Real readers don’t buy hardback books
Just read on the BBC’s website that 17,662 hardback copies of The Cuckoo’s Calling sold were sold between 14 and 20 July since JK Rowling was revealed as the author. The week before only 43 copies were sold which is a huge hike, but I still think 43 sales was pretty respectable.
Who buys hardbacks?
They are expensive, heavy to carry around and – crucially – don’t fit into most handbags. Real readers (as opposed to libraries and other places that need durable hardback copies) wait for the paperback and ebook versions. Don’t they?
Do you ever buy a hardback?
photo credit: mrbill via photopin cc
9 comments on “Real readers don’t buy hardback books”
Leave a reply to Laura Wilkinson Cancel reply
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Nope! For all the reasons you give, Bridget. Good post.
Thanks! Back in the day, newspaper book editors would turn up their nose at reviewing a paperback, but I can’t believe that’s still true.
I don’t usually buy hardbacks, unless it’s something I really want to read, which is very rare 😉
Xx
So I guess you sometimes buy the hardback because you don’t want to wait until it’s out in paperback?
Must admit that
1) I’m too mean to do that
2) I have more patience (which reminds me must buy the latest Kate Atkinson….)
He he he, most of my hardbacks are charity shop finds 😉
Xx
It’s rare for me to buy a hardback version of a book. I’ll find copies of my husband’s favorite author in hardback sometimes at thrift stores for less than a couple of dollars. The last hardback book I actually paid full price for was a midwifery book I was really interested in and was only available in hardback.
Yes, I’ve bought some academic books (history) in hardback because there’s no alternative. That’s probably the only time I would pay full price for myself….I have been known to buy a hardback as a present for someone else but not often…
Rarely, unless it’s a gift of a really beautiful or signed edition.
Oh, you’ve reminded me of the only other time I buy hardbacks….at book launches and readings. Seems rude not to….!