1robrambusch
Various SF paperbacks on my shelves are dying as I revisit them. I will need to replace them and have a mild aversion to e-readers. Even as we speak "Cross the Stars" by David Drake is falling apart as I read it. As you comprise a fairly wide cross-section of the literate public, I wondered if you could give me some pointers on judging the quality of books in general, sight unseen, based entirely on publicly available catalog information.
I recently bought a book which I'd describe as dark gray type on light gray paper with teensy print. I might have managed it in my eagle-eyed youth but now reading is a chore. Where in the universe might I have read something that warned me of this?
I recently bought a book which I'd describe as dark gray type on light gray paper with teensy print. I might have managed it in my eagle-eyed youth but now reading is a chore. Where in the universe might I have read something that warned me of this?
2MarthaJeanne
Cross the Stars
If it's just the cover falling off, I use a long strip og wide clear tape to stick it back on. Mass market paperbacks were never designed to live forever, and they don't.
As far as bad printing and/or design choices go, I think all you can do is add that info to your review. It does help to buy books in bookstores where you can view the pages before you buy. A couple of times I have ordered the hardback of a book where the typeface in the paperback was too small. Check the dimensions first. Now they are often the exact same set up, just sized differently.
If it's just the cover falling off, I use a long strip og wide clear tape to stick it back on. Mass market paperbacks were never designed to live forever, and they don't.
As far as bad printing and/or design choices go, I think all you can do is add that info to your review. It does help to buy books in bookstores where you can view the pages before you buy. A couple of times I have ordered the hardback of a book where the typeface in the paperback was too small. Check the dimensions first. Now they are often the exact same set up, just sized differently.
