Welcome Guest Blogger Susan Lyons
Do You Like Your Books Hard or Soft?
Just in case you think I’m talking porn here, I’m afraid my post isn’t quite that exciting! Yes, I do write sexy romance for Kensington Aphrodisia, but today it’s not content I’m talking about, it’s format: hard cover, trade paper, mass market paperback, or e-book.
Thanks to the ladies at Cigars for inviting me to visit for a second time. I look forward to chatting today, and the subject on my mind is buying books.
We all love reading books, right? I go through at least a dozen a month, in various formats. My own books are published in trade paper, the format that’s in between the “little” paperbacks and the big hard covers, and priced in between too. Typically, mine are $12.95.
That’s a lot of money to spend on one book (no matter how fabulous it is!). But that’s cheaper than the hard covers, where you can easily pay $25 to $30. Or, perhaps, not so “easily.” That’s a heck of a lot of money for most of us. We need to be absolutely sure the book will be a keeper – but not only that, we need shelf space.
I live in a downtown condo. Even if I could afford to buy a bunch of hard covers, I couldn’t keep them. But when a favorite author’s new book comes out first in hard cover, I’m not about to wait a year until it’s out in paper before I read it. So I get it from the library. I love libraries. But, because I’m a writer, I’m very aware that the author got royalties on that book only once, for the sale to the library, and I get to read her book for free. Yes, I have all good intentions of buying the book once it does come out in paper, but how often do I remember? So, in some kind of weird paradox, I do less to financially support some of my favorite authors than I do the ones whose work I don’t like quite so well – or the ones whose books comes out first in paper format.
And then there’s trade paper versus mass market. Trade format costs quite a bit more. Is the book that much better? Of course not – no more than the hard cover is any better. It’s the same darned book, just packaged differently. (The author, of course, has no say in the packaging.) The general feeling in “the biz” is that it’s way more prestigious to be published in hard cover, and that trade’s more prestigious than mass market. Well, OK, prestige is great, but what I want is readers buying my books! And loving them, telling their friends, and buying more. LOL.
Now, what about e-book format? My books come out in that format but I’ve never actually seen one. The truth is (don’t anyone throw rotten onions at me), I rarely read e-books. I don’t have one of the fancy readers like the Kindle, and I’m sure as heck not going to read off the computer screen after I’ve already spent 8-9 hours at it and now am looking to relax. Occasionally I’ll buy a book in e-format, then print it out. Then I get to sit in a chair, or lie in the bath or bed, shedding pages one by one until I’m surrounded by a pile of recycling. Nope, that’s not so great.
Call me old-fashioned, but I like the format of a – mmm, I can’t call them “real” books because of course e-books are real too – but the kind of books that have covers and pages made of paper. For one thing – look Ma, no hands – I can spread the book open and read two whole pages, hands-free, while I eat cereal, brush my teeth, smooth lotion on my legs. E-book readers are definitely hands-on, with small pages that fly by too quickly; I’m forever having to click to get a new page.
Well, enough about me! How about you? Does the format of a book influence your decision to buy it? How many books do you read in a month and of those, how many do you buy new, buy used, borrow from a friend, or borrow from the library? What format(s) do you buy in, and why? What do you love about the different formats, and what bugs you?
Before I forget – and back to me, me, me again for a moment – my new book, She’s on Top (a Romantic Times BOOKreviews Top Pick!), is hitting the shelves right now and I’m giving away an autographed copy to one of today’s Cigars bloggers (you have to be registered at Cigars to be eligible to win). Come visit my website at to view the trailer and read an excerpt and review quotes. You can check out my other books too, sign up for my newsletter, enter my monthly contest, and request give-aways.
And now, after that brief commercial message, let’s talk about book-buying and book-reading habits.
Books books books
Hi Susan,
Thanks for visiting - I absolutely love your books and could gush over them for quite a while. I have to say, I love hardcovers. I grew up reading them, and love them. Unfortunately, they're... dare I say ridiculously expensive? Recently I've been wanting to buy the books I read as a kid - but in hardcover. Imagine my shock when each one is as you said, $20-$30. There are some books that I KNOW I'll want, and I'll buy them in HC when they come out - luckily I'm a "bookstore member" -and there are often promotional sales, so the book will be up to 40% off. It just feels better to shell out $15, rather than $25. I do like Trade size books, even though they cost more. I don't know why, but they're larger and fun. Mass market paperbacks are great too... and then last on my hierarchy list, are ebooks. I'll read them, but I don't prefer them. If I can get a book in print, that's what I'm going to go for. Reading off a screen seems to strain my eyes, and I don't have an ebook reader. A tiny laptop, yes, but it's not the same.
