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April 16th 2021

16/4/2021

5 Comments

 

Charlot King's Blog Post

Hello, how is everyone? 

I thought this week I would talk about hardback books. For some reason, Amazon contacted me and said they'd like to offer me the opportunity to turn my novels into hardbacks. It came out of the blue as they are 'BETA' testing it - whatever that really is. It does mean that I have not been able to get normal proof copies, as it is all in the trial stage, so I nervously accepted - as I like my books to look good! As soon as my copies arrive I will take pics and let you know what I think.

But it made me wonder who buys hardbacks anymore? I don't mean to be critical, just curious.

I only have a small number these days myself and don't choose them as the first option for myself. But, I have to admit, I do like buying them as gifts! They feel more luxurious, indulgent, higher quality.

Unlike many, I don't keep most of the books I read. It does make me smile when I join a zoom call and see most people sitting in front of rows of shelves stacked with books - somehow trying to show that they read them and hence are intelligent. Call me contrary, but I deliberately sit with few if any books behind me so I don't give off this 'air'. I don't want anyone to think I'm intelligent. It's too much pressure!

I don't keep my books for two reasons. I don't have time to read almost all of them again, as I'm not getting any younger and there are so many new ones out there. So why not give them to charity someone else can? Secondly, after my mother died, I gave away a lot of possessions. Something about clearing things out and not wanting to leave a large pile of 'stuff' for any left behind to have to wade through themselves. I was surprised by how easy it was to let go of almost all my books once I had those two motivations clear in my mind.

Consequently, I must have about ten to twenty hardbacks left. Ones I just cannot part with.  I have a couple of art books, such as the drawings by Arthur Rackham which I peruse. I have an early edition of A Tale of Two Cities, and then a few remaining random books which will mean nothing to anyone. Just too sentimental to me to let go of - yet.

For me, hardbacks take up more space, they are heavier to carry, I presume use more of the tree, and always felt a little bit more formal. More scholarly. Traditional publishers would bring out the hardback first, wouldn't they - in the old days. Whereas the paperback was seen more as the airport novel. The commercial hit. The holiday romance read. At least in my mind. 

All those days have gone and both the paperback and hardback are interchangeable, I'm sure. 

And now it is the decade/s of the ebook. Sometimes I wonder what is coming next. The download straight into the brain book?

I must admit, I am surprised by Amazon's initiative. Are people going to go back to the hardback like those who have returned to the vinyl record? Is it the touch and feel. The gift. Something that ignites nostalgia? I would love to hear from you about why you love the hardback. Or, if even if you don't.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.
Cxx


5 Comments
Fiona
18/4/2021 09:09:56 am

Hi Charlot

Interesting blog. I remember when hardback books were too expensive for me to consider buying (except when required such as at university). However, I am a great reader of the fantasy genre where stories would come in trilogies or even longer series and, sometimes, I would treat myself to the hardback so I could find out what happened next. That leads to uneven bookshelves with a row of paperbacks leading to a few hardback books! Then I signed up for Quality Paperbacks Direct which produced paperback versions sooner than the publishers did. Clever idea, well marketed. Nowadays, hardback books don’t appear to be as expensive as they used to be (I think the net book agreement disappearing impacted on this) and they are more popular as we see from the regular lists of top selling books in the Sunday times etc! I have quite a mixed bag of hard and soft covers on my bookshelves and I rarely let go of my books. That’s not because I want to be seen as erudite or well read but because each book is like a photograph of a particular time when I read it and even just looking at them takes me back to that time. However, books take up a lot of space and I now tend to use a kindle with the occasional buying of a physical book. I’m currently reading two books - both hardback - because they are not available in any other format as they are no longer published. One of them is a first edition from the 1960s and it has that lovely old smell about it that I love. Each book we have has potential to generate that smell in years to come and it is such a comforting smell, look and feel - kindle can’t replicate that! I have also just bought a new book (Helgoland) in hardback and it comes with a book ribbon which brings me such a childlike sense of joy! For me, it doesn’t matter what format the book comes in so long as people buy it and read it - as the Bible never said “without reading, the people shall perish”!

Reply
Charlot
19/4/2021 07:01:33 am

That is such a lovely reminder of why the physical book is so lovely. I also hadn’t appreciated how they would bring back memories. I know I found it harder to let go of some of the books I read on holiday as they reminded me of the places. Books take us to so many places themselves and are magical things. Xx

Reply
Beverly Button
25/4/2021 07:29:16 am

Lovely Charlot:

I have hundreds of hardback books, each one cherished and read many times. In my younger days, I collected nineteenth and early twentieth century children's books. Their faded covers and quaint illustrations delight me, and I still enjoy the woes and triumphs of the Pepper family, Penelope's world travels, Anne Shirley's mishaps, and Mary's discovery of the Secret Garden.
I have a collection of D.E. Stevenson's books, a lovely copy of dear Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice from Bath, all of Agatha Christie's and Dorothy L. Sayers' works, and countless other mystery books from writers I admire.
Humor, fantasy, fact, biographies, and science fiction are on my bookshelves, hardbacks and paperbacks. All my books are trusted friends, evoking memories of people and places I love. I've read them many times.

Reply
Charlot King
28/4/2021 06:41:22 am

That is so lovely to hear. Especially that you read them again. I guess because I have more plants I have no space, but I’m glad they bring you joy. They take us places, don’t they. Cx

Reply
Bettina Tenley
15/5/2021 08:06:30 pm

I prefer a hardback book although I will say most of my books are on kindle. I just like having one or two by my bedside. I currently have Hemingway’s Hurricane by Phil Scott ( I am a Florida native) and I am reading a Bryant and May mystery, Oranges and Lemons by Christopher Fowler.

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