Today I learnt, while responding to a poll on Goodreads, the difference between a ‘hardcover’ book and a ‘paperback’ one. I always just assumed the difference was utterly obvious in the self explanatory titles, but I learnt that theres more to it than just the thickness of the cover page.

The other most obvious difference one would notice is the difference in price. Of course the hardcover version would cost more since they’re usually considerably thicker and have a hard bound cardboard-like cover page, but is there more to it than just the packaging?

The answer is yes, the extra you pay is mostly for quality and durability. Hardcover books have their spine sewn together so it doesn’t come apart or get wrinkly over time like a paperback would. Its much harder to damage a hardcover and it is apparently printed on acid-free paper which is much more long lasting than paperbacks which are printed on regular paper I suppose.

So does it really matter what kind of book you buy?

Here’s how I plan to decide the next time I buy books. If it’s a book that I intend to add to my collection for good or if it’s a really fat book, I would pick the hardcover one. For all other books, I would buy paperback simply because I usually read in bed or while eating and I like having a more flexible and more compact book with me. Also, with titles that are a one-time read I end up selling or donating depending on the resale value of the book. Keep in mind that paperbacks cost cheaper and so have a much lesser value when you sell and sometimes it is so paltry that you might as well give it away for free.

Do you have a preference? Let me know in your comments.