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

by Debbie Berne

Seasoned designer Debbie Berne presents an accessible introduction to book design for authors, editors, and other book people.
 
Design is central to the appeal, messaging, and usefulness of books, but to most readers, it’s mysterious or even invisible. Through interiors as well as covers, designers provide structure and information that shape the meaning and experience of books. In The Design of Books , Debbie Berne shines a light on the conventions and processes of her profession, revealing both the aesthetic and market-driven decisions designers consider to make books readable and beautiful. In clear, unstuffy language, Berne reveals how books are put together, with discussions of production considerations, typography and fonts, page layouts, use of images and color, special issues for ebooks, and the very face of each the cover.  
 
The Design of Books speaks to readers and directly to books’ creators—authors, editors, and other publishing professionals—helping them to become more informed partners in the design of their projects. Berne lays out the practical steps at each stage of the design process, providing insight into who does what when and offering advice for authors on how to be effective advocates for their ideas while also letting go and trusting their manuscripts with teams of professionals. She includes guidance as well for self-publishing authors, including where to find a designer, what to expect from that relationship, and how to art direct your own book.
 
Throughout, Berne teaches how understanding the whats, hows, and whys of book design heightens our appreciation of these cherished objects and helps everyone involved in the process to create more functional, desirable, and wonderful books.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Books About Books, Writing, Art, Literature, Research

256 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2024

Reviews

[Rachel B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I notice book designs, and I'm easily frustrated by poor ones, wondering what on earth the publishers were thinking. So, that's what drew me to this book. After reading it, I am even more convinced that I know what I'm talking about and will continue to judge, lol…

This covers everything from the obvious (cover design) to the interior fonts used and more. I was surprised at how much I already knew, but there was still a lot here to learn; it's a very thorough book. It's actually a little long. The author frequently used many examples to illustrate her point when just one or two would have sufficed.

I was turned off by the author's attitude toward authors who want to have more control over their cover designs. She actively discourages self-publishing authors from designing their own covers without ever distinguishing between people with an eye for design and those without… she just assumes that all authors are lacking in that area. And, while I get that it's annoying to be micromanaged, she spent too much time griping about how authors make her life as a designer difficult.

Overall, a good resource - especially for those self-publishing authors considering designing their books themselves, so they know exactly what they're getting themselves into!

I received access to this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Anisha Inkspill · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Katell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being both a book lover and a designer (branding) this book was absolutely fascinating to me. It was the perfect mix of thoroughly informative, highly technically yet very digestible, deeply inspiring to see the behind the scenes of this commercial but also creative world of book designing. I recommend this to anyone either interested in the industry of book design or anyone even slightly curious about the making of books. Very well done! It certainly made me feel better about so often buying books based on its cover — a lot goes into designing those!

My only critique would be towards the illustrations. Color is such a big part of design and picking a book off the shelves, I would have wanted the illustrated, at least the actual book ones, to have been in color. A little wish in a lot of goodness though.

[Ashley Holstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this! full review to come.

[Milly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gets a stamp of approval from me, a book designer (and my coworkers) !

[lizzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Maude · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Janice De Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this for our editors’ book club discussion and I highly recommend this book for book editors to better guide their clients as well as for writers looking to publish their books.

[Claire Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who both one day wants to publish and book and finds myself doing more and more design in my 9-5, I found this book both interesting and useful.

[Lisa Weldy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publishing date: 3/12/24
Rating: 4 stars

This book is very detailed in regards to book design, from the cover and spine, down to the nitty-gritty decisions that make up a book's interior. I definitely learned a lot and really had no idea how involved the book design process actually is.

I think I would've enjoyed this more had it been the final version, as the ARC was sometimes formatted strangely on my e-reader and phone.

The author definitely knows her topic, and she presents the information in a relatable tone. As someone who is not in the art design industry, some of the info was a bit too technical, so I just skimmed those parts. I'd recommend this to readers who have a serious interest in the book design process, and those who are already book designers.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital ARC of this book. All opinions are mine alone.

[Readersaurus · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many delicious details for folks who like to learn about books. This is a side of the publishing world I previously knew very little about. Berne manages to make this entertaining and accessible.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before checking out out Debbie Berne’s online portfolio upon finishing an enthralling read-through of her book, I had no idea I’ve got at least one book she designed on my bookshelves. (I do: it’s Story Genius.) Berne has been designing books for two decades, and in The Design of Books, unsurprisingly, she reveals all it takes to build and design a book from the ground up.

