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The Book

By: vsdeepthi | Posted Sep 02, 2013 | General | 932 Views

What is the first thing you do when you buy a brand new book? Fresh from the print? Smell it? :-).

I tried my best to catch up with technology and read books online, on mobile, and all possible software's that try their best to give the same feel of reading a hardcover or a paperback . But could not get past even 10 pages. I love books - in their original form, as a hard copy. The sense of holding a book, turning those pages, folding them, all adds up to the experience of reading a book. Does not matter if it is a novel or a technical book. It has to be a printed hard copy. And if it is a hardcover, nothing like it! Just till few years back I used to maintain a diary, not a digital one but one in which I can write with my own hands, in my own handwriting. As if, someday when I read those words back, I can exactly feel those words and relive those moments.

And though I read each word of the book, including the cover, whats written on the front cover, back cover, acknowledgments, reviews ( with an exception of appendix though ) little did I pay attention to the book's cover or its design; may be I was too caught up with the saying - do not judge a book by its cover, till I watched this TED Talk - Designing Books Is No Laughing Matter by Chip Kidd. It is amazing to know how interesting his job is in designing book covers. All he gets from the author is a set of words or few sentences that gives the gist of the book and he has to design a book cover that summarizes the book.

I read this 900 pages book by a Japanese writer - IQ84, whose book cover is also designed by Kidd. The title of course caught my attention and I solely picked this book for its title. I had already decided that I would buy this book, and went on to read few reviews to convince myself of my decision. I did notice its cover and its design till I watched this talk. I had not even opened the book jacket till date, for I was not knowing the art or thought behind it. How can one design a book cover & jacket that explains a woman living in an alternate reality - two parallel worlds?

How much work goes into packing words? Packing a story? And giving the reader that unique experience of reading it? Well, would I look at the book cover the next time I buy a book? Hell yeah! Time to go through my collection and spend sometime with the book covers and their design, which I had ignored. Sure, there are certain things which can never be replaced, especially by technology.

PS: Designing Books Is No Laughing Matter is hilarious as well as insightful.

You loved this blog. Thank you for your rating.

jmathur

Sep 03, 2013 04:50 AM

I endorse your thoughts regarding printed books vis-a-vis e-books. This post is damn good and should be featured. Compliments Deepthi.

Jitendra Mathur
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lovesreading

Sep 05, 2013 08:15 AM

check it out..., the video of TED talk BTW, I am fond of classical music and right now, judging the book by its cover, a lady with a tanpura.... I have already started reading it, and my my it isn't bad at all!...Read More

lovesreading

Sep 05, 2013 08:17 AM

my hubby just bought a nice book asa gift for me online - inspirational women all over the world . It is an e-book, in my kindle. Unfortunately, the pages are yet to be turned in the gadget. Nothing feels better than the real pages of the book ( which i am reading currently)...Read More

vsdeepthi

Sep 05, 2013 10:48 AM

Will try to get my hands on the books you mentioned ;-). Thanks again!

cyrilsunil

Sep 07, 2013 10:59 AM

Congrats for the FB !!
I second my views on your thoughts.

With technology taking the space, the reading habbits is drowning. Joy of Reading a book in a hard copy cannot be the same through e-books.
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anshumanmaini

Sep 07, 2013 06:46 PM

Congrats for FB

nimisha23377

Sep 07, 2013 08:54 PM

wonderful post..

I am a book lover myself n books are my best friendz..
I totally agree with ur blog..only a book lover knows the joy of reading a actual book..
u know i never read online books..it jst doesnt give that pleasure..

keep writing..
cheers
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bebylon

Sep 08, 2013 12:39 AM

You seems to belong the Publishing world, that is why so much technical details of designing and illustration. I too like the print form of book and always read the bak cover first, it gives you at least an idea that what the book is all about.

And this ebook, kindle is just a hype.
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M_Biswas

Sep 08, 2013 01:52 AM (Updated Sep 08, 2013 01:54 AM)

I too used to think the same as yours when I maintained a diary (in own handwriting) long back. And It was like sharing everything with a best friend. But, time is short today, I seldom write in my diary.
For books: I always read the summary given on the book cover before buying it. And,... It is always a pleasure to smell pages of new book, since childhood.
Very nice post, deserving, clean, enriched with wonderful thought. Congrats @vsdeepthi..!!
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maaz_nawaz

Sep 08, 2013 11:00 AM

Congrats for the Featured Status :)

Best wishes to you & your family this Ganesh Chaturthi ! May you have delightful, successful and prosperous life ahead.
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vsdeepthi

Sep 10, 2013 06:17 PM

..for your wishes and compliments.

@bebylon - Nope am not from publishing industry, its just the curiosity that got better of me.

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