what is mass market paperback

A mass market paperback is a small, usually non-illustrated, and inexpensive bookbinding format. It is typically smaller in size, with the standard dimensions being around 4 inches wide by 7 inches tall. The pages are made of lower-quality paper, and the books are often released after the hardcover edition. They are commonly sold in non-traditional locations such as airports, drugstores, newsstands, and grocery stores. Mass market paperbacks are printed for large audiences cheaply, making them more widely distributed and easier to find. They are popular for genres such as classics, romance, mystery, suspense, and thrillers, and are meant to be purchased on impulse and to be more widely available to the general public