We've talked about where we shop and now I want to examine what format of book we buy. Again, we have so may options when buying a book: trade size paperbacks, traditional paperbacks, hardbacks, and now e-books. I'll admit a deep fascination for e-books and the sleek, sophisticated readers available right now. I would love to get an e-book reader, and for a variety of reasons too. The environmental impact alone is a plus for me. One thing holds me back. I'm afraid that curling up on the couch with a computer gadget will not be the same as holding a bound paper book. I like collecting my favorite authors in hardback and keeping them on my shelves. I like browsing book stores for some new paperbacks. I really wish that more books were published in the trade size because it is more comfortable to hold and read. However, cost is becoming more of an issue these days and I like the affordability of paperbacks.
What kind of books do you prefer to buy? Are you a techno-savvy e-book person or a traditional hold the book and turn the page sort? Do you buy a lot of hardbacks anymore? Do you like the trade size? How big a factor does cost play in choosing books?
10 comments:
I love and prefer my paperbacks. I have an indention in my left palm from the trade paperbacks, I dislike hardbacks mainly because they are heavy however willing to make an exception with Dacre Stoker since he is coming to my indy for a Booksigning. I'm also saving up for an ereader (Every Amazon giftcard I win/get is going into the fund) but I hate having to be glued to a screen for long periods of time.
I do prefer a bigger book in my hands to read. If I find a paperback and love it, I turn around and buy it in hardback if it's out there. I would love to get an e-reader too.
I like all the formats, hardcover, trade, mass market, ebook, audio. The only thing that irks me is when I buy a series and the first three come out in trade, but then the 4th one is mass market--argh! I understand why the publishing house does it, but it makes life tough for a collector. (whine)
Cyd- I am insanely jealous! You truly have the best Indy store around.
Rain- Bigger books are definitely easier to hold and I do something similar with books I like. Certain authors are always in hardback for me(JD Robb, Laurell K Hamilton are a couple) while others stay in paperbacks.
Zita- My thoughts exactly! Why do they switch sizes mid series? I guess it all comes down to money.
I normally purchase mass market paperbacks. I've been known to shell out the extra cash for hardcovers if it's an author who I really love or if the cover is ridicoulsy beautiful.
I wasn't a fan of audio books but my commute to work became longer in recent weeks and in an effort to control my road rage, I went ahead and purchased one. The format is starting to grow on me. I tend to lose focus when I'm changing lanes but for the most part I'm enjoying it.
My boyfriend tried to convince me to purchase an e-reader but I'm fighting him tooth and nail on it. I like the feel of a book in my hands. I have to work on a computer all day long so the last thing I want to do is look at another screen when I get home.
I really want to get an e-reader but the initial cost is too much for me. I know that if I took what I spend on books and figured that towards the cost it would make sense to purchase an e-reader. I'm hoping next year. I'm just not sure about the screen thing as opposed to the paper pages. I'm sure you get used to it.
I prefer my mass market paperbacks. I like the feel of it in my hand. I have to stare so much at a computer screen at work that I really don't like the idea of trying to read a book on a miniature version.
I loathe trade size paperbacks. I can't fit it in my purse or any book cover I have. Plus, I can buy two mass market paperbacks for the price of one trade. It's rare I purchase hardback. Too bulky and cumbersome.
I'm a manager at a Waldenbooks and the most popular have to be the paperbacks. They're cheaper and easier to carry around. I prefer them just to save money and space.
-Amber
I live in a motorhome so the eReader format is my favorite. I read them on my Palm Treo, which I always have with me anyway. Or on the laptop, if I'm eating lunch... I do not intend to buy a Kindle - yet another piece of electronics to tote around. I have most of Yarbro's in physical books so I'll complete the series that way, but everything else I read I'd prefer to have electronically.
I prefer to physically hold, smell etc etc a book in my hand.
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