Hardcover, Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback?

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Kevthenurse

Member
Jul 19, 2014
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33
43
Minneapolis, MN
I'm a bit old fashioned and like the feel of a paperback novel in my hands; but these days I have most books on my Kindle. I don't like hardcover books. While I speak English as a first language, I often encounter words that I don't know thus it is quite convenient for me to be able to highlight and look up a word without losing my place. In the past, I would either guess what the word means based on the context (which can be amusing if I get it wrong) or keep a dictionary handy.
Just the other day, I learned the word "petrichor" which describes the smell of damp earth after rain; particularly after a long dry spell. Now how often are you going to hear that one?
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
I'm a bit old fashioned and like the feel of a paperback novel in my hands; but these days I have most books on my Kindle. I don't like hardcover books. While I speak English as a first language, I often encounter words that I don't know thus it is quite convenient for me to be able to highlight and look up a word without losing my place. In the past, I would either guess what the word means based on the context (which can be amusing if I get it wrong) or keep a dictionary handy.
Just the other day, I learned the word "petrichor" which describes the smell of damp earth after rain; particularly after a long dry spell. Now how often are you going to hear that one?
I'm picturing in my head a couple of zombies that have just unearthed themselves from their respective graves and one turns to the other and says 'Say, the petrichor today is simply amazing!' :lol:
 

bigkingfan91

Well-Known Member
Mar 1, 2014
190
921
32
WV
As far as collecting, I buy them all. Any and every edition I can find. Like with many of my books, I have the 1st edition hardcover, and 2 or 3 different editions of the paperback. Personally for me I prefer reading paperbacks, simply because they aren't so bulky. I do hate how a lot of times the text is very small, or printed so far to the left you have to open the thing wide open just to read the 1st word on the left. I'm kind of obsessive with creases in the binding and that sort of thing, so I don't usually open the book wide open to read it, like most do. I've been buying a lot of the mass market paperbacks off Amazon lately, the ones I don't already have. Which, I would assume, are the "newer" printings of the paperbacks.. Those are my favorite to read for some reason. For example, with Pet Sematary, I have the 1st edition hardback, 2 or 3 copies of the original paperback, and the newer mass market paperback, the one with the green all over the covers. For Christine, I have a hardcover book club edition, the original paperback copy, another old paperback copy which looks to be the movie tie in, and then 2 copies of the sort of newer paperback with the orange and black covers... I prefer reading the newer paperbacks for some reason.. I wont feel right until I find a 1st edition NON BOOK CLUB hardcover of that one, and the newest mass market edition PB with the car on the front, headlights on. With IT, I have a 1st edition hardback, and what I take to be the original paperback... The wicked one with the claw & drain, boat on the front... I still need to get the mass market edition though, with the clown on the front and the boat behind the clown. I think a lot of it has to do with the smell of certain books, from the paper... As dumb as that sounds.. LOL
 

A.C.T_Guy

Active Member
Aug 21, 2014
33
172
I'd buy hardcover in store if given the choice. I'm basically stuck with soft covers though. Things seem a bit different in Australia. All new release titles come out in trade paperback in the bookstores (IDK why). I have never walked into a book shop and seen a King title in hardcover. If you want a hardcover you have to go online.
 

Moderator

Ms. Mod
Administrator
Jul 10, 2006
52,243
157,324
Maine
I'd buy hardcover in store if given the choice. I'm basically stuck with soft covers though. Things seem a bit different in Australia. All new release titles come out in trade paperback in the bookstores (IDK why). I have never walked into a book shop and seen a King title in hardcover. If you want a hardcover you have to go online.
We were told that they switched to trade paperback for first release because that's the format that was selling best.
 

TrueGeneration

Well-Known Member
Jun 15, 2014
6,354
22,711
NY
I do prefer hardcovers, as well! As everyone said, for my favorite authors and the next book in a series I like, I save up and buy the hardcover for that book.

Nothing wrong with a good paperback! The only thing is, I'm quite "OCD" when it comes to my books, so if there are creases or the cover/pages are bent, I kinda
"spaz"
o_O
 

A.C.T_Guy

Active Member
Aug 21, 2014
33
172
I do prefer hardcovers, as well! As everyone said, for my favorite authors and the next book in a series I like, I save up and buy the hardcover for that book.

Nothing wrong with a good paperback! The only thing is, I'm quite "OCD" when it comes to my books, so if there are creases or the cover/pages are bent, I kinda
"spaz"
o_O

I agree that paperbacks are more comfortable to read and I hear you on the OCD and creases. I'd take the hardcover though if it was there. I bought NOS4A2 last week online as a trade paperback, and during transit the bottom left corner got all folded over.
:rage:
 
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TrueGeneration

Well-Known Member
Jun 15, 2014
6,354
22,711
NY
I agree that paperbacks are more comfortable to read and I hear you on the OCD and creases. I'd take the hardcover though if it was there. I bought NOS4A2 last week online as a trade paperback, and during transit the bottom left corner got all folded over.
:rage:

I'd take a hardcover, too! But, man, they are pricey! I'm sorry that happened! (Depending where you got the book, you should let the seller know of the condition!)--I get so mad when it does! I bought The Stand (paperback) on Barnes & Nobles' website. When I got it in the mail, the top of the book (from both sides) were creased, and the back bottom cover and pages were all bent! Went to the nearest B&N, showed them the condition, and fortunately got a new and good copy!
 
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The Nameless

M-O-O-N - That spells Nameless
Jul 10, 2011
2,080
8,261
42
The Darkside of the Moon (England really)
I do prefer hardcovers, as well! As everyone said, for my favorite authors and the next book in a series I like, I save up and buy the hardcover for that book.

Nothing wrong with a good paperback! The only thing is, I'm quite "OCD" when it comes to my books, so if there are creases or the cover/pages are bent, I kinda
"spaz"
o_O
Most of my books are second hand from play.com, so at £1.60 - £3.00 some scuffing and spine creases are to be expected - in my case, even welcomed (I love a worn in, rellic looking book)
IMAG0006.jpg
but bent and folded pages p*sses me right off.

I don't mind if the advert/description says "condition: average", because then you know what to expect, but as you pointed out before, I have got a few books that were stated as good condition, but when I got them they were heavily creased and have the remnants of a peeled off sale sticker that's been too sticky. That said, it does sometimes work the other way, my Desperation was described as good condition, but when it arrived it was clearly unread - no bends, creases, scuffs, tanning etc. Normally the descriptions would go: Excellent - Very Good - Good - Average - Below Average.