Fess Up: Hardcover, Paperback, Audio Book, or Kindle/e-book?

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Ogie Ogilthorpe

Ogie Ogilthorpe

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I'm an unabashed, ardent supporter of reading hardcover books, not paperback or other options. It's not even close in my mind.

But I'm willing to at least listen.

What's your argument for paperback or Kindle or audio books? Make your case, I could be convinced to at least diversify.
 

since I retired, I have bought a lot of used books from various internet sites. Most of my purchases are paperbacks because they tend to be less expensive. Hey, I'm not rich, so I have to be careful how I spend my money, and I can typically buy several paperbacks for the price of one hardcover.

paperbacks are also smaller, so they take up less room on my bookshelves and they're easier to read in bed.

that is not a hard-and-fast rule. I picked up a hard-cover recently (a collection of Pauline Kael's movie reviews) because the hardcover was selling for less than the paperback version on that site.
I also have a collection of hard-cover books in two different science-fiction series because I wanted the books to match. (already had some of each series in hard-cover from when I was in High School).

book-hunting is a lot of fun, but I've had to dial it back recently because I was spending quite a bit of money. but I did complete my set of all 82 Perry Mason novels by Erle Stanley Gardner in paperback. (Perry's clients were all innocent......)
 

I like hardcover just so I can use the cover flap as a bookmark. But really hardcover & paperback are interchangeable for me. Depends on availability and publisher I guess.

I don't use e-readers or audio books. I spend enough time looking at a screen and the radio is for music & news.
 


If possible, hardcover every time, for all reasons-reading it, aesthetically (one of life’s underrated beauties is a lineup of hardcover books, spines with dust jackets facing outward), and storage.

Trade paperbacks come in next, with mass market relegated to the necessity of traveling light.

Kindle’s a nice option for traveling and I do like the function of looking up vocabulary and highlighting passages but when I am at home it never gets picked up.
 


I prefer physical books over anything electronic.

The only electronic version I use is Libby. It's an app that you tie to your library card. Very convenient when travelling or when I've run out of reading material.
 

I use them all.

Hardcover, paperback, Kindle, Libby, audio from time to time...
 

coolhandgopher said:
If possible, hardcover every time, for all reasons-reading it, aesthetically (one of life’s underrated beauties is a lineup of hardcover books, spines with dust jackets facing outward), and storage.

Trade paperbacks come in next, with mass market relegated to the necessity of traveling light.

Kindle’s a nice option for traveling and I do like the function of looking up vocabulary and highlighting passages but when I am at home it never gets picked up.
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I want to be talked into trying a Kindle or some version of it; everything about it seems great, convenient, accessible, versatility, accessibility of library... everything except the actual aspect of holding a book in your hands and enjoying it.

I'm sure I'll break down and try one at some point but not yet
 

Count me in the group that doesn't like the electronic versions of books. I also still get magazines delivered to my house as I much prefer the physical copy.
 



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I have the nook and Libby apps on my iPad. I’m basically all electronic and at least 95% of the books I read come from the library.
 

I read a lot of non-fiction books and I like to highlight when I read. I usually buy paperback to save on costs, and have yet to use a Kindle, though that's all my wife uses.

Go Gophers!!
 

More and more have gravitated to Kindle. That Libby app mentioned a couple of times in the thread makes things very easy. Honestly, as I get older, just don’t want to physically have books.
 



tikited said:
1. Hardcover
1a. Paperback
Nothing else.
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This is basically where I'm at. I've read ebooks in the past.....but I just prefer a physical copy. Hardcover if possible.....but I can deal with paperbacks. Don't really care much if I bunny ear a paperback.....but I prefer to keep my hardcovers in good shape. Post-it Flags make for great bookmarks.
 

Hardcover by far the best, but man are ebooks convenient. I usually put a couple hardcover books on my Christmas list, but when I finish a book at 9pm and want a new one, it's just too easy to download one to my tablet.
 

Hard copy for everything fiction. Kindle for everything learning/self-improvement.

When I read books on programming, it's always on Kindle. The ability to make notes/highlight, immediately look up definitions, etc...Can't be beat. But I will always appreciate my physical copies.
 

I have still never used a Kindle or listened to an audiobook. I'm not terribly picky about what form of books I have but it is cool to have some nice hard covers around. For example I have a first edition of Tolkien's Silmarillion and Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum.
Also last Christmas my dad gave me the complete collection of New Yorker cartoons. I love having it but it's two volumes on each of them ways about 30 lb s.
 

fan of Ray Williams said:
More and more have gravitated to Kindle. That Libby app mentioned a couple of times in the thread makes things very easy. Honestly, as I get older, just don’t want to physically have books.
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Nax5 said:
Hard copy for everything fiction. Kindle for everything learning/self-improvement.

When I read books on programming, it's always on Kindle. The ability to make notes/highlight, immediately look up definitions, etc...Can't be beat. But I will always appreciate my physical copies.
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Well, you just can't ever say never....

