Thursday 21 February 2008

Booking through Thursday

All other things (like price and storage space) being equal, given a choice in a perfect world, would you rather have paperbacks in your library? Or hardcovers? And why?

My father used to throw paperbacks away ... and I rescued them. I couldn't bear the idea of books being thrown away, but he came from a generation that thought paperbacks were rough replicas of their lofty hardback originals and didn't deserve a shelf life (on his shelves).

But I love paperbacks. They're lighter in your pocket (or bag, or suitcase) and they cost less to send to a friend. Often they have better covers so they look prettier on your shelves and their spines bend more easily ... paperbacks every time for me. (Even though it is lovely, as a writer, to see your work in hardback it really isn't necessary, or particularly green.) I think there'll be fewer and fewer hardbacks as paperback publishing becomes more and more sophisticated. There are some beautiful trade papebacks out there in the world, with front and back flaps and wonderful production values. Long live the paperback.

9 comments:

Mikko said...

Trade paperbacks indeed! I so agree. What comes to sending, that's an excellent point as well, I use BookMooch which means I'm constantly sending books in mail and the difference between a paperback and a hardcover is huge in international mail.

Marianne Arkins said...

ACK! He threw them away??? ACK!

I'm simply horrified...

Happy BTT!

StuckInABook said...

I cheated and went for a compromise... but when it comes to modern books, it's paperback all the way.

Shocking that people used to find paperbacks so disposable - in much the same way they often threw away dustjackets as soon as they bought the book. Such a shame.

Angela Young said...

I know ... the throwing-away business is hideous. But he loved books ... he just didn't think paperbacks were books, I suppose! (Unlike me.)

Anonymous said...

I was shocked to my core the other week when I saw someone throw away a paperback on the train. If it had looked readable I would have rescued it...

Anonymous said...

I'm not certain I could THROW a book away. I can pass it on to a charity shop in the hope that it will find someone else to cherish it, but throwing it away is another matter entirely.

Anonymous said...

Goodness, my heart is still thumping after reading "he threw them away"! :) I agree that trade paperbacks have progressed leaps and bounds. There are some truly beautiful trade paperback covers.

BTW, this is my first visit to your blog and I LOVE your blog title and descriptions. Happy writing, avoiding writing, and reading! :)

Angela Young said...

Charity shops, much the best idea for no-longer-wanted paperbacks, I agree. And it is heartwarming that you all find my father's throwing away of paperbacks as shocking as I did. I've often wondered if I over-reacted ... you all reassure me, thank you.

Becca: thank you for what you said about this blog. Just about to hop over to yours ... .

Anonymous said...

No how matter how little I like a book, I could still never throw it out. I can barely even give them away. My mother always got so angry that I would never get rid of any of them. Then again, this comes from a girl who can't damage books in any way without serious feelings of guilt. It was terrible in college when I needed to take notes and the best way was to just highlight the book...