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Kate Carlisle | Hardcover vs. Paperback: Which Is Better?
June 6, 2016
The first book in my Bibliophile Mystery series
was HARDCOVER IN
HOMICIDE, which, ironically, debuted in mass market paperback (and ebook, of
course). In 2009, I was a new writer, so it made perfect sense to bring me out
first in paperback, but the title caused a little confusion. Fast forward four years and seven books later. Enough readers had fallen in love
with the Bibliophile
Mysteries that A
COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY was first released in hardcover, a real milestone in my
career. BOOKS OF A
FEATHER, in stores now, is the fourth of my books to debut in hardcover. 
They come out in paperback about a year later. RIPPED FROM THE PAGES came
out in paperback last month. Here are the hardcover and paperback versions of
RIPPED FROM THE PAGES. Does it give you the same thrill to see my name
at the top as it does me? (Perhaps not!) 
My heroine, Brooklyn Wainwright, is a world-renowned bookbinder, and—in addition
to a classic murder mystery—my readers love learning about the fascinating
details about rare books. We are all, my readers and I, bibliophiles, who love
not just the stories, but books themselves. Perhaps my audience is skewed toward appreciating the longevity and substantial
nature of hardcovers. They look beautiful on bookshelves, and they withstand
wear and tear of rereading much better, which is why libraries love them. Lots
of my readers like to reread my mysteries, to look for clues they missed the
first time around and laugh at the things Brooklyn and her quirky friends and
family say and do. (The pressure's on me to get the details right!) 
Paperbacks have a charm of their own. Lightweight, compact, inexpensive, they're
easy to impulse-buy and easy to carry. I don't feel as bad when a paperback is
damaged because there's an impermanence about them. I'm proud that my books are available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audio.
Next step, leather bound collectors' editions… and then, world domination! ;-) Which do you prefer, hardcovers, paperbacks, or ebooks? What do you
love about them?
Brooklyn's friend Ian runs the Covington Library, which is hosting an exhibit
featuring John James Audubon's massive masterpiece, Birds of America, currently
on loan from an Arab sheik. During the gala celebrating the book, she is
approached by Jared Mulrooney, the president of the National Birdwatchers
Society, who urgently needs Brooklyn's skilled hands to repair a less
high-profile book of Audubon drawings that's fallen victim to spilled wine. At the same party, Brooklyn is flying high after she's asked to refurbish and
appraise a rare copy of Poor Richard's Almanac. But everything runs afoul later
that evening when Mulrooney's body is discovered in the library. Rumors fly
about a motive for murder. Perhaps Mulrooney wanted to sink his claws into the
pricey Audubon book, but Brooklyn believes the man died fighting off a daring thief. Soon more troubles ruffle Brooklyn's feathers. Her parents pop in for a visit
with an unsavory friend in tow, and there's a strange man on her tail. With
danger beginning to circle Brooklyn's every move, it's clear she must find
answers before things really go south . . .
New York Times bestselling author Kate Carlisle is a native Californian
who worked in television production for many years before turning to writing. It
was a lifelong fascination with the art and craft of bookbinding that led her to
write the Bibliophile Mysteries, featuring Brooklyn Wainwright, whose
bookbinding and restoration skills invariably uncover old secrets, treachery and
murder. Visit Kate online at www.KateCarlisle.com.
Comments
4 comments posted.
Re: Kate Carlisle | Hardcover vs. Paperback: Which Is Better?
Right now, I prefer ebooks. I have hardcover, paperback and
ebooks, and they all have advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of hardcovers and paperbacks:They are portable. I
do not currently have a mobile reading device, so I read
ebooks on my laptop computer, which I do not wish to take in
public. So, if I want to read, I will pull a hardcover or
paperback. The downside to both for me is that they take up
physical space, which I don't have a lot of.
Advantages of ebooks: They take up no physical space, and
they are easier to remove if I dislike them. Downside for
me: see above.
Bottom line for me: I will buy all formats, as it depends on
the books I want, what format they are available in and,
most importantly, what I can afford.
(Edward Washington 10:14pm June 6, 2016)
I think it depends on your time of life. I have used all
formats to read books. I bought paperbacks originally
because they were cheaper and smaller. Just tucked them
into my purse and off I went. Then I was able to afford
hardbacks, and I invested in them. Then my back started
going, so I started reading ebooks. Those darn Outlander
hardbacks left black and blue marks on my legs they were
so heavy!! Then I discovered audio books and I found that
I could multitask while enjoying my stories. I could
catalog books, shelve, drive, do household chores while
still listening. So, it has been a transformational
journey for me. At this point, I prefer my audio books.
(Marcia Berbeza 9:42am June 7, 2016)
That's very interesting, Edward. Portability is cited frequently as a benefit of ebooks, but since you read on your computer, it makes sense that that's not true for you. Thanks for the comment!
(Kate Carlisle 1:49pm June 7, 2016)
Marcia, spoken like a true bibliophile! :) You like books in ALL their forms. :) I think a lot of older readers were initially reluctant to try ebooks, but once they discovered that you could easily change the font size, they became quick converts! Good point on the weight, too! With an ereader, the weight doesn't change even if you're carrying 300 books around with you. :D
(Kate Carlisle 1:50pm June 7, 2016)
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