Flipback Books

[Will]

When I did my Content Planning presentation on eBooks, I mentioned how existing book formats had been altered to reflect technological changes via eReaders/mobile/pad devices.

One thing I touched upon then was the flipback book, a smaller format book in which the spine is held horizontally, and text printed parallel to this so that you can turn the pages with more ease. I think the size is as much a factor to the position of holding, but it's a very interesting development.

More information here (http://www.flipbackbooks.com/)

[Tom]

My thought is that the flip format may have advantages - but we are all to habituated to the normal format for it to catch on.

[Will]

Normally I might concur. But we're in a period of change, where it could be argued that people are more accepting of change in format of their reading content. If anything, the advent of the digital eReader might keep fresh those arguments for one-handed reading and smaller, convenient format. The only downside to the flipback as I currently see it is the nature of the paper - I didn't realise how thin it was (akin to mass produced Bibles and hymn books), and I wonder if that might be to its detriment in the longer term. I am going to order one and give it a spin, and shall update with my impressions then.