How to Choose Paperback and Hardcover

Choose books with covers that match the ones you already have. Many book lovers like their books to be the same height – that makes the bookshelf look better, don’t you think? Paper books always seem taller, so to make the bookshelf look more even, stick with hardcover books. ^[6]

• Paperback versions will sometimes be released the same height as the hardcover, so check the measurements of the bookshelf and other books before purchasing a paperback. If they were the same height, you could have saved a few dollars while keeping the shelves even.

Choose a book version that matches other books in the same series. If the books you buy belong to a series of stories, keep them consistent. If the entire series is hardcover, please continue to buy hardcover; if the whole series is paperback, keep buying paperback. Aesthetically minded book lovers would agree that this would make the bookshelf more beautiful.

Buy a paperback if you want to carry it lighter. Thanks to their smaller size and lighter weight, paperback books are easy to hold with one hand. You can read them while lounging in bed or on the couch, or holding onto the rails or handles on the subway. ^[7]

Choose hardcover books if you want them to lie flat on the table while reading. Paperback books have a problem, which is that if you don’t want to break the spine, causing a long wrinkle on the cover, it will be difficult to read if you just open the book slightly to preserve the spine. For hardcover books, this is no longer a problem. You can comfortably unfold the book while reading on a table or resting it on your lap. ^[8]

Choose whichever version has a better cover. Hardcover books are famous for their beautiful cover designs. Even if the hardcover books are not “special edition”, they still have beautiful paintings on the paper cover, or on the inner cover, and even in the inner pages that are not available in the paperback version. . On the other hand, sometimes paperbacks have a design that appeals to you more. If aesthetics are your primary concern, choose whichever version looks more pleasing to the eye. ^[9]

Self-publish a hardcover book to appeal to critics and discerning readers. Self-publishing your book in hardcover format can be expensive, but many book lovers will love the quality. It also helps to get your book seen more by newsrooms and book reviewers, who consider hardcover books to be more “literary” products – it sounds unfair but it is. ^[10]

Publish commercial paperback books with good quality and low price. Commercial paperbacks are still quite heavy, about the same size as hardcovers, and printed on good paper. They have technical advantages as well as cost savings over the hardcover. The book still looks good, so it will appeal to readers who are on a tight budget while still taking care of the looks. ^[11]

Save by printing the mass-market paperback version. A mass-market edition book is arguably the cheapest thing to buy and produce. They may not look as good as a commercial hardcover or paperback, but publishers still consider printing this edition to introduce new authors and help them become more known. ^[12]

Consider publishing online. This is a medium that is growing at a rapid pace, helping you to be more known to your online audience while saving on printing costs. You may not have the satisfaction of holding a book in your hand, but online publishing is the foundation that will enable you to print books later. You are on the right track!

Choose audiobooks if you’re busy multitasking. Listen to an audiobook while driving or doing housework, or when you close your eyes and want the book to lull you to sleep. While it doesn’t feel like holding a book in your hand and gliding through the pages, audiobooks are a great choice for busy readers who want to be immersed in the world of books whenever possible. .

Try reading an e-book because of the many benefits it brings. The e-reader is suitable for book lovers while traveling. You can store an entire library in a tablet that fits in the palm of your hand, and buy more books while you’re on the go. They are also easy to use for low-vision users because the font size and line spacing can be adjusted. E-books are often cheaper than paperback or hardcover, although many readers still love the feeling of touching a book and turning the pages. ^[13]

• Buy an e-reader that doesn’t light up to avoid eye strain or eye strain.