My favourite book format

Hey Guys!

If you are reading this then you probably love books just like I do and if you do, then you are probably also aware of all the different types of book format. If you are not then what I mean by that is whether your books are hardbacks, paperbacks, e-books or audiobooks. In the book community there is a lot of controversy of which one is better and really there is no answer to that question because it is a matter of personal opinion, but I thought today I would tell you which book format I like best and why. Therefore, without further a do, I will begin…

Hardbacks

I am going to start with the hardbacks. I like hardbacks for quite a few reasons and I do think that they are a good format, but there are also a fair few downsides, but I will start with the positives. For me hardbacks are good because they are sturdy and don’t bend and crease as easily as paperbacks, which makes them a lot easier to keep in pristine condition. I also like them because they are good for taking photos of. I find that when I take photos of books I prefer to use hardbacks (as bases at least) because I find they look better and also tend to have some very fancy cover designs. On the flip side, I don’t like hardbacks because I am not that fond of dust jackets (especially while reading, which means I end up taking them off and then I don’t get the pretty cover) and I am also very aware that they are quite a bit heavier than paperbacks, which makes them a bit of a pain to lug around. Hardbacks are also notoriously more expensive.

Paperbacks

Second up is paperbacks and I have to say that these are my favourite because I really find it difficult to find many downsides to them. Paperbacks are averagely priced, have nice covers, aren’t too heavy and you still get to hold and smell the book. The only downside I can find to my wonderful paperbacks is that they do get damaged easier, but if you are careful and take the correct measures, then you can avoid them getting damaged.

E-books

I don’t often read e-books and that is purely because I prefer to have a physical copy of the book. I have no problem with reading an e-book and I have just returned form my trip to America where I have been solely relying on e-books in order to save space in my suitcase; however, when I am safely tucked away in my home in the UK I much prefer to buy the physical copy of the book. I have always preferred this and if I do read an e-book, then it always goes on a list for me to buy a paper copy later on. I am a collector of many things and books is one, so while I have nothing against e-books ,and they are certainly very useful, I much prefer paperbacks.

Audiobooks

The last book format is audiobooks. I personally do not like or get on with audiobooks at all, which I think it a real shame because being able to listen to a book while I am cleaning or walking would be amazing, but I find it very difficult to engage when someone is reading to me. If I am not reading myself then I am not doing anything other than listening and eventually I tend to tune out. It is incredibly unfortunate and I wish I could get on with audiobooks, but I just cannot follow a story that someone is reading to me.

All in all I have to say my favourite book format is definatly paperbacks, closely followed by hardbacks; E-books are not my favourite because they aren’t physical objects that I can touch and smell, but are very useful for holidays and audiobooks are, I’m afraid,  just not my thing.I do have a little motto for describing my feelings on book format:

“Hardbacks for aesthetics, paperbacks for reading and e-books for travelling.”

I don’t include audiobooks in my motto because of my lack of ability to get on with them, but maybe one day I will find a way to be able to listen to audiobooks. What is your favourite book format and why?

Goodbye for now!

Over and Out