I don't buy new books very often. But when I do, it's almost always a hardcover.

I'm sort of all over the place on this one. I think it depends on how much use I think the book will get. If I plan to read it many times or use it as a reference often, I'd prefer it in hard cover because then it will be slightly more sturdy. If I plan to read it once or twice and then loan it out to friends, I prefer it to be a paperback because then it'll be less upsetting if it isn't returned to me.

I'm only just starting to get into ebooks. I think I like them for stories, but wouldn't want an instructional book to be virtual. I have noticed that if it's an ebook, I'll mark it up with highlighting and notes, which is something that I consider to be fairly taboo with print books.

I like both but I find that hardcover books have a more "appealing" look.

I like softcover because it's more light .

I prefer hardcover because they are more durable.Softcover is basically a paper - it can be damaged quite easily even if you handle the book carefully.

I don't have money for hard. I usually have to wait ages for the soft version to come XD When I'm already sure I'll like a book, though, I buy it in hardcover, so I can get it fast and have it looking pretty all the time. Examples of these are The Diviners (Libba Bray) and both books from the "Two Pearls of Wisdom" (Alison Goodman).

I actually find hard more inconvenient, though. The jacket is a hassle to maintain and makes it difficult to pack into a backpack to bring to school without wrinkling the edges of the jacket. Sure, softcovers get spines and fray at the corners, but an aged softcover still looks better than a hardcover with a ruined jacket, in my opinion.

I sill prefer Hardcover but the newest book of Anne Rice is only available as softcover here *grumbles*

I prefer paperbacks because they're much cheaper, but I'm so ticky about the spine getting that annoying white line from bending the book too far I worry myself too much with them. I want paperback covers and a hardcover spine. XD

Looking at the price, definitely soft cover because it's not worth buying hard cover if it's twice the soft cover. While I'm reading, I get distracted with the soft cover because I don't want to ruin or bend it. That's why I like hard cover, but for that reason only. Soft cover is more comfortable in my hands.

I prefer hardcover half because I just like the way they look and feel. And half because I'm bit clumsy so if I drop it there is less damage to it.