Is Paperback Vs Hardcover Better For Collectors?

Most fans of books like to argue over whether it’s better to read a paperback or a hardcover. I prefer hardcover because they last longer and look nicer on a shelf than a paperback. Not only does a hardcover last longer, but it’s also nice to hold and feel between your hands. When you open up a hardcover, you can be sure that it’ll look good for a long time, and if it doesn’t, then that’s not your problem. The only thing that you have to worry about with a hardcover is the breaking of the spine (the glue that holds the pages together). When a hardcover is opened and closed repeatedly, the spine can break and the book can fall apart. However, when a hardcover is opened for the first time, you can be sure to hear a nice creak as the spine breaks. It’s almost as if you’re unveiling a treasure.

Beyond this, though, I also like how the hardcover versions of my books look on my shelves. Much of the cover art for hardcovers is really stunning and then there’s the design of the spine which makes for a really attractive book. In many cases I find myself rearranging the books on the shelves of my living room so that the ones I like the look of most are at the front. As previously mentioned, I also recognize the advantage of paperbacks – they are lighter which means more convenient for carrying around. Many of the books I’ve read as paperbacks are now available in cheaper paperback editions. Some collect the limited edition versions of a book (often published to coincide with an author’s tour) or indeed signed copies of their favorite book. Many of these are published as hardcovers.

All these thoughts have returned to me, and I’m nostalgic for some of the fantasy books I read as a child in paperback and in hardback. Just flipping through the pages brings back the memories of all those wonderful books.

Collectors can debate paperbacks versus hardcovers until the cows come home but personally, I find that paperbacks make far better collectables. Not only are they lightweight enough to toss in a bag, which is perfect for reading on the train or in the park, but I can carry many more around with me. Add to that the generally far lower cost of most paperbacks and it makes for far easier collecting.

I see why people like hardcover books. Many classic novels are published in beautiful hardcover editions that look stunning on a shelf. It’s nice to have a collector’s edition of a favorite book with a beautifully designed cover. However, for me, paperbacks are the way to go because of their convenience and affordability. A paperback allows you to read anywhere, at any time. So every moment can be a reading moment.

I much prefer my books to be in hardcover. For starters, there’s just something about the prestige of a hardcover on your shelf. My elaborate hardcovers really make my bookshelf look great. And while years can pass and a paperback will begin to deteriorate (yellowing, tearing, etc.), a hardcover will retain the book in fantastic condition for years to come. I’m a collector, so this is really important to me. I can pick and choose which books to start with in a long series, for example.

There is something to be said for the feel of a hardcover between your hands though – particularly the sound of the binding snapping as you open it up to start reading. I love how easy paperbacks are to throw in a bag, to read in bed with, to have a unique and stylish cover. But really, hardcovers are where it’s at for me.