In this monograph, the author opens with a brief history and description of the key elements of The Physical Book (Chapter One) and proceeds through explanations around Type (Chapter Two), Cover (Chapter Three), a book’s interior (Chapter Four), a dive into the challenges and intricacies of designing illustrated books (Chapter Five), a brief look at how ebooks differ from printed books (Chapter Six), and workflow (Chapter Eight), among other topics. This reader got the sense that, among these, the weakest chapter is most certainly that covering electronic books, though even Berne’s weakest work is going to be something no one ought to pass over lightly; in that chapter, as in the others, authors and publishers will find crucial distinctions—as in that which exists between the reflowable and fixed layout varieties (156). The most jam-packed and useful chapter was that covering the cover (no surprise there, I think).

Having recently self-published a book (Max in the Capital of Spies, March 2024), I dove into this book on design with some trepidation and with a wound-ready heart, hoping not to take anything too personally. Throughout, Berne counsels heeding the advice of the expert designer (for interior and exterior elements), and she warns the self-pubbing writer might fare poorly without hiring such an expert.

But the work isn’t all moralizing about what not to do without professional advice about what we ought to do: I learned a lot (aside: what type should I use for emphasis here?) about books and the design of books.

Given my foray not only into publishing my own book but starting my own press, I’m walking away from The Design of Books with more confidence in my background knowledge and ability to converse with designers about what I want in a way that I expect will be helpful and clear for folks used to having a certain kind of conversation—”This palette feels too quiet, can you make it pop more?” rather than “Boy, I hate that green, use purple instead” (190). And yes, I realized that I had missed the distinction between the half-title page and the title page in my own book’s front matter. When I revise for a second major printing, I’ll be changing this—and quite a lot else, I think—thanks to Berne’s advice. And when I dive into this process for my forthcoming traditionally published book, Jimmy vs. Communism, I know how to have useful conversations with the design team at Gibbs Smith press.

So I didn’t take it personally, and you shouldn’t either. Writers (self-publishing or traditionally published), read this book with care. I have a feeling I’ll be keeping it close at hand as I redesign Max… as well as design for Whisper House Press’s inaugural anthology and future projects. And if you’re a curious book nerd, this book is probably worth your time as well.

Title: The Design of Books: An Explainer for Authors, Editors, Agents, and Other Curious Readers
Author: Debbie Berne
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
Release: Spring 2024
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My website-hosted review: https://stevecaponejrauthor.com/2024/...

[Anne Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you're an author or just someone who loves books, at some point you've probably wondered about what goes into designing a book's cover. But how many of us think about the rest of the book?

Somethings might seem obvious once you start thinking about them: cookbooks or picture books need extra work on the interior pages to make things look good. Otherwise, how hard can it be? There can't be that many decisions to make, right?

Professional book designer Debbie Berne wrote The Design of Books to show readers, writers, editors, and anyone else interested in designing books what's involved in the process. She wanted to bridge the knowledge gap between her world and everyone else. And she does an amazing job. She shows the reader the myriad design decisions every book has to go through: both outside and inside. From colors and images to fonts and spacing, how the type of paper that gets chosen can effect the reading experience, how the number of pages automatically makes other choices happen. Little illustrations throughout the book teach us design jargon for page numbers, spaces, headers, footers, etc. in charming ways. Ebooks get their own chapter and I was amazed at the thought that has to go into things I would never have imagined– and how designers have to take into account things that aren't in their control!

One of the must-read chapters is the last chapter "The Design Process", where Berne walks us through the design process a manuscript takes from author to finsihed product in both the traditional and self/hybrid publishing worlds. If you're considering publishing a book, I can't stress how much you need to read this to get a feel for the decisions that get made, when they get made, why they get made, and when (or if) you as an author get to have a say in that process. And the sort of feedback that works best for the designer you're working with. It's the kind of education we all need, and probably most of us only find out we need it after we're completely lost and confused in the middle of publishing something.

Berne uses her own experiences and a sense of humor to make what could have been a very dry textbook something fun, readable, and memorable. The Design of Books is a must-read for those curious about how books are designed and those considering publishing a book themselves. Go into the process with a baseline knowledge of how your manuscript will become a book and how you can impact that design!

