I had to run to the store on my lunch break today and I stopped by the books (of course) to see what they had. And I noticed there were these weird size books. The "new" size is more square looking. I found the same book in both sizes "old" and "new" and put them side by side to take a pic.
The size is more noticeable in width than height.
I showed a co-worker the pic. She asked if the inside print was different. I told her I didn't look (I was in a hurry and didn't think about that).
If you look at the top picture you can see there is a price difference.
The pictured book (Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos) is published by Avon. So I don't know if that publisher is changing sizes or if others are doing it too. There was about 6 different titles that was this size but I didn't think to look to see if they were published by Avon also.
I looked it up on Amazon and found this:
Publisher: William Morrow (2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061686182
ISBN-13: 978-0061686184
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
Mass Market Paperback: 496 pages
Publisher: Avon; Reprint edition (June 28, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062102508
ISBN-13: 978-0062102508
Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
Could it just be Mass Market vs. Paperback?
I've heard of Trade and Mass but I never really knew the difference.
What do you guys think or know about this?
The larger one is the Trade Paperback and smaller one is Mass Market Paperback. I found it out when trying to order a volume in the Outlander series. BN had two different paperbacks at two different prices. I just wanted one to match the one I already have size wise (which was mass market. I finally ordered based on which was closest in price to ones I already had).
ReplyDeleteI suspect the trade ones may have slightly nice paper for the pages, as long as they aren't trying to cram a novel the size of Pillars of the Earth into it.
Cool Thanks. It's the 1st time I've seen the larger size in a store and was a little confused. ;)
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI saw a couple of these the last time I was at Wal-Mart too. I have no idea what they are - they aren't exactly Trade paperback size - they aren't big enough - but as the picture shows, they are clearly bigger than the mass market.
Also, they cost more. I have no idea what the publishers are doing adding another book size. I wonder if they are going to slowly faze out one of the other sizes? If it's the trade size, then I'm okay with that - most of those are $15 or so...if it's the mass market, well there goes my book buying spree's. You spend more money on less books.
I'm on the outs with Wal-Mart in general about the book section right now. They've cut the space on the Romance section at my store - and not one of them on the shelf was a paranormal - and only one urban fantasy.
I may have to break down and just ordering online like everyone else. LOL
M
I personally don't mind the Trade paperback size but preferably when it's a stand-alone book. I'm very OCD when it comes to my series and get ticked off when they don't match...which has happened with a few series that start off published as Mass Market paperbacks then switch to Hardcover copies...WTH??? It's funny how there is also a price difference in these two sizes you show.
ReplyDeleteI have received a few books this weird size, and each time it's a British author. Looking at the info you pulled up on Amazon, I wonder if it was released in the UK in 2008 and the US release in 2011?
ReplyDeleteJust a theory but I don't know what else to think :)
Hmmm...looking up the author info on goodreads she's from the US - I guess that blows my theory!
ReplyDeleteI am a bit of a snob about this...I don't really like mass market paperback all that much when there is a trade paperback alternative because it is so much 1)prettier 2)less awkward for me to hold when I'm reading. Also, when I'm standing in front of the mass markets in the stores, they just don't look as substantial as the trade paperbacks (they are longer and the print is even smaller-bothers my eyes). If I'm looking for books, I always prefer the trade paperbacks (particularly if it is a book I really want to keep and complete a collection). Again, this just may be my opinion and snobbiness, but I'm just being honest!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd those trade paperbacks are really beautiful, especially in the Outlander series or the Game of Thrones series...really long books that will take a little while to read. My hands are small and just do not like the feel of the MMpaperbacks. This is just my two cents worth. :)
~Asheley