Paperback vs. Hardcover

*Originally published on 3/7/12


I may not be as hardcore a reader or bookworm as others, or even as much as I'd like to be, but I still pride myself on my collection of books. I look forward to the day when I can have walls lined with bookshelves to showcase the as of yet unattained collection. The question that boggles the mind of every bibliophile is whether or not to get the hardcover or paperback version. Both have their pros and cons when dealing with collecting books.

For instance, hardcover books are generally much more expensive. This means that you won't be able to buy as many books as you would've had you gone for the paperback. They also tend to be bulkier which, depending on the book, could prove problematic if you travel a lot. They are also a bit harder to track down once the book has been out for a while and gone to paperback. With online shopping, it isn't the problem that it used to be, but if you are the rare person who frequents a bookstore, it is something to take into consideration.

On the other side, hardcover books do look nicer both in general appearance and when lined on a bookshelf. They are also generally more resilient than paperbacks. They are more travel friendly in the sense that they can take a lot more abuse whereas paperbacks can get crumpled, folded, or torn.

As mentioned before, paperbacks are a lot cheaper than hardcover. While some may argue that this is substituting quantity for quality, this may not be the case. A good book is a good book regardless of the cover. You can have a quality library filled with paperbacks and not worry about diluting your collection.

While paperbacks are generally more fragile, they can be kept in good condition with minimal effort.

One of the more notable instances of the hardcover vs. paperback debate arose when Wizards of the Coast released its Essentials series for the fourth edition of its popular role playing game, Dungeons and Dragons. Where the other players' handbooks were always in hardcover, these were in paperback. Oddly enough, a lot of players didn't take kindly to it.

Personal preference, of course, plays a role in determining which publishing format works better for you as a reader. Both paperback and hardcover books have their various pros and cons. Of course, at the end of the day, there's a distinct possibility that you don't really care whether the book is hardcover or not and just want to kick back, relax, and read it.