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jason Wrench · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

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

[Brandon Westlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not an author (yet) but as a bibliophile found this book to be fascinating. It covers all aspects of publishing and design that I have always wondered about, and gave me insight into an industry that I think seldom receives its fair dues. Everything the physical nature of a book, to the type, to Ebooks are covered. It's detailed enough that you'll walk away feeling like you've learned a lot, but not too in-depth that you lose interest in reading.

There were a lot of sections that really grabbed my attention, but the one that stood out to me the most was the one on type and font. Reading so much makes me hyperaware of the type that is being used in a book, and certainly can sometimes make or break whether I'll stick with it. Berne discusses all of that and more.

I was fully ready to read about how Ebooks were destroying the book business, and to read a bashing of their inception and endurance. Berne, though, makes a good case about how its a new form of developing and publishing a book, not replacing the old ways. She makes a good point as to how ebooks make reading more environmentally sustainable and lasting. However, with proprietary DRMs, I can't help but wonder: what happens if Amazon were to go away? Are all of my (few) Kindle books lost forever? I think this discussion would be important to elaborate some more on.

Nevertheless, anyone who loves to read, or is fascinated by books should place to read The Design of Books. I have never encountered a book like it, and for that fact alone, it is worth a perusal. This book, if anything, will help the read gain a deeper appreciation for a book.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re the sort of person who says they love books, but means way more than ‘just’ reading them, then this is for you. This is about books as an object, a ‘thing’. It’s about more than the words on the page, although those are included as well. The book explains everything that goes into the design and creation of the pile of paper you eventually hold in your hand - it is accessible and it is fascinating.

Ms Berne tells us the technical name for every part of a book, whether hardback or paperback, why design is different with an ebook, how and why different fonts are created, the difference between font and typeface, and how a beautifully tactile book is created.

There’s a lot about design as a skill, an art, about how designers liaise with other creatives including the authors. She writes how people become attached to typefaces. Massimo Vignelli, who designed the New York City subway map, said only six typefaces were sufficient for any need. And in case you were wondering, that’s Bodoni, Garamond (my personal favourite), Century Expanded, Futura, Times New Roman, and Helvetica. That’s good enough for me as I’m bored with Ariel.

Amazing that in the first fifty years after Gutenberg ‘invented’ the printing press, some 12 million books were printed in Europe. That seems a huge number until you consider how many are printed now.

Ms Berne is an excellent writer. This is funny, full of information and anecdotes, and never dry. Recommended if your love for books includes a love of handling the physical object. This would make a great gift for any bibliophile.

I was given a copy of the book by NetGalley

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by a book designer is a broad overview of the things that go into designing a book - that is, the physical object (and also the digital object, as there is a chapter on ebooks).

The book itself, as you would expect, is a beautiful object that's nice to page through, and the author provides endnotes detailing the fonts she used.

Chapters cover font selection, page layout, cover design, binding, color, paper, and the different considerations for fiction and non-fiction books, illustrated books, children's books, ebooks, even audiobook covers. There are also some chapters about the publisher's role, how authors interact (or should interact) with designers, and for self-published authors, how to hire a designer.

I liked this book, but having read several previous books on this topic, it didn't add much information. I already know about fonts, headers, margins, rivers, orphans, widows, bleed, CMYK and RGB, etc. This would be a good starting point for a self-published author, especially one who has intentions of trying the DIY route.

As someone who has built up a modest set of skills in book design (I can use Sigil and Calibre to make ebooks that are better than some I have seen professionally published, and I have learned to use Affinity Publisher to make book layouts that are definitely better than what I see from a lot of self-publishers and small presses), I was hoping for something more than a 101-level introduction. This is pretty much Book Design 101, so it's useful but it doesn't actually teach you any skills or techniques.

[Bahar · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

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. ;)

[Tyler G. Warne · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[trop_de_livres · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

Thanks NetGalley and University of Chicago Press for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Stefy B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

By being a reader, you get to be familiar with some parts of books more than others. Who doesn’t know where the cover or the spine are? But this book opened my eyes to the other thousand things designers think about when formatting a book. Literally things I have never thought about.

“How can we expect readers to appreciate design and topography if we don’t tell them anything about it?”

I liked this quote because it was exactly what I was thinking while reading this book. There is so much information here that one might think is standar in the production of physical books and understanding that each book gets special treatment going through every single detail to make it as approachable and enjoyable as possible for readers is very eye opening. This even made me realize that I have seen many things that are mentioned in the book that I have never paid any attention to while reading and how much they help to the flow of the story. So it really made me appreciate the visual language of books in a bright new way.

