I saw this question, and it got me thinking:
Do you prefer hardcovers, trade paperbacks (the bigger ones), or mass market paperbacks (the smaller ones)? Why?
Once upon a time, my answer to this would have come readily: mass market paperbacks, because they were cheaper and easier to handle. These days, it’s less clear-cut, as I’ve come to appreciate hardcovers and trade paperbacks more. I won’t deny that books in those bulkier formats are trickier to read; but there’s something about sitting down with a hardback especially that can give reading — well, ‘a sense of occasion’ is the best way I can think of putting it.
Actually, my favourite format of book is not listed in the question — it’s a mid-sized paperback, or smaller cased hardcover, which are less unwieldy whilst retaining that feeling of being special. I guess I appreciate books as artefacts more than I used to, but practicality is nice to have as well.
18th October 2010 at 10:12 pm
Depends. Authors I collect, I want the hardback. Everything else, massmarket or A-format paperbacks are preferred.
19th October 2010 at 10:47 am
I don’t like hardback books – I only have 2 – both of which are collectors editions. I like the larger paperback and mass market. I’m slowly moving into books where value permits.
19th October 2010 at 11:31 am
I like mass paperback. They fit in your hands easily, no sore hands for the most part because of that. This lets me read more comfortable, like when i lay down and don’t have to hold a big heavy book. paperbacks are easier, comfier, and cheaper , whats not to love? i wishh paperbacks were released first before hardcovers so i wouldn’t have to wait a year to buy the paperback.
19th October 2010 at 12:55 pm
I agree they all have their pluses, but I like the mass market by far the least. Type too small, spines crack, awkward to hold, too expensive for their cheap paper.
Hey, welcome to MM!
19th October 2010 at 1:53 pm
Depends. I want the hardback for collections and those books I know I will keep for years ( or forever)
Everything else, massmarket paperbacks. Love the size they feel right, Trade paper backs are to big! and for that might as well get a hard cover.
Also Mass market are all the same height! so they all fit nicely on the shelf,
19th October 2010 at 3:23 pm
Massmarket paperbacks for sure! They fit so nicely in your hand and their pages have a velvety feel. After they’ve been used for a bit their corners get rounded and it feels like your best friend.
For display purposes though; books I don’t read as often such as classics, I like to have hardcover cloth bound on my shelf.
19th October 2010 at 4:41 pm
Depends I will buy hardbacks of books that I know I’ll most likely reread a lot, or that I collect. Paperbacks I get for travel reading or at work for lunch breaks, or as gifts to get others interested in authors I like. The best though is the large format books that have combined a trilogy, sometimes it’s just so nice to have that next book as handy as the next page.
19th October 2010 at 7:21 pm
I love books period, but I prefer hard cover for re-read ability. They tend to stand the test of time, at least for me, and paperbacks are fine if that’s all I can find– but durability is the issue. I like to take a book with me where ever I go, and I know that most of the time the hard cover can resist dog-ears and the occasional page rip.
19th October 2010 at 10:56 pm
Trade paperbacks are perfect. Hardcovers are too heavy to carry around and mass-markets lack the nice design elements and feel of the trades.
20th October 2010 at 10:51 pm
Mass markey paperback,
so I can put them in my pocket to carry round and read when i get a few moments
21st October 2010 at 12:03 am
Trade paperbacks. A lot of thought is put into the design of the covers. Also, they’re cheaper than hardbacks.