A Brief History of Paperback Books
Before the 1800s, books were predominantly bound in hardcover, which meant they were large, leather-bound, and heavy—making them expensive and inaccessible to many people. As a result, publishers started using hard cardboard covers, which made the books slightly lighter and more affordable.
On July 30, 1835, the Penguin Publishing Company in London, England, revolutionized the industry by publishing the first paperback books. These books were smaller, much lighter, and produced at a fraction of the cost of their hardcover counterparts. The affordability of paperback books made them a huge success among the general public. In the first year alone, Penguin produced 3 million paperback books.
Although a few publishers had attempted to print paperback books before 1835 without success, the American Robert Fair de Graff was the first to create the “Pocket Book” in 1939, published by Simon & Schuster. Measuring 4″ x 6″, these pocketbooks sold 1.5 million copies in the first year at just 25 cents each.
How to Celebrate Paperback Book Day
Celebrating Paperback Book Day is simple and enjoyable. Here are some suggestions:
- Put down your eBook and grab a paperback book.
- Find a cozy spot—on your patio, by the water, or in a hammock—and enjoy a lazy summer day reading.
- Visit a library or bookstore and browse through the paperback section.
- Donate books you’ve read to your local library.
- Buy a new paperback book.
- Gift a book to a friend.
- Join a book club.
Today’s Quote
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” – Joseph Addison
History and Origin of Paperback Book Day
The history of paperback books is well-documented, but the origins of Paperback Book Day are less clear. The day likely commemorates the first publication of paperback books by the Penguin Publishing Company on July 30, 1835. We traced the holiday back to 2012 and speculate that someone in the publishing industry, possibly Penguin, created this day.
Despite some websites referring to it as “National Paperback Book Day,” it is not an officially recognized national day by the U.S. Congress or the President. It’s important to distinguish true national days from those that are not officially proclaimed.
Enjoy Paperback Book Day by immersing yourself in the joy of reading and appreciating the evolution of this accessible and beloved format.