I love when I find books about subjects I know nothing about but are very easy to follow and understand. This one was certainly one of them.

[Zara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have worked in publishing for over 15 years as a proofreader and a typesetter. However, now I am working to build my freelance work and business, I decided to do a bit of background reading. Every day is a school day; there is always something to learn!

The Design of Books is a guide aimed at authors, editors, agents, and other curious readers. Author Debbie Berne is a book designer who has designed hundreds of books and book covers.

Berne provides a comprehensive guide about her profession, and provides detailed insights into the various components of book design, including interior and cover design, emphasising the significance of layout and font selection in enhancing readability and accessibility.

Accompanied by illustrative examples and a helpful list of resources, The Design of Books is a must-have reference for those working in publishing.

I am not usually one for highlighting or writing in books, but I have covered this book in highlights. It is now living on my desk, and I know I will go back to it regularly.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super helpful and comprehensive guide to book design! I thought the content was very digestible and insightful for both beginners and experts in book design. I loved that it not only gave design tips, but it also walks through the process behind each step of the book design process and how it impacts the industry. The behind the scenes knowledge was super helpful and the design tips are legitimately very useful.

Also as a self-published author who designs her own covers, I still agree with the author's sentiment that self-published authors should be more knowledgeable about art direction and hire a designer when possible. I have a background and education in digital design, but not every self-published author does. Since the author is just very, very passionate about good book cover design, it makes sense that she would advocate for hiring a professional rather than doing your best with auto-cover generation software. But this is a great book in the meantime to guide that knowledge and build those skills!

[Rebecca Fung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book fascinating. My main gripe would be I don't really find the cover of this book that eye-catching despite the shocking orange. It's not a bad cover, it just isn't outstanding. In general, a cover that doesn't knock it out of the park for me wouldn't get a comment from me but in a book about design including cover design ... oh well.

Anyway, this book was a fantastic tour of book design. As some have mentioned, the author really knows her stuff. She also obviously has a bias towards people having a dedicated designer for their covers and interior but then of course this is in her interest (it's not that much different from so many people I know who state that self-publishers absolutely have to have separate editors).

In actual fact there are some people who can do it themselves. However there are many who need assistance and there are plenty who think they can do it themselves just as well as a professional partly because of over-confidence in their skills and partly because they really hope they can - a designer/illustrator/editor is so expensive - but they clearly cannot.

However, that aside, the book is great for setting out so clearly the different parts of design and the considerations in designing a cover and interior, and separating different types of books - paperbacks, hardbacks, those with dustjackets, etc.

Naturally depending on genre/type of book, a person may find there could be even more considerations but this was a great book for looking at books in general. I found it informative and clear, as well as highly interesting.

Also, the lovely, heavy paper made it a very pleasant reading experience.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivered on the promise made on the cover, it's written so that non-designers can understand how a manuscript becomes a book. It covers everything from the basic technical bits, the design of book covers, to the vetting and hiring of various professionals including some sample contracts. The author brings up many issues that showcase her extensive experience in the field.

I think self-publishers will find it especially useful, there's enough information present that you can design your own book while giving you the understanding that a professional can create a superior design. I've been graphics art adjacent for fifty years and I've never seen this process explained so succinctly.

Also has a list of useful resources, footnotes and an extensive bibliography, which includes books I own on the topic. Written by an expert, I highly recommend it.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stated audience for "The Design of Books" is anyone involved in the business of writing books, or self-publishing their own works, or mediates between authors and printers, like agents or editors, but I'm none of those and still found the book to be delightful. Debbie Berne is a book designer with hundreds of books to her credit, and she writes with the voice of experience: here's what works, here's why a designer makes the choices they do, here's what you should avoid. Her explanation of book terminology alone makes it worth reading - who knew the paragraph symbol was called a "pilcrow"? Highly recommended to enthusiastic readers as a book to skim, if only for the delightful parts.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Steve Boyko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating look at how books are designed. We don’t think much of books other than their content, but the author takes you behind the scenes to show the hundreds of decisions and tweaks to make a book readable and comfortable. I had heard of gutters and margins and some of the other terminology, but Berne explains why these all matter and how designers work with the physical properties of books (and virtual properties of eBooks) to deliver a beautiful and usable book. I highly recommend this for any author. Thank you to the publisher for sending me an advance copy.