March 01, 2005
Pork and Printing

Sometimes I think McSweeney's print version has a lot to answer for, design wise--like their lovable but quirky type treatments. Not that those designs aren't a marvel, but sometimes their influence* can have baffling results. In my local bookstore recently I caught sight of a book with a McSweeney's-esque spine and the curious yet eye-catching words:

A Life in Ham

Did I pick that book up? Of course, because a life in ham is the kind of life I want to read about.

Alas, on closer inspection the quirky type proved to read: A Life in Ham Radio, which is an entirely different thing. And not nearly as fun, if you ask me.

*Direct or indirect; I have no idea if "the McSweeney's look" was any influence on this particular book jacket or not.

Posted at March 01, 2005 07:00 PM