Hardback books: 'great beauty' or dying format?

The debate over hardback versus paperback books continues, with arguments on cost, aesthetics, and sustainability. Columnist Larry Ryan recently called for ditching hardbacks due to their high price, noting that cheaper versions follow within months. Christopher Moss of Moss Books in Cheltenham says hardback fiction is a "hard sell" but notes a recent uptick in popularity driven by vintage trends and readers wanting display copies after reading on tablets. Richard Jones of Tangent Books in Bristol emphasizes hardbacks' financial importance for independent publishers, allowing margins of £30 versus £15 for paperbacks. He describes them as a "specialist form of print" that publishers encourage. Eileen Welby, 73, who runs book groups for the Women's Institute, says members prefer paperbacks or digital formats due to arthritis and poor eyesight, though she loves the smell and covers of new books. Vicky Fraser of LibrariesWest explains that libraries mainly buy paperbacks to stretch budgets, but purchase hardbacks for first prints. She notes that modern hardbacks are lighter than in the past. The article also references trends in sustainability, e-readers, and the impact of digital devices on print profits.