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Original poster

What are some beautiful paperbacks?

30 replies

AlpacaTheBags · 05/01/2022 19:39

I want to treat myself to some attractive paperback books, perhaps classics or modern classics but I'm open to anything. Due to disabilities paperbacks are more practical for me than hardbacks.

Are there any particular publishers or even individual books that you'd recommend? TIA

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elkiedee · 20/01/2022 06:22

Continued from previous post, which I posted rather than lose the content because my laptop was being stroppy

Eland specialises in travel writing reprints with a few related novels and memoirs

New York Review Books - US publisher but makes some of their books available here

In the UK trade paperbacks often just means large awkward books at hardback prices but poor quality, whereas US publishers use the term for a format which is the same size as, say, a Penguin Modern Classic but with nice paper, beautiful covers and production values. As well as NYRB, some Europa editions are available here, when the books aren't otherwise published/in print and copyright from another UK based publisher.

Canongate is a Scottish publisher but sometimes produces American style paperback originals with similar presentation values

elkiedee · 20/01/2022 06:11

I collect Persephones and Virago Modern Classics and have a couple of online groups discussing VMCs. There are several other publishers of beautiful paperbacks but I'm trying to resist actually "collecting" them for space reasons. I like the look of these books and I like editions which have introductions, often by other writers.

Already mentioned: Daunt and British Library editions - a series of crime classics and one of women's writing - one of my VMC friends is series editor for the women's writing, although he's a man but he's just an enthusiast for this type of fiction
Dean Street Press - the Furrowed Middlebrow imprint publishes lots of mid 20th century fiction by forgotten women writers

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 17/01/2022 23:02

Small Pleasures has a beautiful cover.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 17/01/2022 22:34

This thread is an absolute joy, I'm really enjoying seeing all the recommendations, great post OP

AgathaMystery · 17/01/2022 22:31

Heartburn by Nora Ephron - Virago Press

Sparkai · 17/01/2022 22:30

I also like Entangled Life by Melvin Shardlake if you like dramatic covers and non-fiction science/nature books

Sparkai · 17/01/2022 22:29

Little by Edward Carey is a gorgeous paperback book cover (and illustrations inside). And a good read too

soyabean · 17/01/2022 21:42

This is a fantastic book with a gorgeous cover

What are some beautiful paperbacks?
2022HereWeCome · 09/01/2022 14:26

I've just discovered the British Library publications - there's an undiscovered women writers section eg - shop.bl.uk/collections/british-library-fiction/products/tension
and great sci-fi

Also Alma books almabooks.com/product-category/american-classics/?imprint=2

I know you don't want hardbacks but I'm taken with the Chiltern classics www.chilternpublishing.co.uk/product-category/classics/ and the penguin paperbacks russian special edition shop.penguin.co.uk/products/vintage-classics-russian-series

IntermittentParps · 08/01/2022 18:08

Oh, I’m pleased! I hope you like it. I thought it was a joy.

BarbaraLoganPrice · 08/01/2022 09:36

I got a beautiful set of Kate Morton books (The Distant Hours, The House at Riverton, The Secret Keeper) with covers designed by Sophie Allport

JaninaDuszejko · 08/01/2022 09:10

The Fourth Estate matchbook classics are nice - I've included a photo. I read a lot of translated fiction and the small publishers do some lovely covers, I've got Three Aples fell from the Sky by Narine Abgaryan published by One World and it has a lovely cover complete with French flaps.

What are some beautiful paperbacks?
Foolsrule · 07/01/2022 22:00

This is very pretty and a good read!

What are some beautiful paperbacks?
StarlessSea123 · 07/01/2022 21:57

Some of the Russian classics e.g. Anna Karenina, War and Peace etc are in lovely paperbacks with a floral design on the covers, publisher is Vintage Classics.

Original poster
AlpacaTheBags · 07/01/2022 20:29

CheesePlantJungle

These two. Hopefully you can see the pic. I don't know anything about either of them, but I'm looking forward to reading them anyway and I'm very pleased to get them so cheaply.

What are some beautiful paperbacks?
OP posts:
Shangrilalala · 07/01/2022 20:26

This is fabulous - and was recommended to me on mumsnet years ago

www.virago.co.uk/titles/elizabeth-jenkins-7/the-tortoise-and-the-hare/9781844084944/

CheesePlantJungle · 07/01/2022 20:20

Ohh what were the charity shop finds OP?

User48751490 · 07/01/2022 19:51

Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

Original poster
AlpacaTheBags · 07/01/2022 19:49

I like the Daunt published paperbacks - I do like a French flap!

Me too. I'm a total sucker for a French flap. I almost always have to buy a book if it has them. The other day I was in a charity shop and bought two books with French flaps for 50p each. They're in near perfect condition too. That made my week.

OP posts:
Original poster
AlpacaTheBags · 07/01/2022 19:47

Thank you all so much. I'm very grateful for the recommendations. I'm going to treat myself to a few of each. I am interested in the contents too but having beautiful books on my shelves makes me happy, and sometimes I enjoy just looking at the covers.

IntermittentParps I should have mentioned that I'm interested in non fiction too so the seaweed book looks perfect, and very interesting as someone who loves eating the stuff.

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CheesePlantJungle · 07/01/2022 13:45

I like the Daunt published paperbacks - I do like a French flap!

IntermittentParps · 07/01/2022 13:34

This is a beautiful cover and has lovely illustrations inside too. And it's a lovely read.

pennyfeatherington · 05/01/2022 22:12

Agree that the current penguins are lovely and nicer in real life than online photos

www.waterstones.com/book/wuthering-heights/emily-bronte/9780141199085

Zebracat · 05/01/2022 20:46

Current penguins are gorgeous too. I have just read the Cost Of Living but Deborah Levy and it is a fabulous rich yellow orange colour. Gave me such joy. Bit more expensive are the clothbound penguins, they seem to really hold their value secondhand , so may be worth buying as an investment.

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