Asklemmy

Actually I prefer E-ink (using Kobo with Koreader).

But when I have to take a physical book I prefer to choose the paperback one, it is light, cheap and flexible.

Hardcover are nicer in a bookshelf than in my hands.

I like paperback for reading, such as novels or whatever book I'll be holding for an extended period of time.

In contrast I prefer hardcover for books that are more visual in content or that are made to be consulted briefly such as encyclopaedias, dictionaries, etc. Or if I want it to stay open and flat on a surface, hardcover.

I'm ambivalent about small/medium sized gift books or trinket books. Those can be whatever type of cover.

Old ass musty smelling paperback. 50's and old racist 60's sci-fi books smell best. I have a problem.

Kindle. I rarely re-read, so why waste the paper/space.

The only time I prefer physical books to ebooks is when there’s a heavy focus on maps, diagrams, or other illustrations. In those cases I generally want the physical book to be as large as possible, which usually means hardcover.

Paperback. I've sometimes waited for paperback versions of books after their initial hardcover release. Cheaper, lighter, same reading, I used to be less patient so would suck it up and get the hardcover, nowadays I don't read as much so waiting is easier. I read a lot when traveling and hardcovers are just such a pain. The only "nice" collection I have is LOTR+hobbit.

I'm trying out an eReader soon but I'm not sure I'll be able to get away from the desire of physically turning pages.

Paperback if I'm reading in my recliner. It's just lighter and more flexible in my hand. Hardcover if I'm sitting at a desk because it's nice to set the hardcover down flat.

Ebooks all the way. An eink e-reader is delightful and ever since I got a Pixel Fold I like to read on that even though it's not eink (Now if I could get a foldy eink e-reader I would be sooo happy!) because I can hold it like a physical book.

Plus, you just can't compete with being able to bring an entire library with you and the physical space savings for storage in general

I don't care about keeping books on selves and ebooks and paperbacks are easier to read. Hardcovers are always so heavy.

If it's a new book and one that I think other people may be interested in borrowing, I'll get the hardcover for the extra protection.

However, there's a used paperback store down the street from me that has a whole bunch of heavily used paperbacks for like $1 each, and those have definitely been dominating my collection lately. Sometimes I'll just pick up a dozen of them. That little store is one of those treasure troves of unexpected things, even though when you find one of those treasures, you might need to flip the pages carefully to prevent it from falling apart.

Ebooks and hardcovers.

Hardcover on the bookshelf that will never get read. Ebook on the Kindle.

I like free books from my library and usually read on my phone. I like that I can try a book, and if it's garbage, I have zero sunk costs. Just move on and read something else.

Kindle.

ADHD usually means that I’ll stop mid-word and want to read something else. If I have all my books in one place, I can still sit in my comfy chair and switch, instead of wasting further hours perusing my library and getting lost in memories of acquiring each book.

I mostly prefer ebooks and audiobooks. If I am buying physical books I usually prefer paperback if it's something I intend to only read once or twice like a novel, and hardcover if it's something I expect to open a lot like a TTRPG manual or coffee table book.

Audiobook > ebook > paperback > hardcover.

I listen to audiobooks way more often than reading. I can keep listening to the same book while driving or exercising or doing whatever around the house.

Paperback over hardcover if I'm going to have a physical book because it's less expensive and more space and weight efficient.

I love a good hardcover, but tend to flip between hardcover, paperback, and kobo e-ink. I try to buy used books where possible just for the environmental impact. They are often less expensive, too.

Either, so long as it's a physical book. I don't like reading on a screen for books, but don't mind for Wikipedia and news.

Not a big difference really.

I have most of the classics in paperback. Hardcovers do come out first, so if you're in a hurry to read something new, that's there first.

Paperback. For big books maybe hardcover so it stays in one piece, but tbh all the 1000+ page books I have are still paperbacks. Even if they were the same price, I think paperbacks are easier to hold and read since they're more flexible. But the sturdiness of hardbacks can be nice sometimes

Paperback so I can cuddle with it in bed.

When I was younger, paperback because they were cheap. These days I prefer hard back because the font is easier on my eyes.

That I said, like everyone else it seems, I do much more reading on my Kobo. It has the font benefits if I need it, but huge space savings. I still have a large collection of books but every time I move I tend to move more and move of them into ebooks.

PDFs

I know it was implied to be physical book, I usually read academic stuff, and having ability to select stuff and searching, dark theming, and ability to carry my older almost closet full of books, in something like 100-200 MBs of PDFs is just great. There are times when I actually had physical books, I would scan and ocr if i could not find a digital copy from the 7 seas.

When I actually would get stuff, Hardcover (preferably jacketted) because they were thick (like 400-1400 pages thick) and not having hardcover meant the covers would have a half life of something like 50 uses, maybe less, or atleast it would get stained.

Digital only. Who even has room for physical books.

I find paperbacks more comfortable. Though I have just bought a Kobo so I'll probably be using that more soon.

Personally I'd like me some blend between paperback and hardcover.

Paperbacks can be laid flat (but damage quickly), hardcovers not as easily (but don't damage quickly).

Something like a concealed Cased-in-Wire-O might be best, but where you don't really see the spirals between the pages.

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: It depends. To own? Definitely a hardback. They last longer. To borrow (i.e. from the library)? Paperback for sure. (Often) easier to read imo.

I always choose hardcover. I try to keep the number of my owned physical books low. So when I do buy it, I want my eyes to be satisfied and they prefer the looks of hardcover. Since I usually buy secondhand books, overall it's very cheap (although I don't have high standards on the book's condition).