As a student, I can't really afford books in my budget, so I go to libraries a lot. I'm a member (?) of 3, actually, one in my home town, one where I go to school [which is pretty close] - and one where I went for undergrad. The last one is fun, but I can't get books there [it's a few hours away] - but they have an ebook library, so I do read those sometimes. What's great is one of the libraries does interlibrary loans, so I've been able to get some obscure books from all over the nation (I decided to read all the books an author wrote, before I discovered she's been writing since the late 70s).
Student days
Oh yes, I remember those days, aliquis. I've always read fiction compulsively and for years and years most of my books had to come from the library and used book stores. It was pretty amazing when I got a relatively high-paying job and could actually afford to buy books. What a treat to walk into a book store and know I could buy, buy, buy! (Then, of course the job got so darned busy I barely had time to read, but that's another story.) Now I'm a "starving writer" (not exactly, but close!) but I've sure got used to the habit of buying. Hmm, getting used to a habit sounds pretty much like addiction so I guess I should fess up - my name is Susan and I'm addicted to books - and you know what, I don't want to be cured!
Thanks for gushing about my books, aliquis. I'm so glad you enjoy them. (Be sure to tell your friends. LOL.)
Oh, and happy Easter Monday, for those who celebrate it, and everyone else who's enjoying a day off. I hope everyone had a great weekend.
Oh yes
Hi Susan,
I can imagine how your job took all your time. I'm hearing horror stories about that now. I tried finding used books this past weekend while in Boston, but the one store I went to was extremely academic. Some day when I grow up, I'll be able to afford all the books I want. :P
I do love your books - I had "Hot in Here" on order, and *finally* got to pick it up yesterday, I rushed out before the bookstore closed [early for Easter] - and started reading it late that evening. I actually stayed up until 3:30 am reading it - and finished it. I only vaguely regret it b/c I'm really sick, and had an early class today - Trusts, which is not exactly my subject. (Yes I was being bad and visiting sites in class.) Now, I'm in professional responsibility so it doesn't matter O:).
Happy belated Easter to you too!
Late nights and trusts
Aliquis, you're so sweet! I'm so glad/sorry the book kept you up all night. Definitely am sorry you're sick, though.
And trusts... Oh yes, I remember trusts. I went to law school in Victoria and the year I took trusts the regular prof was on sabbatical. We got a fabulous guy from the University of BC in Vancouver (across a stretch of water - about a 3 hour trip each way for him if he took the ferry). Well, he wasn't going to make that trip 3 times a week, so we got a 3-hour class in trusts, one morning each week. OMG! Was that heavy! The only thing that made it bearable was that he was a fantastic lecturer (though even he couldn't make trusts exciting), and a really wonderful person.
paper and no paper
I am a committed no hardback buyer -- I have very few hardcovers, and the only reason I have them is because it was a series I was dying to get my hands on the next book, and caved. But I have fewer than a dozen total on my bookshelf. I can't see it, personally. The same story, so I'm paying for packing materials, basically.
I read primarily paperbacks and ebooks, and I would migrate completely to ebooks if two conditions were true: 1) all the books I want are offered in Mobi format, which they aren't. A lot are, but not all. 2) ebooks retailers did not charge hardcover prices for a new release. As much as I realize that the author deserves royalties on a new book, I cannot see the rationale for charging hardcover prices for an e-book, and I simply won't pay it. They don't charge the same for a new paperback, they shouldn't charges the same for a new ebook.
I do enjoy ebooks because of the flexibility, getting the book I want right away, even at 11pm on a Sunday, and being able to keep lots of books without them being dust collectors. I sort of hate buying paperbacks. I feel like I am contributing to the watering down of an author's royalties, because even though I bought the book, if I don't want to keep it, which is true of 80% of them, I end up giving it away and adding to the chain of free book exchanges.
So, I truly wish all books were in ebooks at fair prices, then I would be a very happy camper. Also, in my understanding, you can't print out ebooks? Not the ones I've downloaded anyway -- maybe that was just with certain books/publishers? Most have some pretty intense protection on sharing, which I think is good.
Congrats on the new book, Susan, and lovely to have you here again! :)
Sam
Sharing books
Thanks, Sam - and you make some interesting points.
Re printing ebooks: Because I don't have an ebook reader, I always download in PDF format, so of course it's easy to print out. It would also be easy as pie to pass on the PDF to someone else - but I've never done that.
Come to think about it, that's kind of strange considering that, when it comes to books in traditional formats, I definitely do contribute to the book exchange system - not by going to a used book store or book exchange but by sharing with my friends. We have an informal arrangement where we each buy the books we want to keep, and share ones we think our friends might like. In theory it cuts into author royalties and book sale numbers, but the reality is, the books we share around aren't likely to be ones we'd buy ourselves. (Partly because we just can't afford to buy that many books!) Of course what does happen is that a borrowed book leads to the discovery of a wonderful author, and then the author goes on another person's "must buy" list.
