I’m wondering about this because a hardcover book I been frequently using a lot for university just got its front cover torn out after frequent use for my homeworks across the semester. Granted it was already used when I bought it but the whole reason I chose it over the much cheaper softcover copy was precisely because I’m expected to use this text for multiple semesters.
So I wonder does a book really being hardcover really protect it for longterm use? Are they really worth the extra typical $10-$30 dollar price over softcover and paperback books? If protection is not the reason, why even buy hardcover books? I ask this because of my disappointment of how my textbook didn’t last long in an entacted state?
I work in a library and have found softcover books usually show more superficial wear and tear (frayed corners of the cover, yellowed pages) but ultimately last longer than hardcover books. Hardcovers have a habit of tearing at the spine and totally detaching or ripping. This is in a public library where books are handled sometimes roughly by many people.
Hardcovers are great for the books that you want to look nice and can keep them safely on a shelf, rather than a high use item.
fellow librarian here, came here to say this! with acquisitions and donations my library prefers hardcovers because the exterior looks better for much longer, but the thicker the book the faster the spine will detach with regular use. they end up checked out to repair more often than softcovers. but as a private collector i prefer hardcover anyway because it won’t get a lot of use so i’m not worried about the spine!
The looking nice is also subjective because I hate the look, feel and space of hardcovers haha. I purposely preorder books internationally to get paperbacks.
fair enough! to each their own; i’m glad you found a format you like!