The Design of Books

A brilliant book on all the design that goes into the books we own and love. Everything from size, to font, to cover, to the famous debate of Paperback vs Hardcover. Authors will especially appreciate this book, as it breaks down the process their future book is soon to follow. If you ever thought of publishing a book, going into book design, or are simply curious about the behind the scenes of book making, this one's for you!

Thank you to Netgalley and University of Chicago Press for this ARC.

Engaging and accessible - this will please the nerdiest of bibliophiles. A recommended purchase for collections where writing craft and trade books are popular.

The Design of Books by Debbie Berne is the kids of book best appreciated by authors, bibliophiles, and anyone who aspires to be an author. It was so interesting, and felt like getting a behind-the-scenes tour to a favorite museum. Highly recommend!!!

An excellent explanation of how books look, the process to design them, and what goes into that process. It's helpful for any writer whether self-published or not. I learned so much from this book.

Clear and concise, like the best book design. This book is a must-have reference for anyone who says "I love books" and means it literally -- not just for the stories they contain, but for the elegance in their enduring design.

This book should be put into the hands of everyone working in the publishing industry. I am just a “Curious Reader” (as the subtitle puts it) so I read this purely out of personal interest and I have no ambitions to be a writer, but I can’t imagine that any writer would not benefit greatly from owning this book.

Debbie Berne goes through all the details you need to know regarding book design, from the history of typeface to the modern design process (including helpful illustrations). There is so much valuable and fascinating information in this book that I would stop reading to tell people about what I found out because I was amazed by what I didn’t know. These are the nitty gritty facts about every facet of publishing a book that I could think of. And more.

Berne’s writing is so conversational and pleasant to read that you feel you have a mentor sitting beside you showing you the ropes.

I will never look at a book the same way again! Highly recommended to bibliophiles and everyone in the publishing industry.

As an author and bibliophile, I really enjoyed this book! I love that it's broken into sections discussing each element of how a book is designed, from the cover to considering how a book looks on the shelf vs on a website. I love better understanding what's going on "behind the scenes"! Highly recommend. Would make a great gift for the book lover in your life!

I've always loved books and this is the ultimate book about how physical books are made. When I was a rare books cataloger, we had to keep track of the physical details of every book to account for difference, and I think catalogers should read this before getting started.
This book is still great if you just love books, though. There are detailed explanations of things like binding, font, and the history of printing, but nothing long, drawn out, or boring.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

I loved The Design of Books! I had no idea the level of depth that goes into finishing/designing a novel but it was fun to read and learn more about it. I enjoyed that this was part how-to and part educational.

The perfect book for any book lover or for anyone who wants to know more about the process of making books. I really enjoyed reading this and learning more about how books are designed and developed.

Like the title suggests, Debbie Berne’s THE DESIGN OF BOOKS is indeed a comprehensive guide to book design. Berne goes touches on every detail, inside and out, in a very understandable way. If you are a book nerd who wants to know the little nitty gritty details of a book’s behind the scenes, this book will absolutely entertain you. If you are in the publishing industry at all—traditional or independent—this book will absolutely help you create the book you want.

Amazing book. I enjoyed the writing quite a bit. The style flowed well. It was a compelling book and I look forward to reading more from the author.

This is a must-read for authors, book designers, and publishers.
Berne's advice is based on decades of experience.
Her wisdom and insight is superb.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: March 12, 2024

This book design guide is comprehensively helpful if you are an author or potential author, work for a publisher or are looking to get into book design. This may also be a fascinating read for those who love books and want more information about how they’re made!

It’s a good book for someone beginning or interested in designing books. It definitely covers everything involved in the process.

This was super interesting! I realized while reading this book that I really didn't know much about the book industry, and how a hardcover or a paperback is produced. I really loved the opportunity to learn more!

As an avid reader and book devourer, I found "The Design of Books: An Explainer for Authors, Editors, Agents, and Other Curious Readers" by Debbie Berne to be absolutely fascinating. Throughout my academic journey in literature, I often lamented the absence of courses on the vital role of book design in shaping reader experiences and influencing sales. Berne's comprehensive exploration of the "anatomy of a book" — delving into everything from size and binding to typography — satisfied my curiosity and shed light on an industry that deserves greater recognition.

From dimensions and binding techniques to the nuances of typography, Berne leaves no stone unturned, providing a comprehensive understanding of the publishing and design process. Reading this book felt like immersing myself in a rich documentary, with each page offering valuable revelations. My copy is now adorned with countless highlights, a testament to the wealth of knowledge it imparts.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. "The Design of Books" has forever altered my perspective on the books that grace my shelves, and I am certain it will resonate with anyone intrigued by the artistry behind the printed word.

Thanks to Netgalley and University of Chicago Press for letting me share my honest opinions of this eBook.

Give me anything to do with books and I’m in cloud heaven; books about books are one of my many favourite reads.

Though from chapter to chapter I wasn’t always clear who this book was for, Debbie Berne explains in the postscript that there isn’t a book like this for authors and editors to show the relevance of a designer.

In seven chapters and an appendix, Debbie Berne also describes the input designers make towards the finish design of a book. Each chapter is easy to follow and shows an element in book design or the differences between eBooks and physical books. The last chapter includes the design process from a manuscript to a finished product.

With its reference feel, I would call this a fascinating read rather than an enjoyable one, but I like how I now have more appreciation of what’s involved to produce a book.