I figure used book stores, book exchange between friends, and libraries are all an important part of the business. They meet the needs of those of us who can't afford to buy all the books we'd like to read, and they let readers take chances with new authors (books they wouldn't lay down money for) and often discover that they love that author's writing.
Ebook prices and royalties are another interesting topic. I think the industry is still trying to figure out how to handle ebooks, so they're priced to be attractive and so authors get fairly compensated.
I agree
That sharing among friends, etc is not so much of a problem and even UBS -- in fact, there are stats that prove that having used book stores helps in the sales of new books because people are more likely to buy new books if they know they have a place to take them afterward. *G* Also, yes, you can find new authors that way. I found Charlaine Harris through a book my MIL shared with me, and have bought every single one of her books since.
However, I am less a fan of sharing these days when people are selling bulk at ebay, or on the massive swap sites which really can cut into not just royalties, but sales numbers that can make or break an author. I'm also not sure people always buy after they borrow. I think readers often don't realize if an author's sales numbers are too low, they may not see any more books from that author, not these days, anyway. The world used to be forgiving, but not so much anymore...
It's true they are experimenting with ebook prices etc, but to my mind, an ebook should never be priced exactly the same as a hardcover release. I really think that's a discouraging factor for buying ebooks. On the PDF, yes... A lot of the ebook retailers don't offer that, though I know Harlequin does. I don't know about others. IMO, I think they shouldn't offer printable format (but I'm a hardass on the topic, LOL).
Sam
I like trade paper sized
I like trade paper sized books and mass market sized over hardcover, which are too heavy and take up too much room, but I will buy them if I absolutely HAVE to have the latest offering.
I like to read while I exercise, so a hardcover isn't convenient for that! And mm sized can fit in my purse to take with my wherever I go, so I love that size.
I don't read many ebooks either, because I don't have a reader (and despite being e-published, shame on me...I buy them, I just don't read them) but I'm thinking of getting the Kindle which would change that.
M
Paperback!
Welcome Susan!
My favorites are the smaller paperback size. Not that that stops me from reading anything and everything, though. :-) I don't purchase hardcovers except for gifts when I know the person prefers them. And I like the actual feel of holding a book, so e-books just aren't the same.
As for where I get them? The library and paperbackswap.com are my top two places! I will buy new if I have a store coupon and it is something I really, really want. How many do I read in a month? Oy....lots! LOL - a few good sized ones and then lots of smaller ones. Some months I read way more than others. So, average maybe 8-10 books per month? LOL - now I'm going to start keeping track. :-)
Buying habits
Sam, you're so right when you say "I think readers often don't realize if an author's sales numbers are too low, they may not see any more books from that author". Even within Romance Writers of America chapters, there's an amazing lack of knowledge about how the industry works. Yes, we have to make the numbers in terms of sales if our publisher (or any publisher) is ever going to buy another book from us.
Have you noticed, the longer you're "in the biz", the more books you buy? You get to know more authors - at conferences, on loops, etc. - and of course you want them to succeed in the biz, just as much as you want to succeed yourself. So of course you buy their books. My own TBR shelf is...wait, I have to go count... exactly 60 books on it. Of those, one's a library book, one's a loaner from a friend, a couple came via local Chapter informal book exchanges, a couple were freebies at conferences, and the rest (50 or more) are books I bought myself in paper format, fully hoping to read and enjoy. (And I have more on order!) OMG, I need a month's holiday, to just sit and read!
Cathy W, it sounds like you’re an addict like me. I’m curious – do you ever ask for books, or store gift certificates, for birthdays, etc.? I think book store gift certificates make a wonderful present for a reader. (Hint, hint!)
Authorm, you’re right that different formats work for different times. If you’re going to read on a treadmill (yes, I do that!), a lightweight book is good, and the same if you’re going to toss one in your bag and carry around with you. For travel, too. When I go on holiday I take a bunch of books that I figure I’ll enjoy but not necessarily want to keep, and I shed them along my route, always hoping a flight attendant, other guest at the hotel, waitress etc. will pick them up and discover a new author.
Yes
Have you noticed, the longer you're "in the biz", the more books you buy?
Yes! It's amazing, isn't it? And since starting this blog, even more, because I end up buying almost all of our guest authors, LOL -- I have found so many books here. When I started the ebooks the TBR exploded -- that's the easy way to load up on books, LOL. My Axim runneth over.