I recently grabbed a Kindle off Amazon because (forewarning, this will sound foolish) I left the book I was reading while traveling in another house and knew I wouldn't be back there anytime soon, and literally had like two chapters left to finish. The Kindle was like same day delivery on Amazon, figured I'd give it a shot to at least finish the book.

While I still love hardcover, without question, I'm surprised at how damn easy the Kindle is; two aspects in particular. First, when reading in bed (most often Mrs. Ogie sleeps first), I don't have to have my light on to read the Kindle and the hardcover book I do. Secondly, I often travel with just a backpack for certain flights (to MN or SD, whatever) and the Kindle sure will take up a lot less room/weight in the backpack. Also a lot easier/lighter to hold for reading in general.

I don't see 100% going away from hardcover but I'm almost ashamed to admit that I can see a slow conversion in the works... I will say, I'm surprised at how expensive (using the term relatively) books are on Kindle. The book that started this mess was a Scott Turow book that I bought used on Thrift Books (how I buy almost all my books) for like $5; even for a 25-yr old book, that same book was like $12 on Kindle. WTF....
 

Nokomis said:
I like hardcover just so I can use the cover flap as a bookmark. But really hardcover & paperback are interchangeable for me. Depends on availability and publisher I guess.

I don't use e-readers or audio books. I spend enough time looking at a screen and the radio is for music & news.
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I should also say that I have gone to these kinds of glasses for later reading, easier on the eyes.

ROKA: Wind Down Reader Glasses

I'm a big Roka fan, and I know blue light, or looking at screens later at night is no bueno, so I have been using these.
 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
I will say, I'm surprised at how expensive (using the term relatively) books are on Kindle. The book that started this mess was a Scott Turow book that I bought used on Thrift Books (how I buy almost all my books) for like $5; even for a 25-yr old book, that same book was like $12 on Kindle. WTF....
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A common sentiment I share that goes for all digital goods. Movies, video games, books, etc...Cost is usually the same or more + you can't sell it if you don't want it. Many reasons to really appreciate physical media.

All that said, patience has gotten me lots of books on Kindle for < $5. If you can wait for sales, it doesn't hurt too bad!
 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
I should also say that I have gone to these kinds of glasses for later reading, easier on the eyes.

ROKA: Wind Down Reader Glasses

I'm a big Roka fan, and I know blue light, or looking at screens later at night is no bueno, so I have been using these.
Click to expand...
Do they make these as readers? Just started finding low light reading getting difficult.

And to your OP, as an avid reader.

I agree with the hardcover. Paperback is acceptable, if it is substantially cheaper, or hard to get a hardcover. I will not personally use kindle. I will buy books I want to read part of, paperback, because they’re on clearance or thrift.

My sister, also voracious, would share your opinion. However, she swears by adding the kindle (if money doesn’t matter). She gets both. Always has the kindle. She then leaves the hard copy at home. She reads much more in small bits of time that way (I think with Kindle she can get them real cheap as add on?).

Really can add up for her overall reading consumption. Basically, she is reading like a GenZer uses their Social media. She is just learning something, while they’re shitting their mental health away.
 

atsgopher said:
Do they make these as readers? Just started finding low light reading getting difficult.
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They have everything; readers, prescription, sunglasses, etc. They have great looking glasses, well-made, solid, always come with a really nice case. They've morphed into mostly eyewear and wetsuits

They're not cheap but I love their products. Between sunglasses, cycling glasses and readers, I probably have 20+ pairs of Rokas, and other Roka products. They started out doing triathlon gear, their primary specialty was swimming wetsuits (they've been #1 on the triathlon circuit for years now). Couple guys started out in their garage in Austin, TX; I like supporting small business and US business, or at least they WERE small business.
 

Ogie Ogilthorpe said:
They have everything; readers, prescription, sunglasses, etc. They have great looking glasses, well-made, solid, always come with a really nice case. They've morphed into mostly eyewear and wetsuits

They're not cheap but I love their products. Between sunglasses, cycling glasses and readers, I probably have 20+ pairs of Rokas, and other Roka products. They started out doing triathlon gear, their primary specialty was swimming wetsuits (they've been #1 on the triathlon circuit for years now). Couple guys started out in their garage in Austin, TX; I like supporting small business and US business, or at least they WERE small business.
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Thanks, appreciate the info here.
 

  • I'm either reading a hardcover edition or listening to an audiobook. The latter comes into play when I'm jogging, walking my dog, or taking a long car drive.
  • I always buy my books from my local bookstore, not Amazon. The local store appreciates my business, Amazon won't miss it, and it costs the same. Go local.
  • I rarely check out a book from the library. If I'm reading their book, I feel I should support the author. Writers (except for VERY few) make very little income from books, and basically $2 to $3 total if it's a library book.
  • And if one of your goals is to support the author, pre-order the book. Pre-orders make a big difference in publishers' marketing campaigns.
 

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