Paperback or hardcover books?

Yes I can only afford paperbacks, but if I wantto preserve a book I make it a point to get the hard cover version. I have some very special books in original hard cover that I value very much.

I have to say I prefer paperbacks all round. I have small hands, and they often cramp up when I'm trying to read a hardcover in a comfortable position. The only time I ever feel that they're manageable is when I'm half-way through the book. Near the beginning or ending, there's the annoyance of having to balance the thick bulky side, and a thin side that seems to naturally want to slam shut all the time. I can't count how many times I've been trying to read in bed, and have had a hard cover smack me in the face, as I my wrist on the heavy side of the book gives out. I also like the fact that I can fit more paperbacks onto my bookshelves. We're running out of space in the house for my books, so I've agreed with my husband to pare down my collection, and only keep the ones that I like the most, but I keep falling in love with new ones, and the space on the shelves is getting tighter and tighter.

I get paperbacks of things I plan to read once maybe twice, but books that I love and plan to read again and again I buy in hardback. I am hard on books when I read them and I will "worry" a paperback so that by the 3rd or 4th reading it comes apart. Therefore, for some books a hardback is a better investment for me because its cheaper than buying the paperback twice! Plus I belong to a couple of bookclubs where I can get the books cheaper, if I just pay $10 for the hardback thats almost as cheap as a paperback.

Actually, I prefer the paperback version. I don't really like the hardcover one since it is so bulky. I can put more paperbacks into my bag - but not if it is the hardcover one. And here, the hardcovers are more expensive when they first are released. But within say a year, their prices will drop to lower than that of paperbacks - which usually maintain the same price. I usually buy the paperback - unless I come across the discounted hardcover. Since it is cheaper, then I will go for that. Else it would be the paperback one. :P

hi, muscare. i love hardcover. Usually i wait until they have sale on hardcover book. I used to work at barnes and Noble bookstore, the happiest place of work I ever have, LOL :) everytime they have this hardcover books on sale i always on it plus additional employee discount. A lot of times i only pay 3 or 4 bucks for those precious hardcover book. Little secret i'm still doing that. I still got friend works in BN and they keep informed me everytime there's book on sale ;0)

I like reading paperbacks because its a lot cheaper, plus I always bring my books along so its a hassle lugging thick books along.

I've always preferred paperback over hardcover because of the same reason you have mentioned, the price. Paperbacks do not come cheap as it is, what more the cost of hardbound books?! They are the same anyway, so I buy the paperback version.

I have both kinds of books. I prefer hardbound books when they're reference or collector's edition books. Paperback books are convenient to bring since they're not as big as hardbound ones and not as heavy too ^_^