Great idea on the gift certificates and gift cards! Yes. I think we all do some borrowing, but we have to buy, too. I always try to make sure my purchases outnumber the free reads I get from friends or family. And then I always end up buying anyway... I gave a Nalini Singh to MIL, and she ended up buying the series, and she gave me Charlaine Harris, and I ended up buying the series, LOL.
I never use exchange sites, like paperbackswap. I don't want to make anyone feel bad, but those sites really do exist to the detriment of authors. If it were just out of print books, that would be one thing, but when a new book shows up there the first week it's on the shelf well... it's just not a good thing for a writer trying to make a living at this.
Sam
Giving away a book!
I just posted the last message about my huge TBR pile, when someone buzzed from the front door of my building. The post office, delivering ... ta da ... a package of books from ChaptersIndigo (the big chain store in Canada). I thought, yikes, more for my TBR shelf!
But when I ripped the box open, what did I see? Eight copies of my very own book, "She's on Top." I'd received only a small number of author copies so far (these were early; usually they come around the time the book releases in the stores, which should be sometime this week) and I'd gone through most of those. But now I have more books (yes, I always buy some of my own because I always need more than my allotment of author copies). And that means...
I can give one away today!
So, if you post here today, I'll put all the names in a hat at the end of the day and draw one, and you'll get yourself an autographed copy of "She's on Top." (Which you can loan to all your friends, provided you promise to tell them it's absolutely fabulous! LOL.)
Woohoo!
Susan,
That is excellent news! More love to share! [:P I'd just like to point out ... either you or someone else already mentioned a giveaway at the beginning of the post] Haha.
Author royalties and book trading sites is a really difficult topic. Going back to the author quest I'm on... I discovered her last year, did the harlequin book challenge, and thought "well, if I read all of this author's back list, it'll help me meet my book goal" - not that I didn't think I'd have a problem reading 100 books, but 100 new ones? Little did I know, she had a back list of like 120 books. I've been able to get most from libraries, I've bought all her new ones and some of her re-release/anthologies... but some are just lost causes. I've tried asking if more of her books would be re-released but didn't really get an answer. I like ebooks for the fact that - you can basically get them forever. But I have noticed that a lot of author's ebooks have been stolen. (But I can't help it - I love print books. I love the satisfaction of turning pages and more. And certain books are collectibles - so I have those in hardcover. In other similar discussions people have mentioned print books are nice for being able to have autographed copies.)
I'm not sure how the e-library system does it, but you can get an ebook for 2 weeks, and after exactly 336 hours, the book won't open anymore. Sad to see there are so many issues regarding books - the paper, size, space, royalties (or lack thereof), e-theft...
OK, I have no memory!
Oops! Yes, I did already promise to give one away, didn't I? And I had a book allocated for that. So now, I'll give away two .
Wow!
You're so generous, Susan :D
I'm too lazy to re-comment... so as to your post above- 3 hours of trusts? I might cry. [Haha, although the 3 hr commute for the prof doesn't sound fun either.]
I joke about having the attention span of a goldfish - but really, I do. My classes are an hour and 35 minutes, technically [all my profs seem to go over] - and by the end, I am *itching* to get out. I'd say I like trusts, but it's all over my head. Wills was actually fun though. I tell people I think probate is interesting, and a) most of them don't know what that is, and b) once I tell them they give me the "you're insane" look. Which is rich coming from engineers and bio-majors who work with lab rats :P.
How do I read
Well, I admit my budget runs to mass paperbacks. And that's where I spend most of my money. I like the size (or I'm used to the size), they're less expensive and they fit so well in my purse.
There is only one author where I will splurge to buy her HCs when they're first released. And part of that is now habit.
There was another author (coughSherrilynKenyoncough) that switched mid series to HC. What to do, what to do? I bought the first HC and it really wasn't worth it to me. Yes, the book was great, blah blah blah but it was no better than the PBs that had come before. Luckily, my BFF loves Kenyon, can afford the HCs and lends them to me when she's read. I then buy the PB to complete my own library.
There are some authors I only read from the library. While I enjoy their work, they're just not keepers for me. In most cases, its someone that has a couple of series out. I might buy one but read the other through the library.
I am a member of one of those trading sites. It does cause me some angst because I want to be supportive of authors.
I do feel since I've bought the book I'm trading, then I am supporting authors. I do use it for my monthly book club since it might be an author I've never read before (and may not again).
But I feel torn about it. Can you tell?
No ebooks for me. I'm on the computer a good 10 hours a day. I used to read ebooks on my PDA but the screen is too small and it wasn't easy to scroll to turn pages. I'd always end up flipping 2 or 20 pages instead of just one. So then I'd spend 10 minutes scrolling back again.
