Booking Through Thursday : Format

All other things (like price and storage space) being equal, given a choice in a perfect world, would you rather have paperbacks in your library? Or hardcovers? And why?

I think I would mostly go for paperbacks, because they're more practical for transport. You can put them easily in a bag, you can read them anywhere, whereas hardcovers are heavier, and not so practical for the reading, except when you have space around you to read, and that you're well installed. But I prefer hardcovers on the point of how it shows in a library. So maybe it would be fifty-fifty. But there's something I don't quite understand in the terms of hardcovers and paperbacks. I understand that the covers are different, that's ok. But what about the format? Well in France it's simple, we talk about 'grand format' (big size) and 'poche' (pocket size). Pocket books are all paperbacks. And 'grands formats' are mostly paperbacks too, but we have also hardcovers in 'grand format' only. But the thing is, that it seems that when you say paperbacks, you talk about our 'poche', even if your pocket size is more like a french 'semi-poche'. But you have paperbacks in big size too, but one point is sure, you have a lot more hardcover than us. And a lot cheaper too;o) Well if someone can explain all this thing about hardcover and paperbacks, go ahead! And thanks!