RIP: the paperback
-
RIP: the paperback
"‘We’re losing #accessibility’: America says goodbye to the mass-market #paperback
The so-called ‘pocket #book’ sold in supermarkets is being phased out across the US
They had that democratic aspect to them where you can just find them anywhere and it always felt like... there is something here for everyone, whether it’s the Harlequin romance novel or something very pulpy like a sci-fi or horror novel that you could quickly get”
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/feb/24/america-says-goodbye-paperback
-
RIP: the paperback
"‘We’re losing #accessibility’: America says goodbye to the mass-market #paperback
The so-called ‘pocket #book’ sold in supermarkets is being phased out across the US
They had that democratic aspect to them where you can just find them anywhere and it always felt like... there is something here for everyone, whether it’s the Harlequin romance novel or something very pulpy like a sci-fi or horror novel that you could quickly get”
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/feb/24/america-says-goodbye-paperback
@benroyce „i love the uneducated …“
Sigh … the US are really on a path to dark ages. -
RIP: the paperback
"‘We’re losing #accessibility’: America says goodbye to the mass-market #paperback
The so-called ‘pocket #book’ sold in supermarkets is being phased out across the US
They had that democratic aspect to them where you can just find them anywhere and it always felt like... there is something here for everyone, whether it’s the Harlequin romance novel or something very pulpy like a sci-fi or horror novel that you could quickly get”
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/feb/24/america-says-goodbye-paperback
@benroyce
In my family, we always called them "bus stop books". They were the compact books that fit in a purse or pocket, something to read while waiting for or riding the bus. My dad always had one with him to read aloud to us when we rode the bus downtown with him, so we all picked up the habit as kids.I wrote about Bus Stop Reading once on my book blog, with a paragraph specifically remembering some of my dad's favorite little pocket paperbacks.
https://mariasbooks.wordpress.com/bookish-odds-ends/bus-stop-reading/
-
@benroyce
In my family, we always called them "bus stop books". They were the compact books that fit in a purse or pocket, something to read while waiting for or riding the bus. My dad always had one with him to read aloud to us when we rode the bus downtown with him, so we all picked up the habit as kids.I wrote about Bus Stop Reading once on my book blog, with a paragraph specifically remembering some of my dad's favorite little pocket paperbacks.
https://mariasbooks.wordpress.com/bookish-odds-ends/bus-stop-reading/
Love mass market paperbacks because I can actually fit one in my pocket if I rearrange my phone, keys and wallet but since I started using an ebook reader that can be used one handed I haven't gone back.
The convenience of being able to easily read on the subway while standing and holding a pole without having to let go or do weird movements to turn a page can't be beat
-
RIP: the paperback
"‘We’re losing #accessibility’: America says goodbye to the mass-market #paperback
The so-called ‘pocket #book’ sold in supermarkets is being phased out across the US
They had that democratic aspect to them where you can just find them anywhere and it always felt like... there is something here for everyone, whether it’s the Harlequin romance novel or something very pulpy like a sci-fi or horror novel that you could quickly get”
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/feb/24/america-says-goodbye-paperback
@benroyce Well, that's sad.
-
@benroyce Well, that's sad.
-
@benroyce
Yeah. I still enjoy old school reading and turning a page. I have also used an e-reader for years. Don't especially like audio books, though. -
@benroyce
Yeah. I still enjoy old school reading and turning a page. I have also used an e-reader for years. Don't especially like audio books, though.those are good for long car trips, not much more
-
those are good for long car trips, not much more
@benroyce
I like how I read and comprehend. Also, my emphasis may be different from an audio reader. -
those are good for long car trips, not much more
And I don't own a car, so when would I find time to listen to them?
Still, different tastes for different people, and all that.
-
R relay@relay.an.exchange shared this topic on
