 |
|
| Olive Paperbacks display at Rediscovered Books, Boise, Idaho | |
"We're OBSESSED with the new $10 Olive Editions," tweeted Rediscovered Books (@RDBooks) in Boise, Idaho.
What inspired such a passionate comment are the Olive Editions, small-format, low-priced books similar to ones published by the Perennial Library when it launched in 1964. The eight classic and contemporary titles featured in the new line "offer a broad representation of the books we've published over the past 50 years," said Amy Baker, associate publisher, Harper Perennial and Harper paperbacks.
All of the Olive Editions are bestselling backlist staples: Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter, The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, Native Son by Richard Wright and Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry.
Featuring eight books is an homage to the original list, which had the same number, and, in addition, was a decision made with visual impact in mind. "Each edition alone is attractive, but seeing these in a complete set is stunning," Baker said. "By publishing eight at once we hoped to send a clear 'collect them all' message."
Cover illustrations and type are hand drawn by art director Milan Bozic, who also selects the color schemes. "The idea is to illustrate the most basic component of each book in the simplest drawing style possible," he noted. "They're purposefully 'rough' to make them quickly relatable to the reader and also to make the series easily cohesive."
Harper Perennial first published Olive Editions in 2008, releasing a three-book set annually for four years. Traditionally it has been a limited-run series, and the same is true for the anniversary-year re-launch. Said Baker: "Get 'em while you can!"