I don't have a Kindle because they're awkward looking. If I'm going to hold something that big, I'll buy a book. Except some of the books I want never become available in print and that's a shame.
I am lucky that I get gift cards to a big bookselling chain for my birthday and Chanukkah every year. I also belong to a "club" where I earn points for reading emails. Earn enough points and they can be exchanged for gift cards. Most of mine go to the same book chain.
I feel I've gotten off track so I hope I answered the original question. LOL
And Susan, I love your books, splurge on them when I can. I was lucky enough to see you at the Silverdale (WA) Barnes & Noble one time. I couldn't stay to meet you but it was great just to hear you.
ani
Ambivalence
Ani said she's ambivalent about her book-buying (or not buying) habits and I think that's true of so many of us. We all want to support writers, and the whole biz that gets great books into our hands, but books are expensive and most of us just don't have the space to keep all the books we buy - nor do we necessarily want to (some books are great for one read; others are keepers - and we each have different taste when it comes to which is which).
This makes me think about other things we spend money on. Do you buy fancy coffees (or even plain ones, or tea)? You spent a couple of bucks and up for one cup - and it's gone in ten minutes. Whereas a book gives you hours of pleasure, and it's still around after you've finished it.
No, I'm not saying we should give up buying coffee, but it does kind of make me think about the relative value we place on things. Coffee, movies, muffins, shoes... Some are consumed and gone, some are consumed but memorable (like a movie), some hang around to give us lots of ongoing pleasure (like shoes).
oh no, not coffee! LOL
God, without coffee, no writing would get done *G*
I don't buy Starbucks or that very often though -- maybe 3-4 times a month, and then it's iced tea because I can't tolerate dairy. I do buy a good quality roasted bean for our home coffee though. I do buy fair trade.
And meat -- I spend a lot more on what meat we do eat -- a lot more -- because if I am going to consume meat, I need to know it came from an organic farm where animals were well treated and humanely processed. So, we eat less of it, but what we do have, we enjoy. For me it's a social responsibility issue. We're not made of money, believe me, but I just do what feels right. People say it's a luxury, it's not. To me it's a necessity.
I'm not much of a shoe collector. :) I do like to buy things that support small business, and you know, I think in the end, if it meant reading fewer books, I would have to do that. I honestly think the trade sites aren't that far away from pirating -- they are only protected by the letter of the law that says an individual can do whatever they want with their own property, ie, a book, but it's an abuse of the letter of the law, IMO.
It's very much the same thing as the musicians losing money on free downloads, or the TV writers not getting internet royalties, etc. And again, I don't want to make anyone feel bad, but I do want to make people think. It doesn't really hurt the status of a big writer like Nora or Kenyon, etc, but it can be the difference between the next contract or no contract for a beginning writer or your average Harlequin author.
So for me, I try to make most of my buying decisions in ways that have some good benefit, I guess. It's an interesting way of looking at it, Susan.
Sam
And not tea either!! LOL
Not every time I go to B&N but often enough I will splurge on a cuppa. And, you're right, its gone in moments (sometimes in less time than it takes me to browse the new releases) but it is a splurge for me. I don't have daily. I might only have once a month.
And its one of those things I'll only buy if I have a gift card. I won't spend "real" money on it. LOL
And I forgot to add about the book trading sites. Like I said, I use it for my monthly online book club. BUT if I like the author, I will make a point of going to the store and then buying something else from that same author.
Case in point, one of the architects in my office was working with author Susan Wiggs. The architect knows I "read that sort of thing" so had told me about it. When she was going out to meet with Susan one day, I begged to go along and carry her pencils.
When she came in the next day, Susan had kindly inscribed book 2 of her Lakeshore Chronicles to me! I read it and really enjoyed it.
So, the next month was my turn to pick the book. I picked the first in the series and I, and almost everyone else in book club, went out to buy it. Well, I'd say of the 10 people in our club, 8 of them went out to buy the next 3 in the series also! Susan did put out an anthology that's been OOP (just got reprinted) that included another Lakeshore story. I was able to find on Amazon (used) and bought and it is wending its way around the country for everyone in my group to read. I don't feel as badly about that because as a whole we bought a lot of her books all at once.
So for one free book and one book on loan, she sold about 25 books (if my math is right).
And I do the same with books I get from the trading site. If I find an author I like, I'm going to go buy what I can, borrow from the library and/or trade for what I can't.
ani
I hope you are the standard, ani!
If that's how it works generally, then that would be great. *G* I don't know that you aren't the exception, tho.
I have to admit, as an author, I HATE thinking about numbers. I try not to, but that's how our value is assessed.
