Is it a Paperback?

[TonyBridger]

Last year I bought a biography as soon as it was published and was surprised to get an email this morning to tell me that it is shortly to come out as a paperback.

The reason I am surprised is because although the book I bought is the size of an average hardback it had soft covers. It seems the only difference between the two is the size and price as the story has not been cut or condensed.

So what was the book I bought called if it wasn't a paperbook. Does the size of the book make a difference to what its classed as

[bykimbo]

There are a number of terms that get used - softback and paperback are typically used for anything book-sized and bendy, trade paperback is also used, and MMPB (mass-market paperback) is the smaller, common size of PB one is most familiar with. MMPB is probably what's arriving now.

[TonyBridger]

Just seems a bit silly to me. I can understand bringing out a HB and PB but not two different paperbacks.

Not sure why they emailed me to tell me the cheaper MMPB is coming out when they already know I bought the dearer one from them.

[CarnoustieCats]

... after the hardback they often release a large paperback before the normal paperback - now it is an oversized paperback as well as the mass market one! Confusing or what! I have taken to listing the size (in old currency ie inches) of the book in my listings -

[deltadelta48]

... after the hardback they often release a large paperback before the normal paperback - now it is an oversized paperback as well as the mass market one! Confusing or what! I have taken to listing the size (in old currency ie inches) of the book in my listings -

Yes, in US we seem to be flooded with these bigger editions paperbacks, sort of fancy paperbacks. Often they are on the bookclub lists, etc. Good excuse to charge more I think.

[CrazyJay]

I like small books.

I read when I'm on the bus commuting to work, then put the book in my camera bag....(so where is this leading?) - Well, I've read most of the available George RR Martin books, and have one more to go, but the one I got was the hardback version - IT IS HUGE!!! - I mean proper huge. I open the drawer at work every now and then, have a look, then think I'll leave it for another day. When I start it, it'll be like lugging around a breeze block!

[deltadelta48]

I like small books.

I read when I'm on the bus commuting to work, then put the book in my camera bag....(so where is this leading?) - Well, I've read most of the available George RR Martin books, and have one more to go, but the one I got was the hardback version - IT IS HUGE!!! - I mean proper huge. I open the drawer at work every now and then, have a look, then think I'll leave it for another day. When I start it, it'll be like lugging around a breeze block!

I agree, not only expensive but just too heavy to carry away from home. The newer, bigger paperbacks are just as heavy, they increased the size by about 1/3 and their spines are really tight and hard to keep open. Can't they leave well enough alone?