Paperback or Hardback?
A book lover's this or that challenge
As avid readers, we all have our book preferences. Physical book or e-book? Hardback or paperback? A page turning thriller novel or a sweet romance novel?
I came across a "this or that" challenge a while ago on social media. While these questions center around readers and their book preferences, some of them can also apply to movie and film lovers.
Reflecting on my reading preferences and more was fun. Here's how I answered.
Coffee or Tea? ☕🍵
I enjoy and find both drinks warm and comforting. Lately, I’ve been drinking more hot tea. I’ve actually had a cup of London Fog tea for the first time recently and thoroughly enjoyed it!
However, I am definitely more of a coffee person. It’s my go to drink to start my day. I like my coffee with just enough flavored creamer so that I can still experience the coffee taste. My creamers of choice are French Vanilla and Irish Creme.
You can easily find a mug of coffee iced or hot depending on the season close by as I do some reading or work on a writing project. It’s fuel for my focus and creativity!
Paperback or hardback? 📚
This is a hard one. I used to prefer hardback books more because I thought they were cool looking and had a more appealing and fancier look. To me, they were an upgrade to paperbacks and less prone to damage.
I also liked the hardbacks that came with an attractive jacket cover and I still do!
Now, I think I like both paper and hard backs equally now.
Hero or Villain? 🦸🦹
Ah! I’m going to have to go with the villain on this one! Both reading and writing about villainous characters can be so thrilling! Let's go, villains!
I love learning about their desires and seeing their plan in the story as it slowly unfolds. I like villains that draw you in and persuade you, just as they do with the story’s protagonist. Cunning and persuasive, maybe a little charm too. After all, the villain is the hero of their own story.
A well written and developed villain can make a story so much more interesting!
I really wish I could say that I have a favorite villain but I don't or at none notable come to mind at the moment.
My favorite kind of villain however is the one you don’t realize is the villain until the end of the story. Maybe one day, I’ll be clever enough to create such a story or character!
Romance or Fantasy? 💞🤺
Fantasy for sure! It’s always exciting to read about mythical creatures and worlds. I can find myself absorbed and lost in a fantasy realm. Before I know it, I’ve finished another chapter.
I am not much of a romance fan! I find a lot of romance too predictable. I suppose there are plenty of romance books out there that aren’t like your typical romance novel. However, I don’t mind a little slow burn!
Dog ear or Bookmark? 🔖📖
Bookmarks, please! I would never bend the pages of a book to mark a page and if I’m reading a book that already has dog ears, I’ll unfold them. I have a few favorite bookmarks that I like to use to mark my place.
If I don’t have a bookmark, I’ll try to remember the page number which isn’t always successful! And I admit, while I try not to do it, I’ll lay the book open upside down which is probably worse for the book than having it dog eared.
E-book or Audiobook? 💻🔉
I’m going with audiobooks on this one. I hardly ever read e-books and would rather read a physical book.
I’m going with audiobooks because listening to audiobooks makes me feel more focused and absorbed in the story. Especially if the story is narrated by talented and attention-grabbing narrators that are able bring the personalities of the characters to life!
New Books or Used Books? 📗📘
Another tough choice! As long as a book catches my attention and has an appealing look, I’ll read it. There’s just something about a brand-new book like the crisp smell and feel of new pages.
I also believe in giving used books a chance! There are plenty out there that are deserving and waiting to be read.
Single POV or Multi POV? 🧑🧑🤝🧑
I don’t really have a preference for this one. I’m going with the single point of view because I find it easier to follow. If done right, multiple POV can be truly engaging and easy to follow as well. With multi POV, we can understand each individual character and their motives more.
Which of these do you prefer? If this story inspired you, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
About the Creator
Jasmine Aguilar
Fascinated by pop culture and its effect on society... movies, music, books.. and pretty much anything.
I love writing and write a little bit of everything including a science fiction WIP!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/J.A.Rose
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Comments (13)
I adore bookmarks, hogging them at the library. Multi POV if i dont get bored. Used or new...i go for interesting...Romance ugh! fantasy and hitmen all the way. Audio for my evening walks and everything in its place. Loved this a lot. Great TS.
I loved this "This or That" challenge. It really came down to making hard decisions here, haha. I loved getting to know your opinions on this; it looks like we have a lot in common, Jasmine! Congratulations on getting Top Story!
This was such a cozy read! I loved getting a glimpse into your bookish preferences—it felt like chatting with a fellow reader over coffee. Totally agree on villains and audiobooks!
Congratulations on Top Story!!!
Intriguing stuff mate. I love seeing what other readers have to say about things such as whether they read ebooks or not. I tend to read more ebooks and paperbacks (especially used) because I'm obsessive and there is a price barrier I have to think about. But, there is an argument for reading hardbacks as well, especially if you're looking to read a book that has just come out and is brand new. Might I recommend that if you're not into ebooks too much that you give something like NetGalley a chance (don't worry, I'm not shilling for them, they're free). It's a site where you can get advanced copies of books if you have like a blog or a GoodReads. It might be a good idea in the long term price run for hardbacks (that are increasing in cost) and it also means you can download them to your phone/kindle and not have to slug them around + you can get the book before it comes out x Also, great piece mate, I too love a good villain arc. X
Interesting questions! Either, or sometimes, both. When I'm very tired I like a "dirty chai" - a chai latte with a shot or two of espresso. Most days, just chai or just black coffee. Either. I'm usually looking for books that are unusual or out of print, so I'll typically take them however I can find them. But I'd prefer a hardcover if that's an option. Villains are always more fun, but I simply prefer the better character. Overall I think I prefer anti-heroes because you don't know what they're going to do. Fantasy. I have no interest in romance. And overall I prefer my other genres of film, books, etc. to be free of token romantic interest. A writer friend and I were just saying how refreshing and wonderful it is to have a book or film, like a heist or mystery, where there's no token romantic interest. I used to be strictly bookmark, and still tend to be. But it depends on the book. If I'm reading some crappy business book for work, I'll dogear it. I don't treat those things with any reverence at all. But if it's a quality book I plan to keep, I'll use some sort of bookmark, even if it's a slip of paper. I have no use for e-books, and I've only listened to two audiobooks in my life. I like new books and used books. I rarely buy new books. Most books I'm looking for are out of print, or I can get used copies at a steep discount. However, if it's something I'm excited about, a living author I want to support, I'll make sure to buy new. I don't have a preference for single or multiple POV. I just want a well-written story that's easy to follow.
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What a fun way to bring vocal people together! Coffee is life! Love a good villain (in stories that is). We have too many in real life running amok!
Good job, but I like both hard and paperback books of all genres. Old or new both are great, but actually I really like vintage books.
I love this! I think, to paraphrase Margaret Atwood, "a book after a book after a book is power". And all villains are heroes in their own story. But Romance? Eww... 😗
I also completely step over e-books and either go physical or audio. Also dogears are sadistic. Someone's going to read that after you—perhaps even yourself! My friend's dad asked me why hardbacks always release before paperbacks, and I realized that's likely a deliberate decision by the publishing house to squeeze as much money out of people who want to read physical copies but don't want to wait for the cheaper paperback. Which is not a comment on your preference for hardbacks, the title just reminded me of that conclusion.
Tea please, large print hardcover, villain, both romance and fantasy, bookmark, neither ebook or audiobook, used books, definitely single point of view! Fun read!!!❤️❤️💕
We have almost all of the exact same answers!! Only difference is I dog ear whenever I don’t have a bookmark near; I did it for all my childhood, so it’s a habit!