don't buy paperback books anymore - it's either hardcover or kindle edition for me now.
ReplyDeletecialina: If paperbacks didn't crease on the spine I would feel MUCH better about reading them. Those classic hardcovers are stunning, I definitely agree that it will make me more inclined to read them.
ReplyDeleteTwo Readers Reviews: I understand that. They can get very frustrating.
Laura: They feel super gorgeous. I love the feel of them too. You definitely have a win win situation going there :)
Jackie: Paperbacks seem the popular choice for all the reasons you have named. If only they didn't cost so much.
Ballamay: I definitely agree with you there. At the end of the day I will buy a paperback instead of hardback if I am low on cash.
The Book Vixen: Trade paperbacks are nice aren't they!
Jenny: That is exactly what I am finding. I have some books that I've only read 3 times and they are barely readable and I take good care of my books. The Book Depository definitely makes it easier to buy hardbacks!
I'm definitely a hardcover girl. To me, the feeling of holding a hardcover while reading is much more pleasant. I guess that I just see paperbacks as more 'sloppy' if you will.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Such a nice feeling. I prefer reading them too!
ReplyDeletePaperback or hardback doesn't matter to me so much. Books are books, after all! :) If I really want the book, either paperback or hardback will do.
ReplyDeleteSensible. I wouldn't not buy a paperback if I couldn't find the hardback, it is just a perk really.
ReplyDeleteI'm a hardcover whore too. Because hardcovers are SEXY. (Anna has such a pretty purple underneath!) Plus the spines don't break, because broken spines are horrible :'( I feel so sorry for all the broken spined books out there! (Okay, not really, but y'know... ;p)
ReplyDeleteHardcovers are tres sexy! Doesn't it? It is SO pretty underneath. Broken spines are very horrible :( You do make me laugh :P
ReplyDeleteI prefer hardback too. One reason is because most of my books end up in my classroom and paperbacks do not hold up to over the careless usage my students put their books through. Also hardbacks look much nicer on my bookcases.
ReplyDeleteThey can definitely withstand a lot more usage. I agree, they look lovely on bookshelves.
ReplyDeleteHi Alice! Great topic. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a harcover gal fo sho! The only time I buy a paperback is when that is the only way it is released. Thanks for such an interesting discussion to join in on.
Have a lovely day and happy reading.
Amy
Ps. I have a terrific giveaway going on over at my blog. It is open to everyone and I just added more goodies today. Check it out! ;)
http://ladysbookstuff.blogspot.com
In terms of convenience, I would favor paperbacks, but for aesthetics and long-term storage, hardcover rocks.
ReplyDeleteI also have the same discussion on my blog, hardcover vs. paperback, you might want to check it out :D
Brush Up On Your Reading
Hmm.. It's a tie. I was a pure paperback gal, because 1. they're a lot less expensive (hey, for that €4 price difference I can buy another book!) 2. I prefer to read paperbacks because they feel better in my hands 3. my bookcloset has 80% paperbacks and I like the books that I have already, to match with my new books.
ReplyDeleteBut, I have to say, for some books I'm more than willing to pay the hardcover price. Mostly if it's a new release that I'm DYING to read, or if it's a part of a series of which I'm sure I will want to read the second (or third..) book as soon as it comes out. OR if the cover is extremely pretty :D (so yes, I'm kind of a snob, too. Sue me!) But overall I still prefer paperback books :)
Lady Reader: Thank you :) I am like that too! It is always nice to know that I'm not the only one! I will definitely check out your giveaway
ReplyDeleteNina: Definitely! That is so cool. I will definitely stop by and leave a comment!
Lving.books: I do like hardcovers for purely aesthetic reasons which isn't good (but I don't care :D)
I'm a fan of paperbacks because they're cheaper. I will openly admit that I'm a cheapskate. :P
ReplyDeleteStill, hardcovers are really pretty, and most YA books (in the U.S., at least) are being published in that format, so there's less choice nowadays.
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ReplyDeleteHmmm, for some reason, I've never really been drawn to a hardcover book. I don't like the dust covers because they always fall off. The cover underneath never really seems very pretty. And, they are soooo heavy!!! Plus stiff and non-bendable.
ReplyDeleteI prefer paperback's for sure. But not just any paperback. The book has to be of a particular size. I hate the small ones with the glossy covers. I like the mid sized books with pretty, matte finish covers. The pliability of the cover has a nice feel. Paperbacks are generally pretty light weight,too. These are the reasons I prefer paperback over hardcover.
Lauren: I have the opposite issue. Most UK books are published as paperbacks so it is hard to find hardbacks in the UK. Cheapness does win over sometimes though :P
ReplyDeleteGina: Fair enough. The lightweight thing about paprbacks are definitely a bonus for me.
Being honest, l could no way offer the HB versions. l just think l will wait for PB and get the same book for nearly the half price!
ReplyDeleteI have to say l like reading HB because they don't get ruined as quickly and l hate my books being in bad condition!!
Although HB are hard to carry around but then PB get ruined in my bag. That's where the kindle comes in!
afford*
ReplyDeleteSorry!
I avoid hardcovers like the plague, unless it's a display copy that I'll rarely read. I like the flexibility of paper when I read them.
ReplyDeleteWhen I can, I always buy hardcover books, but it's hard to see them in the bookstores of my country, so I end buying Mass paperback books XD
ReplyDeleteBooksforCompany: If only money wasn't a concern. I do need to use my Kindle more. That is why I have it.
ReplyDeleteLogan E. Turner: Really? I like the stability of hardcovers :)
-petit: I have that too. The UK usually goes directly to paperback. It is a shame.
Paperbacks, definitely. I HATE dust jackets with a passion! If I buy/win a hardcover book I'll just take off the dust jacket while reading and it isn't a big deal, but when I get a library book with a tapped on dust jacket I go insane before I finish the darn book :P I always try to find paperbacks, they are cosier, but I will settle for hardcover when necessary.
ReplyDeleteI love both, but it depends on the mood I am in. I like paperbacks because, sadly, I need a book that can stand up to my use. If I have a paperback, I just feel incredibly guilty if I destroy it. It's okay to love hardcovers! I have all my HP books in hardcover :P
ReplyDeleteAshley: hahah! I think I found someone as passionate about paperbacks as I am with hardcovers, LOL.
ReplyDeleteBookGeek: I have a mix with my Harry potter books which really needs to be remedied. Thanks for the reminder :P
I by far prefer hardcovers. I'm crazy obsessive about keeping my books in good condition and it's so stressful and difficult to keep a paperback nice. Especially when I carry them around in my bag. Hardcovers just look prettier too. They have so many little details between the dust jacket and the cover under the dust jacket. I love it!
ReplyDeletePlaces like Amazon also have great deals on hardcovers in the bargain books section. Half the time I've bought hardcovers there that have been less expensive than even the paperback version!
haha me too! I totally want my books to look nice! Very important! Amazon in the UK isn't as good as the US but with TBD it is alright. Wow. That is awesome!
ReplyDelete