The Design of Books offers a relaxed, casual approach to understanding how to put a book together. Debbie Berne, an expert book designer, helps authors and editors walk through the steps of a stressful task. Book designs are not for authors. I tried to design my first attempt at publishing though it has been flopped out. Book designing is a serious thing. No writer or editor can really succeed without the expertise of a designer who has the skill and patience. Burn gives evidence of other designs concerning covers, fonts, typesetting, and layout. The Design of Books includes all formats of books, such as print, ebooks, illustrated, self-published, and all genres.
This is a must-read for any author who is trying to succeed. It is true that self-published authors can become mad in the design phase and put their books out there without a designer. But it is a humiliation. Debbie Berne is a trustworthy source to reference. For an author and their editor to succeed, they need an acceptable design. She’s very kind in her approach; she offers more support than criticism.

Thank you, Net Galley and University of Chicago Press for this Advanced Reader’s Copy.

As both an academic author of academic books/textbooks and a hybrid published novelist, I have spent a great deal of my life writing books for a range of publishers. I love books. But, honestly, I hadn’t really spent too much time considering how my typed pages get turned into the final printed copy. Sure, I’ve done a little book formatting and layout, but I never thought about some of the larger issues discussed in Debbie Berne's <i>The Design of Books: An Explainer for Authors, Editors, Agents, and Other Curious Readers</i>.

I found Berne’s book to be an illuminating look behind the scenes of book creation. Berne brings over 20 years of design expertise to clearly and engagingly explain the myriad decisions that bring a manuscript to vibrant life as a polished book, whether in print or digital form.

Covering everything from typography, fonts, and page layouts to incorporating images and production considerations, Berne leaves no stone unturned in outlining the design process. Her grasp of both the aesthetic qualities and practical functionality that impact readability and reader experience is impressive. I particularly appreciated her tips for how authors can advocate for their vision while still trusting the professionals they hire. And as a history buff, I really enjoyed seeing how bookmaking has changed into the modern art that it is.

For anyone curious about the hidden craft behind the books we love, as well as advice for authors looking to self-publish or work with a design team, <i>The Design of Books: An Explainer for Authors, Editors, Agents, and Other Curious Readers</i> is a must-read. Berne's passion for her craft is evident, and her focus on heightened appreciation for books makes this explainer a joy and an education all in one.

I'm grateful to have received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.

I've been interested in learning how to bookbind, and the topic of the Design of Books seemed to be helpful to formatting one. I never really thought about the amount of time and thought that goes behind a book cover, and I feel like this an essential reference to any book lover - even if you don't have any prior experience to design. Highly Recommended!

Really everything you need to know about books, including its parts, production, design, and formats, with important practical advice to boot. While written specifically for authors and editors in mind, it would be an engrossing read for anyone mad about books or anyone in the book industry. Librarians too!

And if not satisfied after reading this, a list of resources and recommended reading at the back should fill your need.

Easy to read and not boring at all. 5 stars from me!

Ahhh, this book made me happy!

As an avid reader and copyeditor myself, I was naturally drawn to the topic--even more so lately, when quality book design has made me snap up a book solely because of its beauty ... or, well, poor design has done quite the opposite, making me want to cry a little over something that had so much potential (or that I entirely loved content-wise), yet fell flat purely on production. Aesthetics matter!

I recently finished up the University of Chicago's certificate program in editing, and this proved a great recap of many design elements I learned over the program's five courses. (I'm chuckling as I write this; come to find out, the book is part of a series put out by the University of Chicago Press. So there's that.)

Regardless of publisher, however--and hopefully the fact that it is UCP will help vet the read a bit--the book is still excellent, worthwhile for anyone involved in or curious about books.

Author, podcaster, and blogger Joanna Penn wrote in an editorial review that the book is "Invaluable for those who want to create beautiful books"; I'd say it's equally invaluable for those who want to read beautiful books. Or edit them. ;)

I've been reading books nearly all my life—a good many years. And I’ve been writing them for several years. But I still learned quite a bit from this book.

If you’re a book lover, you’ll delight in the behind-the-scenes look at what goes into book design. Perhaps you’ll simply love knowing words like dinkus (the decorative section break), spot image (an image without its background), and x-height (the height of the letter x in a font). And if you are an indie author, this will give you new insight into why you would hire a professional book designer,

From covers to binding to the layout of the words on interior pages, you’ll have a new appreciation of the design elements in the books you love.

A must-read for all nerdy book lovers! This book is insightful and interesting. If you've ever wanted a tell-all about book design... this is for you!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Design of Books: An Explainer for Authors, Editors, Agents, and Other Curious Readers by Debbie Berne

In the literary world where the adage “don’t judge a book by its cover” is often preached but seldom practiced, Debbie Berne’s “The Design of Books” emerges as a beacon of enlightenment. This book is not merely a guide; it is a celebration of the art that binds the pages we so lovingly leaf through.

Berne, with her seasoned experience as a designer, delves into the esoteric realm of book design with the finesse of a skilled artisan. She demystifies the process, making it accessible to not just the creators but also the consumers of literature. The book is a trove of knowledge, spanning the gamut from typography and layout to the nuances of e-books versus print.

What sets this book apart is its ability to speak to a diverse audience. Whether you are an author aspiring to understand the visual journey of your manuscript or an editor aiming to collaborate more effectively with designers, Berne’s insights are invaluable. Even the curious reader who has never ventured beyond the final page of a story will find a new appreciation for the vessel that carries the narrative.

Each chapter is meticulously crafted, much like the books Berne herself designs. The language is clear, unstuffy, and occasionally tinged with humor, making the technicalities of book design not just palatable but enjoyable. The inclusion of practical advice for self-publishing authors is a thoughtful touch, acknowledging the evolving landscape of publishing.

“The Design of Books” an advocate for beauty and functionality in literature. It implores us to see beyond the words and to understand that the design of a book is not just a shell but an integral part of the storytelling experience.

In conclusion, Debbie Berne’s work is a must-read for anyone involved in the creation, production, or consumption of books. It is a book about books that makes you fall in love with books all over again.