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Chopping up books when they're physically too big

229 points · 211 comments · matt_kirkland

  1. philips · · focus · HN ↗
    This is exactly why I love e-books as an adult.

    As a kid I loved "pocket books"[1] because they didn't make my hand feel weak trying to hold them on a road trip and I could fit a few in my backpack.

    But, obviously, not every work was published in a pocket book format.

    [1]: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Pocket_Books" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Pocket_Books

    1. jrmg · · focus · HN ↗
      These are more generically known as ‘mass market paperbacks’ - and are sadly basically extinct:

      <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.yahoo.com&#x2F;lifestyle&#x2F;articles&#x2F;end-mass-market-paperbacks-070000923.html" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.yahoo.com&#x2F;lifestyle&#x2F;articles&#x2F;end-mass-market-pap...

      Last year, ReaderLink, the country&#x27;s largest distributor of books to airports, pharmacies and big-box stores, announced that it would no longer carry mass markets. The books can still be found in some places, but &quot;as a format, I would say it&#x27;s pretty much over,&quot; Ivan Held, the president of publishing imprints Putnam, Dutton and Berkley, said to the Times.

      I too mourn them - much more of a convenient size than the now ubiquitous ‘trade paperback’ - but we’re obviously in a small minority.

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