Paperback or hard cover

I like hardcovers, as the print is larger most of the time. Many of my friends prefer paperbacks because they can fit the book in their purse or small backpack and read while they are waiting for friends, in a grocery line, or sitting in the park.

I don't mind either actually. It all depends on what I can get at the time. That and sometimes I like the smallness of paperbacks and other times I like the large hardbooks.

Paperback books are much easier for me to hold for an long read, but hardbacks do sometimes have an advantage. The hardbacks usually have bigger print, which is much easier on my eyes. Of course, quality paperbacks are more like hardbacks. It's the mass market paperbacks that are hardest to read for any length of time because of the small print and poorer quality paper. Another advantage of hardbacks is that they have features that will be left out of the paperbacks. I've been borrowing the Sharpe series of historical novels from the library, and it turns out that the paperback editions don't have the maps that help make the books much easier to understand.

I do not have a preference. Paperback books are cheaper than hardcover books. Hardcover books are bigger. Paperback books are much easier to carry around, they can fit in my purse. But I also agree with everything you said.

yes i have a preference. i like to read paperback books because they are easier to hold. when it comes to textbooks however, i like them hard cover. the reason is that it makes the book look more professional.

Hardcovers last longer, but I get your point about how they may feel bulky.

Hardcover will resist alot more wear and tear if you're the sort of person that chucks books about and stuff (a bit like me ) though I have read by paperback Azkaban 15+ times and it's fine, though my Phoenix, which I've read 5+ times has it's cover half off.Hardcover is more durable, and is simply more aesthetically pleasing to me. I own all in hardcover, and re-buy in paperback if necessary.I like to write notes and stuff in my books, having a paperback copy mkeas it easier to handle in general imo. I also have lost a small amount of movement in my hand since being ill, not normally noticable but holding a hardback book for a few hours can become painful.

I preferooks the best because they are easier to handel with my hands. The hard backed books get so heavy that I have to put them down sooner. I like to rea laying down in bed getting ready to go to sleep and the paperbacks work out the best for my hands.

I have a mixture of both in my collection. Hardback I don't mind reading in bed as I lay on my stomach with my book infront of me on the pillow but for most other times I much prefer paperbacks. As you said paperbacks are much easier to handle and as I like to read in the bath when I get the chance to really relax it is a lot easier to keep a paperback from getting wet than it is a hardback.

I think both formats have advantages, in terms of walking around and packing for a travel a paperback is undoubtedly bettern even to read when you are in bed the hardcover it isn`t definitely the best choice, however the hardcover is much more resilient to the passing of the time, and the bigger print facilitates the reading, and they look better in the bookshelf, but my preference goes the paperback .

I have a soft spot for hardbacks because they seem to be more resistant LOL. I mean when you have a paperback you have to be always on the lookout for those mark that appear on the spine when you open the books too much, or maybe the covers get dog-eared... I for one like to always have a book in my bag and although hardbacks are heavier they are definitely easier to take care of :) Oh, and when you read a hardback usually you can do some other things too (I use to eat when I am reading or sometimes I exercise) because it stays open by itself. You cannot do almost anything with a paper back because you need a hand to hold it open LOL.

definitely paperback. I like to read in the tub (when I need some 'me' time or I don't feel good) and it is quite difficult to hold a hard bound book in the tub. And if a part of it gets wet, your hand turns the color of the book. Hardcover books look better (more sophisticated) displayed on bookshelves, but paperbacks are so much easier to handle and carry around.

To read, like from the library or whatever, I don't have a preference. But for my own collection at home I prefer the hard cover. I just feel that it is better because it can with stand being moved, read, children messing with it and not having to worry about the cover getting torn or bent. I also like the looks of the hard cover too. But as the saying goes,"To each their own!"

I love hardcovers, but I've also discovered a soft spot (excuse the pun) for the trade paperbacks. They are the softcovers that are larger than the mass market paperbacks. I have the whole Dark Tower series by Stephen King in trade paperback. Seems to combine the best of both worlds - easy to handle with the flexible covers yet large enough to feel like a real book.

i prefer paperbacks..they are lighter...they are cheaper to purchase..and i dont have to keep that darn slip cover in place...i'll read either if its from the library...but if i'm buying its paperback all the way