Two questions on books

[Soubriquet]

Do you prefer hardback or softback? Do you wait for the softback if only the hardback is available or are you desperate to read so get the hardback anyway?

And don’t you hate when an author does a series of books, they all have a certain style cover, then the last two suddenly change and they don’t match anymore

Kindle readers not welcome here

I'm curious about the new Strike book (JK Rowling). I've got the previous four in the paperback editions (not new covers after the TV series). The main version being sold now is the hardback version, obviously as that's always released first.

But there are also paperback versions available on amazon. They might be American versions, or those Airport versions that are more like hardback shape/size, but paperback covers, and I don't want those. I want the matching one.

There is one being sold that looks like the right edition. It's more expensive than the hardback, but that would be OK if it's actually the right one, but not if it isn't! Do they ever release the paperback at the same time, but just charge more so that people will buy the hardback? It seems backwards as a system to me, but maybe they do. Right now the hardback is mostly discounted, which is why it's cheap and the paper back is probaby the normal price!

I mostly use kindle (sorry) but that’s because I don’t have enough room for the 100s of books I own.

Occasionally, I do buy books and I prefer paperback. I have, however, ordered the new Diane Abbott and Mariah Carey biographies so will be getting them in hardback.

I prefer paperback as I think they’re lighter and more comfortable to hold.

I never buy hardbacks, largely because they’re too heavy to read in bed, which is where I do a lot of my reading.
When I used to go to the library I never borrowed them either - same reason.
Publishers bring out hardback novels of popular authors in the run up to Christmas, in the hope of selling a lot as Christmas presents. They make more money from hardbacks.

Paperbacks for fiction. Hard back for non-fiction. No idea why.

I do have a paperwhite kindle. Great for travelling (those were the days) but rubbish for reading biographies, not least because any pictures don't show well. And you can't lend them to anyone!

And don't start me off on changing design mid-series. Grrrrrr.

@Thimbleberries

I'm curious about the new Strike book (JK Rowling). I've got the previous four in the paperback editions (not new covers after the TV series). The main version being sold now is the hardback version, obviously as that's always released first.

But there are also paperback versions available on amazon. They might be American versions, or those Airport versions that are more like hardback shape/size, but paperback covers, and I don't want those. I want the matching one.

There is one being sold that looks like the right edition. It's more expensive than the hardback, but that would be OK if it's actually the right one, but not if it isn't! Do they ever release the paperback at the same time, but just charge more so that people will buy the hardback? It seems backwards as a system to me, but maybe they do. Right now the hardback is mostly discounted, which is why it's cheap and the paper back is probaby the normal price!

I can only see 1 paperback edition on Amazon, @Thimbleberries, for £16.99, and I would bet that’s an international/export edition, so it’ll be a large ‘airport’ paperback and shouldn’t be for sale really at all to UK.

The ‘proper’ PB will be out sometime in 2021 - spring/summer most likely.

Hardback because it looks better in the bookcase.

Hardbacks take up too much space in the bookshelf so I'm happy with a paperback - if possible a trade paperback

Haven't noticed the second phenomenon tbh but yes, it would bug the hell out of me

Hardback for one I want to treasure.
Softback for price and ease of use.
Yes I hate it when a series changes its style half way through me getting it. Especially if the new style is nicer. 😂

Usually paperback for me, if I can't wait for a new one in a series I'd usually switch to kindle rather than hardback. I sometimes have some hardback new releases on my Christmas wish list though.

I couldn't care less what cover they have, 90% of them will be finding their way to the charity shop at some point.

Thanks @NoSquirrels, that must just be the airport one. There's also one listed for £14.49 on the main page, but only a few copies, so sounds like an export edition. I thought at first the publisher and edition numbers were the same as the other paperbacks, but then realised that the page was probably only giving the hardback information.

I wish they would release the paperback at the same time, even if it cost more - I'd still buy it because I prefer it!

I don't want to wait a year. I guess I could buy a Kindle version now and then the real one in paperback, but I'd rather have the book. I guess at least the previous one didn't end on a cliffhanger, so I can hang on for a few months.

I definitely prefer paperbacks - much easier to hold, and won't give you a black eye/ squashed foot if you fall asleep reading in bed/ have a dyspraxic moment!