Favourite Paperback Fonts

[Gonk the Insane]

I'm getting towards the point of deciding on a font for paperback publication, and while I've done some research into this I'm curious about which fonts others have used for their paperback editions.

I was planning on using Garamond, which seems a popular choice. However, on looking at mocked-up files, italicised text appears (to me at least) difficult to read; the font looks fine normally, but I don't like the look of the italics (which is a problem as I do have some italicised passages).

I then looked at Book Antiqua, and I thought that looked very clear in both standard and italics. The only downside, as far as I can tell, is that the font doesn't appear to have curled quotation marks (single or double) - it only has the straight quotes, which is a tad irritating (though I'm not sure whether that's a genuine problem or just me being fussy - anyone got any thoughts?).

So, I wondered what others found on their travels, and if there were any that you folks particularly liked?

I hadn't found much on fonts in the forum, though this thread does cover it in passing: Self-publishing: Paperback font, font size, and format

 

[Nate Hoffelder]

comic sans.

 

[Cathbad]

The best font is still Times New Roman. Although Courier isn't bad.

Some book fonts are hard to read - especially among those who have ones made up especially for their books (though I haven't seen this in a while).

 

[HareBrain]

I like Caslon (I assume it's the Adobe version) which TGP is set in. If that's not available, I agree TNR is a good option.

As claimed in that thread you initially linked to, sans-serif fonts might be more tiring on readers' eyes.

 

[apocalypsegal]

Caslon, Trajan Pro, Garamond, Georgia, Minion Pro, Palatino Linotype. All fonts I've seen others use. I don't care for TNR or Courier for print books, but others like them. Another good place to discuss this is on the Create Space forum.

 

[Cathbad]

I've had problems with Garamond on Create Space. It came out quite different.

 

[apocalypsegal]

I've had problems with Garamond on Create Space. It came out quite different.

Interesting. I haven't heard about any problems before, but then I haven't been keeping up as stringently as I was. But hey, at least you can scratch one potential font off the list! lol

 

[hopewrites]

I like the one most publishers were using in the 90's. Don't have the foggiest what it's called.

 

[Steve S]

I use Garamond (point 11) for paperbacks and that seems to work well - a nice, clean font.

 

[HanaBi]

I really like Calibri over most other fonts.

Times New Roman, seems to be the standard, but it is so flat and meh; I have to admit to warming to Garamond - looks very distinguished yet clear and easy on the eye.

 

[Tim Murray]

In the final push for my first book, it was highly recommended that a clean serif font be used for science fiction books. That is what I went with in the end.