What is the format of the majority of books you read? Do you wait for new book to be out for a while and then buy the paperback or do you prefer to spend the extra $ for the hardcover and read it right away?

Personally, I prefer hardcover. I have no problem paying a bit more for a hardcover (which I find much easier to read with print size and spacing).

In addition, the trick is to buy used hardcovers online (which usually equate to what a new paperback would cost) or simply pay a visit to the library.

i hate how paperbacks get those creases in the binding..i never fully open them when i read them...i hold them in a big V

If I'm buying new stuff, I amlost always go with hardback. For old lit, classics, and genre fiction, I hunt down those paperbacks from the old days at the second hand stores - ain't nothin' like getting good stuff for fifty cents to a dollar.

I only go with hardback on a few authors. Connelly and King are two of a few.

The rest is all paperback.

paperback bay bee

Giantrobo

I would prefer hardbacks if they were affordable (and if they took up less place, which in itself an oxymoron - a space-saving hardback) . . .

Paperbacks are not only more affordable but more portable. Sure, it may be cozy and romantic to curl up on a couch with a hardback in front of a blazing fireplace . . . but a paperback is more practical in this day and age.

I wait for paperback so I can save some money. If I want to read hardcover, I borrow from local library. But I do buy some hardcover books if I really want to read it and it's either not available at the local library or so popular that it's always checked-out.

I prefer paperback,

For the most part I like paperbacks, although, sometimes the binding on the hardbacks are really good. If it is the better binding hardback, I'll get it.

Paperback for me.

Paperback

Most of mine are paperback as well, the only exception are books (or series) that I really enjoy reading, and will read over and over again. Those few I'll get in HardCover. The rest, its just not worth the extra cost.

I can't really vote, because I get both.

If it's an author I really enjoy, or someone I want to support, I buy the more expensive book (please tell me authors make a bit more off of harcovers than they do off of mass market books). Such examples would be Howard Stern's books, Mick Foley's books (I'm a wrestling geek, love the inside stuff)...etc.

However, even when I buy paperback, I prefer the "QPB" (quality paperback) over Mass Market stuff. I don't like the MM pocket size stuff...as someone already stated...crease way too easily in the spine and lose shape. At least the "large size" QPB are a bit more durable. So most of my stuff is that way.

I buy mostly paperbacks now -- hardbacks are (1. way too expensive (2. really heavy when you have hundreds of books and are trying to move [life lessons there] and (3. I just like the "feel" of a good paperback more. I prefer the "trade" or larger paperbacks to the smaller size, but either is good for me.

I prefer hardbacks, but what i always end up buying the paperbacks.

I usually read paperbacks, but there are some authors I get the hardback right away...King, Sandford (Prey books), Patterson (Cross books), Richard Laymon (posthumous), Anne Tyler.

I prefer paperbacks as well. I tend to take books on the run with me in case I get a few spare minutes, and paperbacks are much easier to travel with. Also, because of their flexibility, I find that they are easier to get comfortable with when reading. And the cheaper price is also attractive.

I do most of my reading while lying down, so I get annoyed by the weight of hardbacks. A few months ago I read all 850 pages of Don DeLillo's Underworld -- I picked up a hardback copy from a discount table for $5 -- and my hand would literally get tired.

I love books, but I'm not a collector in the traditional sense. I write all over the pages, take notes, underline favorite sentences. So my goal is to have a collection of quality books rather than quality editions (if that makes sense).

I LOVE reading hardback books, it's the way books were designed to be. What I hate is how much more you often have to spend to get a hardback v paperback.

I do also like Trade Paperbacks, the bigger size makes it more readable and the condition of the book tends to be better than a standard paperback after a few reads.

I travel a lot, so I prefer paperbacks when I'm flying b/c of portability. What sux is, I usually see a lot of my books in airport stores when I'm ready for a new book, so I buy the hardback. If I really want to read it, I just go ahead and buy the hardback, if I can wait, I'll get the paperback.

I used to hate the paperback creasing, but now I think it adds to the character of the book.

If I had a huge house and a lot of extra cash, I'd go with hardback. But I don't have tons of extra cash or a huge house. Paperbacks take up a fraction of what harbacks take so that is what I go with. Also, I've been getting the New Jedi Order books series. Every few books, there is a hardback. I wait until the paperback is out since I am not up to date reading them. To put the series in order, it would look very strange with a few harbacks sticking up over a bunch of paperbacks.

I waited almost a year (!) to get All Tomorrow’s Parties by Gibson in paperback and it was still hell’a expensive! I’m a big time paperback dude. For some reason, although I’m this freakish geek about the pristine condition of other formats, I can read a book that’s completely dog eared and get the same feeling from it. I’m on my fifth paperback by A.E. Van Vogt, and I gotta tell ya, I’m pushing these on my kids if I ever sire any. They do last. These are originals from the late 60’ to mid 70’s and they’re in completely passable condition.

One weakness: I have a re-re-re-re-issue of Fahrenheit 451 in hardback signed by Bradbury that I really cherish (my Step Dad was in a stage adaptation of Dandelion Wine and asked him to sign it for me. I wish I could have told him myself how much I love that story.)

Paperback

Depends on the book. If it's a title I plan on keeping or that I bought for my collection (I collect antiquarian books) then it's HC all the way. If it's beach reading, something I have only a casual interest in etc. it's all about PB.

I usually end up keeping the books I buy, so I go with hardcover. Besides, I find reading hardcovers more relaxing for some reason. I agree it costs a lot more, but I've found I can resell books I don't keep for decent prices, so it's not a total loss.