Which is your preference when reading a book?
1. Hard cover
or
2. Paperback
or
3. Something other than either
I am the type that likes to wait for the smaller, mass market paperback to come out for a book. I like the smaller hand held version, it is easier to read while laying down in bed. However, as of late, more and more authors are waiting a year and a half after the initial release and then releasing a larger paperback. This put off the mass market book another year and a half. I know its being done to get more money, but it really make me wait longer.
It depends if it's something I really, really want to read immediately or not. I will borrow a hardcover from the library if I want something immediately, or I will wait for the paperback if it's something I can wait on. I agree with you, completely. The cost is the biggest factor, but the fact that the length of time between hard and soft covers is so long makes me crazy. Someone once told me that as long as the book was selling really well in hard-cover, they'd keep it that way until sales started to slack off a bit, then go to the more inexpensive paperback. I wonder. I also like the middle-size. What's that called, trade-size? That's a comfortable size, I think.
I like the small paperback books, they are easier to take around with you.
I like to leave a book in my husband's car, in case I get a few minutes spare to read.
I also like to read in bed, but a large hardback book takes longer to read when you are trying to balance it whilst lying down.
I buy very few books, but I prefer the paperbacks also, mostly because of cost and size. When I start reading a book, I like to lay in bed a lot of times, and hard-covers really don't allow for doing that easily.
For me this depends highly on exactly what the book is. Most books for casual reading I do enjoy the paperback versions for size and simplicity. I do have a few collection that I am working on reading such as all of Stephen Kings book in which I prefer the hard backs simply because I plan to have them all shelved and / or displayed once my collection is complete.
I prefer paperbacks as they are easier to hold, the problem is when I bend the pages back to hold the book in one hand, I have issues with the curl of the page on the odd numbered side (you know the thicker part of the book, depending where you are at) either being stuck in the binding so tightly its hard to read the middle, or being rounded so much it feels like reading a totem pole.
Other than that cost, weight and no dustcover are all great benefits.
I actually prefer hardbacks, but I very seldom buy them at the bookstore. I go to thrift stores (we have a few really good ones in our town), and buy whatever interests me on half-price day. That way, if I like something, I have a hardcover copy that will last, and if I don't like it, I don't feel bad giving it away. I also like used book stores and garage sales for used hardbacks. People aren't often hard on them, so most of them are in great shape.