It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussion (archive)Hardcover vs Paperback: which do you prefer?(80 posts)(80 posts)
(80 posts)
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
This is my favourite topic
Posted November 03, 2012
Why paperback? It has a paperfront too. Anyway, I choose ebook. Back in the old days there was never much of a choice; books were either hardcover or paperback but usually not both and I bought whatever was available.
Posted November 03, 2012
avatar
overread: The reader itself (Amazon Kindle in my case) is lighter than most paperbacks and easily held in either hand for a long while. I can also carry far more books with me than ever before - it makes for an ideal travel companion since now I can read several books on the go without having to lumber myself down.
Fast access to new titles and the amazing e-ink means that I'm very happy to buy ebooks as well as read text files or get free distribution ebooks (eg all the copyright expired books!)
I love mine as well (used Kindle Keyboard, but the previous owner had read like one book on it).

I haven't read so much in a decade as I have since I got that thing.
Posted November 03, 2012
avatar
F4LL0UT: Depends. Usually I'm okay with paperback because I can read it while traveling or on the crapper without any hassle but for works I really love I appreciate hardcover (still dreaming of the Necronomicon with metal ornaments on the cover). The really weird thing is though that while I prefer reading on the screen (it's less of a strain on my eyes) and while I'm okay with digital games I'm still not willing to buy ebooks.
I know it's not THAT edition of the Necronomicon, but they have both the Simonomicon and the other one on the Chapters.ca website (I think that's the link) for relatively cheap if you want a hardcover edition. I want to get them to add to my occult text collection, I love books of all sorts. :D
avatar
overread: The reader itself (Amazon Kindle in my case) is lighter than most paperbacks and easily held in either hand for a long while. I can also carry far more books with me than ever before - it makes for an ideal travel companion since now I can read several books on the go without having to lumber myself down.
Fast access to new titles and the amazing e-ink means that I'm very happy to buy ebooks as well as read text files or get free distribution ebooks (eg all the copyright expired books!)
avatar
orcishgamer: I love mine as well (used Kindle Keyboard, but the previous owner had read like one book on it).

I haven't read so much in a decade as I have since I got that thing.
That's how I am with my Kobo when I'm on trips, I usually keep doubles with an epub/pdf reader on my laptop so I can switch back and forth between the two.
Post edited November 03, 2012 by Theta_Sigma
Posted November 03, 2012
avatar
Theta_Sigma: I know it's not THAT edition of the Necronomicon, but they have both the Simonomicon and the other one on the Chapters.ca website (I think that's the link) for relatively cheap if you want a hardcover edition. I want to get them to add to my occult text collection, I love books of all sorts. :D
Occult text collection - wow. I just like reading important works that left a mark in the history of literature.
Posted November 03, 2012
avatar
Theta_Sigma: I know it's not THAT edition of the Necronomicon, but they have both the Simonomicon and the other one on the Chapters.ca website (I think that's the link) for relatively cheap if you want a hardcover edition. I want to get them to add to my occult text collection, I love books of all sorts. :D
avatar
F4LL0UT: Occult text collection - wow. I just like reading important works that left a mark in the history of literature.
LOL It's really nothing THAT spectacular, it's mostly just a shelf of everything from the Necronomicon (paperback), the Lost Books of Merlin, a bunch of Alchemy texts and books written on ancient practices of Pagan belief systems. I have a rather peculiar interest in Occult and Pagan mythology, actually I love most mythologies, to be honest.

I grew up reading a lot of that stuff. I always wanted to write really awesome fantasy and horror when I was younger (I idolized Lovecraftian horror and Lovecraft's Fantasy/Sci-Fi); shame I never really continued writing; I miss it sometimes.
Posted November 03, 2012
avatar
Theta_Sigma: I grew up reading a lot of that stuff. I always wanted to write really awesome fantasy and horror when I was younger (I idolized Lovecraftian horror and Lovecraft's Fantasy/Sci-Fi); shame I never really continued writing; I miss it sometimes.
Lol, yeah. When I was younger I also dreamed of a writer's career. Wrote about 350 pages of a fantasy novel and then came to the conclusion that it's crap. Although I still think that the part where a paladin decapitates another guy during a rape is pure gold. :B
Posted November 03, 2012
For authors whose books I intend to keep in my collection until they plant me in the ground: hardcover. Otherwise it's paperback, which I'm rapidly moving to e-book format.
Posted November 03, 2012
Paperback for the cheaper price and greater ease of storage unless I anticipate book to be like a bible to me (ex: my C++ standard library book).

However, I'm just bidding my time until a 10 to 15 inches screen e-reader enters the market at a decent price and then it will be digital books only whenever possible (read: whenever they are available in DRM-free format).

