Comment by sleepy_keita
6 hours ago
This is done by default in Japan. Most long books are sold as different volumes, parts, etc. At first I didn't really like it (especially because you'd have to buy both Vol.1 and 2 for the whole thing), but it makes sense if you're going to be bringing books around with you.
Japanese manga is kinda interesting in that regard too - they're noticeably more diminutive than Western publications of the same manga, usually, and often on quite nice quality paper. They're usually paperbacks with dust jackets too, which you don't see too often over here in the UK. I have both Japanese and English copies of a few of the same manga and I do much prefer the feel of the Japanese ones, although as someone who bought them to learn the language (and failed, again) they can sometimes be quite challenging in terms of font size.
I've gotten really used to it too. I find myself reading more because I can carry most books in the side pocket of my shorts or whatever.