As I get older and my eyes lose the sharpness of youth, I appreciate large print books more and more. It's hard to believe that until about five years ago, I didn't know about large print books, and it hasn't been until 2022 that I started reading them. Before the pandemic, I'd noticed that there's a large print books section at my local public library, but the selection was limited, so I didn't browse there. It was only after a book I wanted was only available in large print that I checked one out, and what a game changer that has become.
Most of the books I read are still the regular variety rather than large print because it's easier to buy books in regular print, but when I go to the library nowadays, I head for the large print section first. There still isn't much of a selection, but I've been pleasantly surprised to find new releases in large print that aren't available in regular print. Perhaps most patrons aren't aware of large print books yet, and I'm happy for their ignorance to continue.
When I read a large print book at home, I can do so without my reading glasses, which is a welcomed blessing during early mornings or late nights when I don't want to wear my glasses. It's always jarring when I switch from a large print book to a regular print book because the font size of regular print books looks so small in comparison. The transition also reminds me that I need to put on my reading glasses.
I would read large print books primarily if there was a wider selection of them. I also wish there were special editions in large print. I've been buying more editions of books with special covers, stenciled edges, or other extra treatments, but I haven't seen any in large print. Hopefully, with the growing popularity of special edition books for book subscription services, someone will cater to the large print market too. When that happens, large print books will likely become my default book format.