I also know you buy a lot of books, and do a lot to promote authors. :)
Sam
We've had this conversation elsewhere
I know the people I'm friends with, and that are in my book group, do the same thing, Sam.
Yes, there are a few books I've probably gotten that I should have paid for. But it's not the norm for me.
Ever since I read that blog post (somewhere!) about the woman who couldn't understand why her favourite author wasn't writing anymore, "But I get all his stuff from the UBS!" it really hit home.
Books are, and always have been, my one luxury (okay, and Dove Promises too). I love going to the bookstore and finding just the "right" book.
And I'm happy to report for every book I've won here, I've always purchased one by the same author as payback. (And in some cases more than one. You all are addictive!)
Because I want you all to keep doing what you're doing.
I rarely go to the movies, I don't watch much TV. Books are my escape. And if I don't buy them, you won't write them, and then where will I be?!?
Susan commented "Cathy W,
Susan commented "Cathy W, it sounds like you’re an addict like me. I’m curious – do you ever ask for books, or store gift certificates, for birthdays, etc.? I think book store gift certificates make a wonderful present for a reader. (Hint, hint!)"
Yes absolutely!!!! I love heading to the bookstore to pour over new books from my favorite authors and to see what's new on the horizon. Not only do I get the joy of a new book, but I get the pleasure of spending time choosing.
She also said "Ani said she's ambivalent about her book-buying (or not buying) habits and I think that's true of so many of us. We all want to support writers, and the whole biz that gets great books into our hands, but books are expensive and most of us just don't have the space to keep all the books we buy - nor do we necessarily want to (some books are great for one read; others are keepers - and we each have different taste when it comes to which is which). "
Exactly! And to be honest, since joining the booktrading site, I have purchased more books than I ever did before. I have so much exposure to different authors - things I wouldn't have ever noticed before. And like Ani said, when I find a new author from a trading site, I usually end up purchasing at least one of his/her books, and recommending the author to friends and my bookgroup. So, in my case, it really has helped at least a number of authors. Heck, if it wasn't for the trading site (and Ani!) I wouldn't have known about LIAEC!
Silverdale
Ani, I forgot to say, I'm sorry you couldn't stay and say hi at Silverdale. I love meeting readers!
All my fault
I had misread the flyer. I had my timing off by an hour. I had to scoot to the dentist.
Not as much fun, trust me!
Books
I am a paper back person. Just about all of my books are paper back. They are easy to carry with you. You can even put them in your purse to take to the doctors office. I like hard bound books but they are harder to store.
I am not much on e-books, I don't like setting at the computer to reading a book. So I guess I am old fashion to and don't like change.
Old fashioned versus new
I've heard that trade paper appeals to younger women just because they think it's something new and classy - and not like the paperbacks their moms read.
I guess if they're willing to pay the extra price, and lug the bigger books around (hey, that's why they all have those gigantic tote bags!), then good for them.
The thing is, though, that a book that comes out in trade paper generally has a smaller print run and sells fewer copies than a book that comes in mass market (small paperback) format. The authors get slightly higher royalties on trade paper - but still end up making much less money.
Not that the authors generally have the slightest bit of say re the format they're publishsed in [g].
I rarely buy a hard cover.
I rarely buy a hard cover. Translate that to never, unless it's Cherry Adair. I adore Cherry and she's done so much for me, so I make an exception for her :) But generally, hard covers are so uncomfortable even to read/hold. It's like lugging around his huge thing to read. LOL.
Other than that...I prefer mass market, but will buy trade if (again) it's from a friend or I'm just dying to read it.
What I really want is a reader. I want a Kindle. So expensive though. Some day. And my debate about 'but you can't take it in the bathtub', someone said to put it in a ziplock bag. That made me go hmmm. And I really think I may invest in one some day! I like the flexibility of ebooks. Buying them. Prices. And such.
--
Shelli Stevens, GSRW President
http://www.shellistevens.com
A little bit of laughter & a whole lot of Spice
Dangerous Grounds, available at Samhain Publishing
Never buy hard cover?
Well, Shelli, I'll just have to hope I'm never pub'd in hard cover!
As for baths, okay, now I'm envisioning the scented bubbles, the candles, the glass of wine on the edge of the tub -- and a ziplocked Kindle. Gee, the company should do ads like that!
One of my favorite bookmarks of all time was a Harlequin one (the company's, not an individual author's). It was a subway car, faded out to background, and in the middle was a woman in a bath, hair piled up, reading a book. In other words, if you're reading romance, the real world fades away and you're in this lovely relaxing place.
book buying
I buy more mass-market paperbacks than other formats because of the price. I don't care for hard cover books because they are difficult for me to hold.
