'what kind of book' vs 'what kind of books'

[tulipflower]

Is there any difference between the following structures?

'What kind of 'book' do you read' vs 'What kind of 'books' do you read'?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I'd make it singular or plural and not mix them. "What kind of book . . . ." or "What kinds of books . . . ."

The first assumes you only like one kind book. The second assumes that you like more than one.

However, in ordinary conversation, I don't think either of your versions would bother anyone, and you'd get the same answer no matter what you make singular or plural.

 

[jutfrank]

Both versions are correct and natural, but one uses singular book and the other uses plural books, so they can mean different things depending on context, and be used in different ways.

We're assuming the question is enquiring about someone's taste in books, in which case read means something like 'like to read', and books plural is appropriate because the enquiring is asking about books in general.

 

[emsr2d2]

I would use "book" only in the specific question "What type of book are you reading?", referring to one specific book that you know the person is in the process of reading.

 

[Tdol]

The singular could, just about, be a way of asking whether someone reads actual books or e-books on a kindle, etc.