Question on Hardback and softback books.

[joemcf]

I was in WHSmith the other day and i saw a softback copy of UA. Now, my hardcover version is 400 pages, but this softback was nearly 500. So iwas wondering, is there more in the softback version of UA, or are the softbacks always longer and i haven't noticed before. Thanks in advance.

Joe

 

[poohcarrot]

Hi joemcf

There are less words on a page on the paperbacks because they're smaller.

 

[joemcf]

I suppose yeah, but could the publisher not have just made the text the same no of lines as the hardback? Has it always been like that?

 

[poohcarrot]

If they'd made it the same size as a hardback, yeah, they probably could.

 

[joemcf]

I suppose but i still think they could. It wouldn't bee too hard, and i've always noticed on the hardbacks that the text seemed quite big. Oh well. Didn't really matter. Was just wondering and trying to get back into the forum again. I forgot to reread The fifth elephant but i will hopefully be able to join in with the next discussion.

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

If it was the same size it would have cost you more, the size of a normal paperback in the UK is called a B3, if the editon is the same size of the hardback but with paper covers it is a B2 or referred to as a trade paperback in the UK.

hope that answers your question.

 

[joemcf]

Thanks very much. Just i was a bit confused and was wondering if terry had added anything to the new paperback. A bit stupid but it was a moment of madness.

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

In the states some of the paperbacks are a smaller size still, done to the price of pulp.

 

[Tonyblack]

To make things more complicated, there's also 'trade-paper' size and now 'airport size' - which I think is basically a hardback with soft covers.

 

[Jane]

What is with Discworld books having a MASSIVE font that makes each book like 2 inches thick? If they made the font smaller, it'd be more convenient to carry around.

I think there are 3 kinds of book:

Hardcover - the one with the cardboard covers that the publishers release first in order to make the most profit.
Trade paperback/that floppy one - the high end paperback with the large pages, smooth white nonrecycled paper, and doesn't bend the spine when you open it halfway.
Massmarket paperback - the tiny 500 page, 2inch thick brick with grey-ish recycled paper that has a spine crease everytime you open it. It's the cheapest one.

 

[umberto]

I Have to say, I think hardbacks certainly look better. But hurt more when you nod off and they hit you on the head ventilator. So, for that reason i'm out.