This is where I confess to cracking spines
Ouch! I know, some people hate that. I'm ruining a beautiful book. In my defense, I will say I don't turn down corners (I always use bookmarks) or spill coffee on books, but I do crack spines.
It's not just hard covers I find hard to hold, Crystal. Paperbacks are often printed with the type so close to the center that it's hard to read. And the books keep wanting to close unless I crack the spine.
D'you notice that "comfortable" reading is a repeating theme here? We all want a book that's easy to hold, wherever we may be. And easy to read, with pages that are easy to turn. And easy to carry around with us.
Book killer!
Haha - sorry Susan, but that's what your "subject" made me think. I have to say, a reason I like hardcovers more than paperbacks, is that well, I'm finicky. Probably borderline OCD... I like my books to look the exact same as they did from when I carried them out of the bookstore. For a while I didn't like to order books online because even with some packaging, books would come dented, or with "chips" on the covers.
Therefore, I don't like the lines a paperback gets when you read it. I try to read books opening them at only a 50 degree angle or so [wow - how geeky do I sound?] - but after 8+ reads, the book shows wear. Hardcovers can take a lot more, and you can open them fully.
I admit I have killed a few purses by stuffing too much in them, and then tucking in an extra paperback for long lines, etc. A category romance is a great size for doing that.
Geeky?
Aliquis, re "I try to read books opening them at only a 50 degree angle or so [wow - how geeky do I sound?]"
I'm not sure "geeky" is the word. I'm not sure there is a word!
Wow, that sounds like a really hard way to read a book. The print's always on an angle.
Oh well, just so long as you're reading and buying!
LOL
It's not so bad, really, it just is a matter of tilting the book from one side for one page, then the other. Aside from all the royalty issues, that's why I like to buy my books new- because you can't really trust people's condition listens. "Like new" to someone else often isn't "like new" to me.
I generally read a book a day - though recently it's been a book every 2 or so days - so I have to go to libraries. As a student my "income" is barely above negative, lol. Books are my biggest expenditure, however. I have little control when it comes to titles I really want.
book buying
I rarely buy hardbacks. I think the only books I've bought in HC were from authors at book signings. All the others were gifts. But, hardbacks are hard to carry around and too expensive for me.
Regular mass-market books are my fav. Although, recently I've been listening a lot to books on my mp3 player. eAudio is great. I drive a lot. The only problem I have is most of the historicals I read are not available. But because of that, I've listened to several contemporary novels and my other favorite, paranormal.
reading while driving
Tina, that's a real benefit to driving a lot. I wish all books came in audio format.
I am a bookaholic
so I will take my books in any form I can get them. Preferably in paperback so it is easier to hold to read it, hardbacks get heavy after a while :D
Oh and of course a hardback or e-book can't be held in one hand whilst I eat or drink (or watch TV) whilst reading an exciting story.
reading one-handed
Yes, Ilona, me too. I definitely want to be able to read one-handed. There's always that cup of coffee or tea, or glass of wine near at hand. Nicely placed so I can reach out and pick it up without even having to look up from my book.
I buy an average of 10 new
I buy an average of 10 new books from Amazon and one to two hard backs from Zooba (only $9.95!) Also a big ebook fan, and probably read over 20 a month.
Enjoyed the video and excerpt for She's On Top, and would love to read it.
big buyer
Hurray, cathy! That's what we writers like to hear. It's great that you buy books in all formats.
I'm glad you liked the She's on Top teasers. I hope you get the book, one way or another [g].
I prefer paperbacks over
I prefer paperbacks over hardcover, price aside. They're easier to store, and I can stack many of them on my bedside table! I do get freebies at the annual RWA conference (although I try to keep them to a minimum, simply because they need to be shipped home), but rarely take advantage of a book swap or used book stores. There's something about a brand-spanking-new book that I can't resist! I just checked my account over at Amazon, and I've purchased 47 books since Nov 07, and can't tell you how many others I've picked up at Barnes & Noble or the supermarket. Too many to count, and I haven't come close to reading them all. I feel strongly about supporting other writers, and within my local RWA chapter, make a point of purchasing all debut novels. As a result, I've discovered some great writers and have gone on to buy second and third books, as well. I don't typically share books or recycle them; I am a hoarder. I dream of someday having an office like Hannah Howell's...she has a spiral staircase leading up to her office, and as you make your way up the stairs, you are surrounded by bookshelves filled with paperbacks. She has hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of them, all shelved alphabetically by author. It's inspiring.
supporting our colleagues
Karen, that's so great that you buy the debut books from your Chapter members. I'm sure they appreciate that immensely. I always figure, if the kind of book I write isn't your cup of tea, that's fine - but it's nice if you'd give one of them a chance.
