Thursday 26 February 2009

Booking Through Thursday


Hardcover? Or paperback?
Illustrations? Or just text?
First editions? Or you don’t care?
Signed by the author? Or not?
This is easy. A book is a book! Its the words that matter, and the words that I will buy it for. To prize a book because it's a first edition, or signed by the author is to put a quality on a book that goes above the actual original purpose of the book. You can tell here I'm not precious about books at all! I like to keep them in the state I acquired them, but never pristine! Books are for reading, and a book that looks loved and well read is more attractive than a first edition or signed copy that is mollycoddled and kept on a shelf to preserve its 'perfect' status. Hmmm, I think I'm starting to rant a bit now so I will just say that is obviously my opinion and I accept that a lot of people feel differently.
Generally I'll buy paperbacks, I just find them easier to read and easier to store. I'll only buy a hardback if it's a book I really want to read as it's published, rather than wait for the paperback version to be released. And even then, only if I can't get it from the library.

10 comments:

Savidge Reads said...

I am definately in agreement with you!

Mo said...

BRAVO!!!!

I agree wholeheartedly!

Beth F said...

The important part is that you're reading! I do like to keep my books in good condition.

Lisa (Southern Girl Reads) said...

I agree - books are meant to be read and re-read, so a gently used copy is the sign of a good book! I do like the trade size paperbacks for convenience, however for my favorite authors I still prefer the hardcovers.

gautami tripathy said...

A book is a book! I echo that!

My BTT post

Anonymous said...

I agree, the content is what is most important. Some of my hardbacks I have for that same reason -- I just didn't want to wait for the paperback. That does make me feel a little manipulated by the publishers -- I wish they'd release paperbacks at the same time.

Nise' said...

Tell us how you really feel! True, books are for reading just like my collection of teddy bears are for hugging.

Cheryl Pitt said...

A book is a book is a book? Sacrilege! LOL, just kidding. I agree, we buy the books for the words, not the cover or anything else.

Cheryl-Unadorned Book Reviews

claire said...

I agree about books being more attractive when well-used and read! I love pretty covers and illustrations, but get my books used and a little worn.

Anonymous said...

I agree that words matter most of all things. Even words that are beautiful written, that give you a perfect picture image of what you seeing in the book,as the text are discribed. Emotion in text show and tell us what kind of characters are like. And so on....

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