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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think hardback books are pointless

66 replies

Hooploop · 04/09/2022 21:31

Why do hardbacks still exist? They're too big to store and travel with, and use an unnecessary amount of resources in order to be made. Does anyone even buy them?

OP posts:
Thesearmsofmine · 04/09/2022 21:32

I hate hardback books, always wait for the paperback to come out. The only hardbacks I buy are beautiful books for the dc.

anotherpotoftea · 04/09/2022 21:33

I hate hardbacks, they hurt my hands. I wish they’d just do away with the bloody things!

Needhelp101 · 04/09/2022 21:34

Couldn't agree more. They're too heavy to read comfortably!

plsbekind · 04/09/2022 21:36

I love a hardback book! Only thing left in my handbag that isn't torn, covered in wet wipe juice or lost in my Mary poppins bag!

CaptainThe95thRifles · 04/09/2022 21:37

A really nice hardback book is a thing of beauty. I will always find room for a beautiful book.

I might be an anachronism in modern society though!

Ylvamoon · 04/09/2022 21:38

A decent hardback is for keeping!
I don't mind paperbacks but they will be unsightly after 2nd or 3rd read. Hence adding to the growing rubbish mountain.
All my favourite books are HB and have a place in my bookshelf.

Original poster
Hooploop · 04/09/2022 21:38

Oh and not to mention they are usually much more expensive than the paperback version.

OP posts:
YellowPlumbob · 04/09/2022 21:39

YABVU. They are beautiful. And something I still spend money on - 99% of the time I buy second hand books because I love a worn book as much as a beautiful hardcover.

scrivette · 04/09/2022 21:39

I like a beautiful hard backed book to keep and admire and read time and again. I like a paperback to read once and then pass on.

NuffSaidSam · 04/09/2022 21:40

They're very nice though aren't they.

They look nice. They feel nice. They often smell nice.

Lots of things are too big to travel with, but we have them because they're nice.

GOODCAT · 04/09/2022 21:40

I buy a hardback if I want to keep it as it keeps better and looks better on a bookshelf. I pass on paperbacks once I have read them, but nowadays mostly read ebooks from the library.

NeedToKnow101 · 04/09/2022 21:41

I hate hardback novels and actually have a phobia of them.

DSGR · 04/09/2022 21:43

I adore hardbacks and still but then often

DSGR · 04/09/2022 21:43

Buy

ILoveMonday · 04/09/2022 21:47

YABVVU - I adore books and have a collection of first edition, hard back books of my favourite authors. They're the books I take down from the shelf when I need a comfort read and they're all in immaculate condition. A couple of them have accrued value due to their rarity.

DappledThings · 04/09/2022 21:48

Hate them. Too heavy, take up too much space in my bag. Just annoying.

Have taken all the dust jackets off all the ones I have now on the shelves and they look a bit better.

Been given a few as have a friend who was senior in publishing and used to get us early copies free sometimes. Would never buy one.

LuciferRising · 04/09/2022 21:51

I collect beautiful hardbacks and read cheaper books on my kindle.

I'm going to have a library once DC moves out and playroom free.

LittleOwl153 · 04/09/2022 21:53

I never bothered with hardbacks until my daughter started to read... she is a bookworm, but not the most 'careful' with her books. Hardbacks mean her books stay in tack and can get passed on to her brother.

Hardbacks bought second hand are often in considerably better condition too so therefore I would say increases the lifespan of a single book - so better for the environment?

Timeandtune · 04/09/2022 21:54

I love hardback books. I can’t wait for things
to come out in
paperback. I read all the reviews in magazines/ newspapers before deciding what to buy and once read I give to a charity shop.

spirit20 · 04/09/2022 21:55

I love reading, and the sensation of opening a new book, but I fully agree with you OP. They're just too expensive, too big, too impracticable to carry around, and I hate the paper covers that come with them, they're always so awkward to keep on while reading, and if you take them off, you're just left with a boring plain cover. I definitely prefer soft-back books.

LuciferRising · 04/09/2022 21:57

The hardbacks I buy don't tend to have paper covers.

Hellothere54 · 04/09/2022 21:59

YABU but then I have multiple copies of treasured books as I love the different hardback covers, especially for classics. I also have three versions of Six of Crows, a YA book by Leigh Bardugo. Bought the ebook as I wasn’t sure if I’d like it. Then bought the paperback as I don’t always like reading eBooks, then found out they do both books in the duology in special edition, prettily foiled hardback, so for that! I’m also a sucker for a Waterstones special edition hardback …

knitnerd90 · 04/09/2022 22:00

I love hardback books. They're more durable. Many hardcover copies are purchased by libraries, which need copies that can stand up to lending.

FatOaf · 04/09/2022 22:00

I wish they’d just do away with the bloody things!

Why? If you prefer paperbacks, read paperbacks. I like hardbacks if they're going to stay on my shelves for many years after first reading. I'm re-reading several novels this summer and really wish I'd bought hardbacks as there are pages falling out of these paperbacks.

LizzieSiddal · 04/09/2022 22:00

I’ve just bought the new Strike hardback.
I’ll admit it’s rather heavy all 1012 pages of it🤣 but I love the look and feel of a hard back and they last forever.