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Airport paperbacks - specifically Land by Maggie O'Farrell

10 replies

drspouse · 12/08/2026 22:19

How do you find out what's available as an airport paperback? Do they even sell these any more?

I want to get hold of Land by Maggie O'Farrell and I'd love to read it on holiday but I don't really want to take a hardback with me!

Has anyone noticed this type of book this summer?

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garlictwist · 12/08/2026 22:36

This is what Kindles are for! All the books you ever want for a few grams.

Notonthestairs · 12/08/2026 23:06

I bought the paperback of Land in Luton Airport so I’m pretty sure you’ll get in every other airport!

drspouse · 13/08/2026 08:59

garlictwist · 12/08/2026 22:36

This is what Kindles are for! All the books you ever want for a few grams.

I left my Kindle on the bus Sad

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Bjorkdidit · 14/08/2026 04:57

If something happened to my Kindle and I was going away, I'd replace it the same day, whatever the cost or if cost was an issue, I'd be getting a second hand one from eBay.

But to answer your question, I travel quite frequently and always use the airport waiting time to look at books. I don't know if it's the case at all UK airports, but I don't remember seeing so many airport editions recently. But if @Notonthestairs has bought it in an airport, it sounds like it should be available and if not, there's usually a good selection so hopefully you'd be able to find something else to buy - there seems to be a permanent buy one, get one half price offer, so a good excuse to get a couple.

But I'd still be replacing my Kindle and buying that version.

Doodledoggle · 14/08/2026 05:08

Hi op. No idea about your book but I call them 'medium backs' halfway between a hardback and a paperback.

Only for new releases in airports. My favourite thing about airports are the 2 for £20 medium backs!

FoxandDuck · 14/08/2026 05:08

I’m pretty sure it was at Gatwick a
couple of weeks ago. I remember being surprised as I hadn’t realised it was out yet and then clocking that it would be an airport edition

Sheeppig · 14/08/2026 20:35

I didn't know that there was such a thing as an airport edition! What a great idea. I hate having to wait for my favourite authors' books to be published in paperback.

carefullythere · Yesterday 14:43

I went on the ferry last week and realised for the first time that they have airport paperbacks (travel paperbacks?!) too. Land was one of them.

CheeryOchreCat · Yesterday 14:49

I noticed that Irish bookshops have the airport paperback of Land when I was last over. A bookseller I was chatting to said he couldn’t understand the UK wish/need for hardbacks; the airport paperbacks were much more popular in Ireland and you could only rarely find the hardback. I got a paperback copy of Yesteryear while there, rather than springing for the hardback in the UK.

So worth looking for an Irish bookseller online if you can’t find it in an actual airport or similar.

drspouse · Yesterday 22:47

@Bjorkdidit If I'm buying a new release and don't think I'll keep it, I'd rather get a slightly discounted physical copy and then get some money back (by selling it on).
For older books, I get them from eBay rather than Kindle unless I can get them through the library or a £1 Kindle or similar.

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