I’m sure most people don’t walk through the bookstore and wonder how paperback, or soft cover, books came to be. But, because we at Friesens like to geek out to all things books, we do! Can you believe the first modern soft cover book was introduced less than 100 years ago? Let’s take a stroll through the history of the paperback book.
The Early Days
Before paperbacks, books were mostly hardcovers, bound in leather or cloth. They were sturdy, that’s for sure…but not exactly easy to carry around (no relaxing on a beach with a good book)! That’s why many libraries and private collections at the time were set up in a way to cater to the more “stationary” activity of reading. Hardcover books were often expensive and considered a luxury item, accessible mainly to the wealthy.
The Birth of the Paperback
The game-changer came in the 1930s. Penguin Books in the United Kingdom decided it was time to make reading more accessible and affordable. Penguin’s founder, Allen Lane, was inspired by the idea of creating high-quality, affordable books that could be sold in places like railway stations. They introduced the first modern paperbacks in 1935 (to note, Friesens got our first printing press in 1933). These new paperbacks were cheaper to produce and easier to carry, making literature available to the masses. The first ten titles in paperback format included works by Agatha Christie and Ernest Hemingway.
The Literary British Invasion
The paperback revolution quickly spread across the pond to North America. In the 1940s, Pocket Books in the US started publishing paperbacks, and they were a monstrous hit. Pocket Books’ first release was “The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck, and it sold millions of copies. This demonstrated the potential of paperbacks to reach a wide audience, including those who might not typically buy books.
The Golden Age
By the 1950s and 60s, paperback books were dominating the market. They were perfect for the post-war era, when people were on the move and looking for portable entertainment. The affordability and portability of paperbacks made them ideal for the growing number of commuters and travelers. Genres like romance, mystery and science fiction flourished. Publishers around the world capitalized on this, producing a wide range of titles catering to diverse tastes.
Paperbacks Today
Today, paperbacks are a staple in the book world. On average, about 65% of the books Friesens prints every year are soft cover books! Paperbacks of today come in a variety of formats, including trade paperbacks which are larger and often feature higher-quality paper and printing.
So why do we love paperback books? They’re lightweight, affordable, and easy to take with you wherever you go. They’re the perfect companion for any adventure! See some of our favourite past paperback projects here.
