Hard vs. Soft cover

[Eomer]

Saw this brought up by someone in another thread, that they feel hardcover books "read better." I found this kind of strange. I've always despised hardcovers in terms of actually reading the book. They're heavy, the spine is often very stiff and just overall I find a pain in the ass to read. And on top of that, because you've got this beautiful hardcover that you've spent anywhere from 20 to 100 bucks on, you're all worried about damaging it (taking off the sleeve and storing for later while you read it, etc). And they're certainly not overly portable.

So what's your preference? Obviously, for pride of ownership, hardcovers can't be beaten. I love my hardcover Dark Tower books, especially for the nice artwork within, and my Far Side Collection in two massive leatherbound tomes is a thing of beauty. But in terms of the main purpose of a book, which is to be read, I find paperback-type novels far superior. Or even "trade" sized paperbacks are fine (my sister explained the different sizes and names, as she used to work at a bookstore, I just ignored her). They're just way easier to read, you're not overly concerned about maintaining their appearance, and if it gets wrecked big deal, you're out 15 bucks max.

[Kasonic]

Hardcovers are pretty sitting on your shelf, while paperbacks are easily to damage and get those white ripping-spine lines, but are much easier to read and always cheaper. Most of the hardcovers I've read all seem to have really big text compared to a paperback equivalent as well.

As a collector, hardcover, as an frequently-reading-in-awkward-positions-or-places-er, paperback.

[sachemsiouxx]

I like doing two things with books : reading them and giving them.
When I want to reread a book, I usually rebuy it and then offer it to someone else after.
Which leaves no place for hardcovers at all, my bookshelf looks like crap.
If some book editor reads this, please please oh please stop editing some books ( hi2u GeorgeRMartin ) in hard cover only

[Khorum]

If it was up to me, all my books would be paperback! But it's not up to me. Publishers have been holding onto Hardback editions longer and longer now... and we're forced to buy the fucking hardback unless you wanna wait a whole year (Stephenson's Baroque Cycle grrrrrr). So practically all the books I end up buying are in hardcover. Worse, the best books out now tend to be MONSTROUS 1000+ page affairs, and they weigh in at around 5-8 pounds, hardly something you can take on the subway and read to work. (Stephenson and R.R. Martin again grrr).

[Kuro]

I generally buy Hard cover when it comes out, then a softcover a year later when the softcover finally comes out. Softcover for repeated readings, hardcover to survive moving (half my softcover books died in the last move).

[Aulirophile]

My library is mainly soft covers. I check-out new release hard-covers from the library then eventually buy the soft cover when it comes out if it was worth it. My fiction library that is, my non-fiction.. well, most of that stuff only comes in one cover type.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

I prefer Trade paperbacks for reading, especially since publishing companies are making bad habbits lately of not releasing paperbacks of big thick novels for very long times.

[Tred]

If I can order a hardcover version of a book from sci fi book club for $12 or $13 I'll do that instead of getting the softcover for $9 or $10 because that's just what I prefer. Most of my reading is done in a comfy seat/couch and I find hardcovers more suitable for that. Although I don't mind taking them to doctors appointments and what not. I'm not worried about them getting damaged. Pull the slipcover thing off and put it aside until I'm done.
I also like those 'oversized' paperbacks too. The ones that are about the size of a hardcover but are paperback stock.
In the end though it's mostly just personal preference.

[Cantatus]

Given the choice between the two, I'll always take the paperback over the hard cover purely for the price. If I can spend 1/3 the price on a book, I'm going to take it. But honestly, I probably prefer them anyways. I tend to read in my bed, and because I take my contacts out, I have to hold the book up. Much easier with a paperback. I've noticed with a hard cover that my hands will start hurting after extended reading sessions (especially where I support the cover in my palm.)

[AngryGerbil]

I do most of my reading in bed and prefer hardcovers. They tend to stay open on their own. =)

[Dom Devore]

I try to stay with paperbacks because I only have a few hard covers, and it looks odd on my shelf having a few hard covers, with all the rest being paper backs.

I like the quality that hardcovers provide, but I find it easier to read paperback.

[manslayer]

Generally I prefer Hardcover books, however when starting a new series or checking out a new author I'll often buy a paperback if I can't just borrow it from someone before commiting to hardcovers.

[Haldin Darconis]

Trade paperback > paperback > hardcover

I like the slightly larger size of trade paperbacks. Plus, such as with the Dark Tower series, they contain "bonus material" lacking in the normal paperbacks. (At least, I think the regular paperbacks didn't have the fancy artwork...).

Hardcovers are just too bulky and awkward for the most part. However, they're not back if the book is less than 300 pages and the hardcover isn't extra-large or anything.