Because my books are branded "erotic romance" a lot of people think they're soft porn and don't have all the great things that we love about romance: character development, emotion, etc. But once they give them a try, they find out differently.
If someone who's read one of my books says she doesn't care for the level of sexual explicitness (or my writing style or anything else), then of course she shouldn't read any more and I'm not one bit offended. But I sure hate being "written off" by someone who hasn't even given me a try!
Hi Susan, I read an average
Hi Susan,
I read an average of a book a day. I have to go with mass market paperbacks. Hard covers amd trade paperbacks are just too expensive when you ive on a fixed income(I'm retired).
I do read an occasional ebook, but like you I don't have an ebook reader and I have to print them out to read them. Sitting at the computer to read them is just too uncomfortable.
a book a day!
Estella, that's wonderful. It's readers like you who keep us all in business! Enjoy your retirement, surrounded by all those terrific books.
Paperback, baby!
I love mm paperbacks. Partially because the price of hardcover makes me wince (although if I want the book, such as Harry Potter, as soon as its out, I don't think twice about paying it) but mostly because I only have so much bookshelf space and MM takes up less room LOL.
I'll admit it, I don't read e format. Like others have said already, I spend so many hours on the computer as it is. And I love the ritual of reading paper. The smell, the feel of the pages, the crackle of the spine as I open the book -they all add to the relaxation fun of reading LOL.
smelling books
I'm with you, Tawny. Do you know, there are people who think we're crazy for smelling books? Nah, it's them who are nuts!
Smelling books
I admit it, I've had to stop doing this in public *snicker*
I love ebooks
I have no impulse control when it comes to books - so if I see one I want I'll buy it in any format. For the lat six years, though, I've been buying mostly ebooks. I have even repurchased many favorites in ebook format so I could always have a copy easily accessible. The paperback and hardbacks I buy now are usually ones I can't get in ebook or I've bought at book signings.
I love being able to carry hundreds of books around with me and when I go to buy a book to have easy reference as to whether or not the book is already in my TBR pile. I know some have commented on the difficulty of flipping screens so often do to their reading speed, I personally find it much easier to flip through the pages on the ebook than to constantly turn the book pages and my hands and arms are less tired. I also love having a backlit book I can read anywhere and the ability to change the font size to suit me. I have even read while in the tub once or twice (without the ziplock bag).
I agree with Sam's comment about the pricing of ebooks though. Some of the ebook prices are ridiculous. If you look at today's new releases at fictionwise and compare prices with Amazon's, newly available hardback or trade, the physical books are cheaper when you add the discounts. For example the hardcover the Soul Thief by Charles Baxter is $20 but discounts on Amazon take it to $13.60. The ebook version is $17.95 ($15.26 discounted). Do they expect me to believe there is more labor, materials, shipping, and storage fees for an ebook than a hardcover? I would love to know who is making all that extra profit because I'm sure it is not the authors. I understand that they don't want to undermine hardback sales by offering a much lower priced ebook at the same time but I can't believe I'm the only one who ends up not buying the book in any format and moves on to purchase someone else's work at better price. I certainly would never pick up a new author at such a price tag.
in defense of ebooks
rendalay, you make some excellent points. I do love the idea of being able to carry a bunch of books around with me.
No, wait a minute, maybe I don't. LOL - I'd feel even more overwhelmed by my TBR pile, because I'd never be able to get away from it! Seriously, though, at least for going on holidays it would be wonderful.
I agree with you and Sam about ebook pricing. It's ridiculous if they aren't deeply discounted. And you're right, it's not usually the authors who are making the extra profit. An ebook publisher like Ellora's Cave usually gives pretty decent royalties on e-pubs, but when other print publishers bring out an ebook edition of a book they first (or simultaneously) released in print, typically the author royalties aren't terribly high. I think the publishers are getting better about this, though...
Hi!!
Hi, Susan!
I'm a book addict--there, I admit it! I tend to shy away from hard covers--too expensive, too big (not as easy to hold in my hands, plus take up more room in my house). I do love trade paperbacks--I just like the size for some reason. And mass-market paperbacks are great too--just the right size for reading and storing! As for e-books, I have a few and have gotten more in the past year than ever before, but I tend to prefer a physical book in my hand most of the time. I don't have a reader, so if I read e-books, it's in front of the computer, or when it's allowed, printed out on the printer (which defeats part of the point of e-books--saving trees and all that).
I read between 10 and 30 books a month (depending on how busy the rest of life is)--most of those are physical books. Probably a third or so are from the library, and the rest are bought new, borrowed, or bought used.
Going to go see your trailer now! Woohoo!
hey, fedora
Nice to see you again, and know you share my addiction.