Looking through the list of books I’m planning to buy in 2010, I noticed an unprecedented number of hardcovers. I’ve traditionally bought very few books in hardcover due to the enormous difference in price when compared to the paperback editions. This year, however, there are eight books on my To Be Bought/Pre-Order list which are hardcovers. They are as follows:
The Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson – I’ve enjoyed all of Dorothy Koomson’s books so far, and the price at The Book Depository was simply too good to resist.
One Was a Soldier by Julia Spencer-Fleming – Need I say more? I’ve been waiting in impatient anticipation for the next Clare and Russ story to be released. There is absolutely no way I can wait until it’s out in paperback.
A Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin – I’m enjoying this excellent medieval mystery series so much.
The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear – This is the seventh book featuring Maisie Dobbs, the post-WWI psychologist-detective. This story is supposed to bring some joy into Maisie’s personal life and I’m looking forward to seeing how Winspear does this.
Lover Mine by J.R. Ward – I was on the fence about whether or not to purchase this book in hardcover. I wasn’t blown away by Lover Avenged. On the other hand, I know I’m going to want to read it when everyone starts talking about it. When I saw it reduced at The Book Depository, I was tempted into sin.
Untitled by Val McDermid – Val McDermid is my favourite author of contemporary thrillers. I’m particularly fond of her stand alone thrillers and she alternates publishing a stand alone with another instalment in her ongoing Tony Hill series. By my calculations, this year should bring another stand alone.
Heartstone by C.J. Sansom – I’ve loved all the books in Sansom’s Tudor mystery series featuring the lawyer, Matthew Shardlake. This will be the fifth novel in the series.
Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning – This series is like crack. The last book ended on a major cliffhanger and I have to know what happens next.
Looking at this list, I notice that not one of them is a romance book. (I think it’s fair to say that J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood has evolved into an urban fantasy series, and can no longer be classified as paranormal romance.) I’m also more inclined to buy a book from a mystery series in hardcover because I’m anxious to know what happens next in the continuing story arcs. Last but not least, The Book Depository have had some great deals on new hardcovers lately, making it more difficult for me to resist temptation.
Do you buy (m)any hardcovers? What authors or genre would you be most likely to buy in hardcover?
{ 11 comments }
Also on the fence about the JR Ward book. Most likely will wait for pb. Same with KMM’s book. I know, there is something seriously wrong with me.
Pretty much the only authors whose books I buy in HC are Suzanne Brockmann and Lisa Kleypas. I’ve made a few exceptions, and if I cave, it will be for the KMM book.
LOL – you were tempted into sin by Lover Mine. It’s crack!!! Right along with Shadowfever!
I used to buy the odd hardcover, but these days it is very rare – unless they are drastically reduced in price.
Apart from being a tightwad, I actually have relatively shoddy wrists and find them a pain in the butt to read.
Well, if Macmillan will get their corporate head out of their corporate butt, I’ll be right there on line buying Julia Spencer-Fleming’s latest in hardcover, and not answering the phone immediately thereafter until I’ve read it. Frankly, I suspect I’d read her grocery list in hardcover…
@Stacy ~: If Lisa Kleypas had a HC contemporary romance out this year, I’d be sorely tempted.
@Mandi: I’m blaming you. You keep tweeting and blogging teasers about Lover Mine!
@Edie: For me, at least, the HC prices on The Book Depository are often very interesting. Some of those I pre-ordered cost just €2-€3 more than the average paperback.
@Magdalen: I’m not holding my breath for an April 2010 release. Macmillan aren’t listing it as one of their upcoming hardcover releases and they already have other April books up on their site. I’m hoping it’s at least released this year.
I don’t buy that many hardcovers, but I do know I will be buying Tana French’s book when it comes out in July. Her first novel (In the Woods) was good and her second (The Likeness) took my breath away.
I’ve bought hardcovers only from KMM, Richelle Mead and Lois McMaster Bujold. I think hardcovers are just way too expensive for me, so I usually wait for paperbacks. But not with KMM or Mead – I have to have them… like _now_!
I used to buy zero hardcovers. NONE-I refused. There are a few authors I do buy hardcovers for now, though–Sharon Shinn, Stephanie Meyer, LJ Smith (most of them are YA authors). I did also buy the latest KMM in hardcover. Hopefully that’s worth it!
I am more prone to buying hardcovers for mystery. That’s it. I only want two though: JSF (chances are Macmillan probably won’t release an ebook version) and Ariana Franklin’s newest (in ebook).
I won’t buy very many books, and none in hardcover, because most books come out here straight to trade paperback not hardcover. On my list of books I have to read though I do have both Koomson and Franklin! Looking forward to both of those.
@Lynn Spencer: I keep meaning to try Tana French’s books. They sound good.
@Maija A.: Hardcovers are usually ridiculously expensive in comparison to paperbacks. However, I’ve got some great deals lately. I’m willing to pay a bit extra if I really want to read the book, as is the case with the next Julia Spencer-Fleming. I’ll never manage to wait two years to read the last book in KMM’s Fever series.
@heidenkind: I hope you enjoy the rest of the Fever series. I found them highly addictive.
@Keishon: You got me hooked on both JSF and Ariana Franklin!
@Marg: I hope you like them. I think both Dorothy Koomson and Ariana Franklin are wonderful authors.