New Books

New books are a treasure. When purchasing a new book, there are many options for shoppers. Online dealers, local bookstores and wholesale vendors or distributors for retailers are just some of the choices consumers have when looking for new books.

Hardcover Vs. Paperback
Most new works of fiction and non-fiction are published only in hardcover for 3-12 weeks or more after the first printing. After that, paperbacks become available at a much more discounted price, sometimes up to 60 percent or more. To get the best deal on a book, it's better to wait to buy the paperback if you don't mind the wear and tear it will sustain.

Inevitably, paperback covers tear and deteriorate over time. Most publishers give their paperbacks a 50-70 year shelf life, while hardcover books can range into the hundreds of years or more, depending on the presence of dustcover protection and the amount of light exposure.

Aesthetically, hardcovers are generally more attractive, and stand up more rigidly on library shelves. However, hardcover books are heavy and cumbersome, making it hard for the reader to hold the book up for extended periods of time. Hardcover books, especially college textbooks, have a higher resale rate than paperbacks, though, averaging about 40 percent better return for your money. However, resales in general only earn you a fraction of their original purchase price and aren't thought of as a terribly smart investment for someone looking to collect new books.