I think might be the exact opposite of you Merzbow
I prefer reading the hardbacks. A tiny paperback is too hard to manage, you always have to move your hands around and 'work harder' to read the same story. Having a hardback come out sooner is just an added bonus.
Even if I discover a book after it's been out for a while, I still puchase the hardback. I've even gone as far as to buy a full 4 part series in hardback before reading the 1st.
I may be in the minority, but to me, even a hardback is cheap. I'm not filthy rich, but when compared to something like a video game I pay $59 for, or a movie for $9, a $20 or $30 book seems like a good deal. That book is going to give me hours of enjoyment reading it, and often much more either thinking about the book after I've read it, lending it to friends to get them hooked, or rereading it. When I buy paperbacks I just feel like I'm stealing.
Supporting the authors is a nice benefit as well. I think to date I have purchased maybe ~20 of Brandon's books (including 9 at his last signing here, many of those were for others who couldn't make it or gifts for young reader cousins). I think right now I own 4 hardback copies of MB1, 2 of MB2, 2 of Alcatraz and 3 of Elantris. Only a few of those are sitting on my book shelf, most are out with other readers. Last I heard, one of the copies of Elantris made it's way up to Minesota and is in the hands of it's 5th reader in the chain. It's not just Brandon's books either. I own between 3-6 copies of each HP book, including a full set of Hardcovers I don't ever plan on reading, but more just 'keeping'.
Brandon, do you think you'll ever do the 'deluxe' or 'special' editions of any of your books? I'm a big sucker for collectors stuff like that as well.
