Do you buy paperback books?

[Veggieburgers]

I would like some indication of how many people still buy a physical book, in preference to an e book.

I've no interest in ever buying an ebook.

Yes I prefer a second hand paperback as I chuck them in my bag and read in the bath etc etc not suitable for a fancy e-reader

Real books, paperbacks, sometimes new, mainly from charity shops. I also borrow from the library. Much prefer a ‘real’ book.

Only by Bret Easton Ellis and Douglas Coupland, my favourite authors, or the occasional non-fiction book. I read so many books and also have a garage full from my BA and MA in Literature that continuing to purchase paperback just isn’t feasible.

Yes yes yes! I love the physicality of books and feel that while there is definitely a place for kindles .. for me in the day to day and as a lifelong reader - paperbacks are where it's at and always will be - plus books enhance your home

Thank you all for your replies. I was debating whether or not to bother publishing my book in paperback form as well as a Kindle. You have persuaded me to publish a print copy. I had no idea so many people still bought physical books. I live in a small flat where I don't have much room for bookshelves, which is why I prefer my Kindle.

No it's all kindle now.

Yes but only if its non fiction. Information books I need to read a page to actually under stand the words and slow my brain down enough for me to read it all but I'll always buy or borrow audiobooks for fiction because I can just let the words and the story kind of wash over me whilst I'm doing something else. Never used a kindle and I don't want to pay that much and realise I don't use it.

Yes I do, but not all books because I'd have nowhere to store them all! I use a kindle as well because it's so practical but I love reading a physical book.

Yes, I do. I also buy ebooks, but much prefer paper ones.

I bought e-books when I had a four hour train commute and a kindle was just easier (no finishing your book an hour into the journey). I also buy them when I need a book quickly, eg I haven’t read the bookclub book and we are meeting tomorrow! Other than that I have a horrible physical book addiction, I will often read a review and go straight to the Amazon website to buy or if I hear one of my favourite authors has a new book out I will pre-order. My book shelves are overflowing 😁

I buy or ask for about 12 to 20 books a year, all paperback. I'm reading one and have 2 remaining this year. I created my Christmas book list a couple of months ago, it has 11 books on it, which is more than usual for a single diary date purchase, iyswim, but all being well they'll see me through to summer (i don't persevere with books i don't like, they go straight to charity).

Yep, I've tried a few samples. Could barely get through the samples (and some I didn't) wayyyyy too annoying! Which is a shame, I'd quite like a bedtime story!!

Yes, only ever ‘real’ books.

@Veggieburgers yep paperbacks all the way. Charity shop near me has a good supply of books that aren't twice as thick as when they were new & I buy new as well, don't buy e books & very rarely hard back.

Yes. I prefer a hard copy of a book rather than a digital. I also prefer a paper back than a hard back but will accept a hard back if it’s a book I’ve been waiting a long time for

I buy paperbacks and hardbacks, no kindle at all. Just feel like I have enough screens in my life & much prefer the feel of reading a real book.

I do like an audiobook too though but only for certain types of story as they aren't all easy to follow off the page.

Never buy ebooks - I spend enough time on a screen for work and the time I read most is in the bath

Paperback copies only here, mostly second hand, approx 1 a week

I prefer reading physical books. Although I tend to borrow more books from the library than I buy.

I usually only read ebooks if I’m on holiday / travelling when it’s easier than carrying physical books around.

Yes, regularly buy books.
Have never bought an eBook.

I do but mostly second hand.

I prefer physical books and tend to use ebooks only when abroad

I think you've asked the wrong question. For a selfpublished book, you need distribution and storage for the physical books. Marketing them is also tricky unless you already have the networks.

In comparison formatting an ebook and using amazon to sell is way less problematic.

I think if your question had been more neutral, you would have had a different set of answers. I buy ebooks, use borrowbox and libby, buy books secondhand but very rarely buy paperbacks new, especially if the author is new to me.

Yes definitely.

I buy both. The Kindle is unbeatable for traveling and for reading in bed without having to put the light on and waking DH (and mine is waterproof).
Still read a lot of paperbacks.
Can't do hardbacks. Too unwieldy. Most of my reading is done in bed and I cant read a hardback lying down.