I hate softcover books. I hate how little they are, how the binding screws up so quick, how easily they are mested up and how they dry out my fingers.
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I hate softcover books. I hate how little they are, how the binding screws up so quick, how easily they are mested up and how they dry out my fingers.
I usually go with hardcover, since they're usually printed on larger-sized paper, which helps me see the text better.
I agree with you IronPlanet, but I prefer softcover books because their smaller size makes it more convenient when you're on the move.
All about the hard-cover. I'm also a packaging whore so you have to factor that in as well. The point is: Hard-cover books don't get bent in half!
Same as above: Hardcover. Hardcover book's spines don't bend and they can take a beating (though I try to take excellent care of my books). The soft-cover spine for Mien Kempf is struggling now that I'm half-way through it.
I also like how the stacks of unread hardbacks make my room look. Stupid softcovers don't stack as well, and are easy to lose.
Softcover costs less. So it wins.
However, in a library, I prefer hardcover. Not coincidentally, thats what most books are in the library.
Hardcover, for sure. I like keeping my books.
I like 'em both I suppose.
The feeling of a nice, old, "worn in", softcover book is just good stuff.
I thought this thread said "Softcore vs. Hardcore."
My interest has all but faded.
I like them both, each has its advantages. Hardcover looks great, doesn't bend and will last you a whole heck of alot longer (worthj more, too if you have special editions) and softcover books are the best for travel (lighter weight and easier storage).
LOL!!! When I first came in here I thought it was softcore vs hardcore (porn) and i was reading the 1st post like WTF? Anyhow, I have no preferance, they both have there ups and downs
I prefer hardcover, but I usually buy the paperback books for school and that is usually the only reason I buy books. I do have a nice set of The Lord of the Rings trilogy in a hardbacks and a box to hold them in :)
Hardcover. they are easier to read because you can just set them down and they will stay open to the page you are on. With soft cover you have to hold the book open which always cramps my arms/hands because I try not to hold it open too far for fear of the spine getting all ruined. That's another reason I hate soft covers, unless you are really careful, the spine of the book gets all worn out.
It depends really. On authors that I really like to track (currently only Chuck Palanuik, Neal Stephenson, and Anne Rice), then it's hardcover just so I can get them as soon as possible. If its something like a classic that has both, I'll usually go for the hardcover as well (Bram Stoker's Dracula, Brave New World, things like that). If it's just casual fast reading, then softcover.
Soft-cover. Cheaper, they tend to have more bonus features, and I hate that flimsy piece of paper cover on hard-covers that tear oh, so easily.
But I never read mass-market soft-cover books since I think they're some of the ugliest and gaudiest things in the world.
Me too, Omni. Me too.... *sigh*Quote:
Originally posted by OmniGear
I thought this thread said "Softcore vs. Hardcore."
My interest has all but faded.
Hardcover. Hardcover books, especially of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy variety useally include maps of the world, space-ships and the like. You don't get that in the softcover books, and if you do, it's severly watered down.
Hardcover, but truth be told, I prefer leather bound the most. I used to spend too much money on books, so now I try to only buy leatherbound, all the rest I grab from the library.
Whatever's at the library or on-hand. I would never pay the extra money to buy a hardcover book, though. But then again, there's also very few books I would actually buy.
What does it really matter, anyway? The content is the same, no? The only advantage hardcover books have is that they come out earlier, in my eyes.
It is the same as people who want to buy a game complete with case and instructions: it looks nice on the shelf. I read books no mater what form they are in, but if I'm going to have a few out on display in my living room, I'll take a nice group of hardcover novels over the broken spined paperback collection any day.Quote:
Originally posted by Ichabod
What does it really matter, anyway? The content is the same, no? The only advantage hardcover books have is that they come out earlier, in my eyes.
Paperback man myself. I feel like an ass trying to read some huge hardcover "novel" on the go. Why don't I just start smoking a pipe while I'm at it.
They do that? I haven't noticed.Quote:
Originally posted by Captain Vegetable
Hardcover. Hardcover books, especially of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy variety useally include maps of the world, space-ships and the like. You don't get that in the softcover books, and if you do, it's severly watered down.
I prefer softcover myself. It's all in my head, I imagine, but they're easier for me to read.. the pages seem to turn more quickly. I also own tons of Hardcover books though. If it's something I know I'll enjoy, I won't have the patience for the year+ wait.
I hate hardcover, I really do. I hate the fact that you can only read the book decently when in the middle of it (and when you're reading a giant 800-pages book that takes a while). I also hate the fact that they are usually bigger, and that they are not fit to take on a journey.
I like hardcover. If I'm going to spend any money on a book, I like to spent it on a copy that's going to last a while. I also like the feel of them...they just feel more permanent than softcovers, and I get all fuzzy inside at the bigger and more varied typefaces and when they use roughcut pages.
Used copies in nice condition are usually available for most books. And call me anal, but I like to put library-style mylar covers over my books' dust jackets. Those and the hard bindings make the books damn near indestructible.
Price shouldn't really be a issue now with the magic of the internet. I've been building up my Anne Rice collection, and for the most part have paid less for all my hardbacks than what you would pay for the average softcover new. Thank you ebay, thank you.
I should read titles a little more carefully. I tought it said if you prefered.. sOft Core porn, or hard core porn..
ha..
Try looking at the bargain tables of your local bookstores... once a book comes out in paperback, the hardcover copies will usually hit the bargain tables at an average of $2 less than the paperback. But they go pretty quick and can't usually be re-ordered, so you have to make sure to check fairly often if you're on the lookout for something in particular.Quote:
Softcover costs less. So it wins.
Also, some counties' libraries will actually set up a store somewhere in town... there's one in an outlet mall near me, books range from .50 to $4, almost all hardcover. Of course, they all have that fugly clear plastic that library books have, but you're apt to find some rarities... I found a couple of Fletch novels which have been out of print for some time the last time I went.
Also, Bookfinder, Abebooks, and Half.com are your friends.
Hardcover wins hands down. Not so good for travel (although the new Terry Pratchett came out the day before E3, so it traveled anyway) but wonderful for everything else. The dust jacket doubles as a bookmark, too. :)
James
Hardcover books just look sso eligant and classy on a shelf..They dont get beat to shit and bent like softcover. :D