I know my needs are outside the norm (most people read only novels and want their e-readers to be palm sized) and I'll be waiting a while, but I'm very patient.
Post edited November 03, 2012 by Magnitus
Posted November 03, 2012
Almost always ebooks, either DRM free or liberated. I read on my iPhone, iPad and my Aluratek Libre Pro. If it has to be a physical copy then I prefer paperback.

I can't get used to using an ebook version of the Bible though. I'll stick to leather-bound for that.
Posted November 03, 2012
For general reading I prefer paperback simply because of the size and weight. For my favoritest books ever, though, I prefer hardback because they last a lot longer. After I've reread a paperback book a bunch of times, the spine starts to get very weak and in some cases the glue holding the backing to the pages comes off completely, which is really irritating.

I haven't made the jump to ebooks yet, though, primarily because the prices aren't attractive enough yet, and the DRM-free selection is a hell of a lot narrower than I'd like.
Posted November 03, 2012
avatar
Psyringe: I prefer ebooks. Otherwise, paperbacks, since they are cheaper, and easier to handle. They may not be as durable as hardcovers, but I tend to treat my books well, and never had a problem with any of my paperbacks.
Indeed, ebooks are clearly the superior book. Both paperback and hardcover tend to be excessively difficult to read and terrible ergonomically.

Probably the only time I've found them to be worthwhile since the invention of ebooks is for some reference books where I need to quickly flip back and forth between pages. In that case, the hard cover is definitely superior as paper backs tend to be more difficult to keep open without holding them.

But really, dead tree editions are horrible and should be discontinued as soon as possible for the betterment of humanity.
Posted November 03, 2012
Paperback, cheaper and takes up less space.
Posted November 03, 2012
avatar
Psyringe: I prefer ebooks. Otherwise, paperbacks, since they are cheaper, and easier to handle. They may not be as durable as hardcovers, but I tend to treat my books well, and never had a problem with any of my paperbacks.
avatar
hedwards: Indeed, ebooks are clearly the superior book. Both paperback and hardcover tend to be excessively difficult to read and terrible ergonomically.

Probably the only time I've found them to be worthwhile since the invention of ebooks is for some reference books where I need to quickly flip back and forth between pages. In that case, the hard cover is definitely superior as paper backs tend to be more difficult to keep open without holding them.

But really, dead tree editions are horrible and should be discontinued as soon as possible for the betterment of humanity.
I say MORE dead tree editions, I want a library filled with the skins of their kindred filling the walls from floor to ceiling! Seriously though, as much I love the betterment of technology for creating a cleaner society to our world, books are one thing I think should never be gotten rid of. If the problem is the use of trees, find alternate means of paper, or even recycle books that are damaged to the point they would be thrown out.

Also, there is the unlikely but still possible scenario that they did this then some technological "hiccup" occurs and all those books would be lost. That's really something I don't think humanity can afford to happen. I know this is an unlikely case but it's always best to plan for the worst, hope for the best.

I do own an e-reader, and I do enjoy the lack of weight provided by loading books ON to said device, but personally to me books are history and something truly special. Now a reasonable compromise I think, would be to offer considerable discounts to eBook version of titles and say offer a printed version made available to those interested at an additional cost to have one fabricated.

To me there are far more other things the world needs to find alternatives to rather than ceasing book productions. Such as, alternative fuels, alternative power sources, getting the climate shift issues under control, etc... But, most of this is just my opinion, and that's my 2 cents... :)
Posted November 03, 2012
avatar
teshra: Paperback, cheaper and takes up less space.
Yes, I agree. Paperbacks are also lighter to carry.

I still either favor paperback or hardback over digital books, though. I like the whole experience of reading: smelling the paper, opening the book, flipping the pages, feeling the texture of the paper. It is not just an information source for me.

I appreciate the convenience of e-books, especially old, digitized out-of-print books that I've needed for research. I would have appreciated an e-reader in college, especially for reference books. My main complaint is that new e-books are only about a dollar less than the printed version. I understand it from a publisher's POV, but that is no incentive for me to buy it (yes, I'm saving trees, I know). I don't expect digital versions to be free, but certainly less than a printed book.

My true preference, really, is whatever copy I can borrow for free from my public library. Sometimes that is a digital copy, but generally not.

ETA: Theta_Sigma expressed many of my thoughts, just before I posted. I agree with the additional points mentioned.
Post edited November 03, 2012 by silvers24
Posted November 03, 2012
While I generally dont find as many in bookshops, as a general rule I like hardcovers - the creases that paperbacks get just from taking them out with me can really drive me nutty; especially if it's one of my favourites!
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)Hardcover vs Paperback: which do you prefer?(80 posts)(80 posts)
(80 posts)