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?

  • OneGoodRib@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    The books I have in the worst condition are all paperbacks. I’ve got a hardcover from 1923 that’s in great shape.

    Of course I had a hardcover of the third Harry Potter book which is so far the only book I’ve ever had where 200 pages just came out of the binding.

    Ultimately I think it’s the binding plus the owner who determines quality. But I mean almost all my books are secondhand and the ones that aren’t are all old, and the paperbacks are all in the worst condition, the hardcovers are fine.