Last week, I wrote a post titled, "TNIV Reference Bible: Thick or Thin?" In that post I pointed out that we did not know whether or not the upcoming TNIV Reference Bible would be a standard reference Bible or a thinline reference Bible. Personally, I did not want a thinline for a number of reasons, and I felt like most of you who are interested in this Bible felt the same way. I asked you for your opinions in the comments and you gave them.
And then we waited...
Well I've been given authority to tell you that around mid-day today, the powers-that-be at Zondervan made an official decision. They made the decision to change the paper in this Bible to a heavier weight--specifically one more suitable for writing notes! I'm drawing from two sources here, but one says that the paper is indeed heavier than what was originally planned, which was already heavier than the standard thinlines produced by Zondervan. My other source gave me some specifics: the TNIV Reference Bible will use a 39 GSM TerCoat Plus Paper stock. If you want to get a feel for this paper's thickness, go check out the Archaeological Study Bible (best-selling study Bible in the marketplace in 2006) which basically uses the same stock.
Of course, this is extremely good news! Here are a few of other little tidbits:
- Because of the change in paper stock, the list price goes up from $29.99 to $34.99.
- The thickness will be approximately 1.25 inches.
- The downside is that the change in paper means a delay in delivery. Rather than a September/October release date, realistically, we'll be looking more realistically at December.
I imagine that I speak for a lot of folks when I say the extra $5 is not a problem, nor is the extra wait. I believe most of us would rather wait a couple of extra months and get a quality Bible, all things considered.
Based on the specs we've already seen and the information about the paper weight revealed today, I can fully endorse the TNIV Reference Bible as THE edition for pastors, teachers, and other serious students of the Bible to use--at least until that wide-margin edition comes out one day :-)
I know that I'll look forward to using one of these Bibles myself for teaching and preaching.
*UPDATE: I just got further good news about this Bible from Zondervan. In addition to the thicker paper mentioned above, the TNIV Reference Bible will, in fact, feature a smyth-sewn binding!
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16 comments:
That's excellent news, Rick! I really hope that Zondervan feels like they made the right decision. The price and schedule changes don't bother me at all... it will make for a great Christmas present! Do you have any information as to whether it's going to be a glued binding or sewn?
Wow. Someone here has "pull"!
Congratulations.
Yes, EE, I just updated the post because I just found out that it does indeed have smyth-sewn binding. Good news all around today.
Anony, I would like to think it was a group effort :-)
Not being a note taker, the size didn't matter to me, but it is good news that it's coming out.
I own three TNIVs. One is an electronic edition for my Libronix.
One hard copy I have is the The TNIV Pocket Bible--Italian duotone imitation leather, scarlet/sand. This has no cross-references - which I think is the most important tool to have in a Bible. However, it's easy to carry around.
The other hardcopy I own is the TNIV Study Bible with a cashew/sienna cover. I bought it because I love cross-references and this has them. However, it's very bulky.
It's good to see Zondervan expanding production.
Brilliant news. Congratulations to Zondervan for having the courage to take such a decision that will affect price and publication date. Thank you! I don't mind about either. This is the best news about TNIV Bibles I've heard for a while. Roll on Christmas! Thick paper and smyth-sewn - I think it ticks all the boxes (apart from our long term hope for a true wide margin!)
Anony, I would like to think it was a group effort :-)
Does the group celebration, then, call for a group hug?
As the Good Book says, "Greet one another with a sacred hug."
:-)
That's the best news I've heard all day! Now I know I want it!
So here is my question:
Is it unethical to order at Amazon knowing that the price is going up (and thus Amazon's price of $19.79 represents a whopping 43% discount -- with free shipping if you have Amazon Prime or order with something else that is at least $6.)
Is that using insider information and thus unethical?
Hope I am not being too pushy...I would just add genuine leather (or calkskin, or even nice soft imitation) and then a wider margin (maybe leave off the references?).
Excellent News indeed! I already own a TNIV study Bible but this news about the Reference Bible puts it on my list of must purchases. Thanks to Rick and others who may have motivated Zondervan to make this decision.
I'm so glad to hear this! Thanks for the update, Rick. :)
Sounds good. I'm in a state of disbelief that they changed the paper, raised the price, and pushed the release back---all big decisions for a publisher. Very nice. I'll be interested to see it---and eventually I will have to buy it---when it is released.
I'm glad to hear this news. I especially like the idea of the smyth-sewn binding and the thicker paper. This is definitely on my next bible to purchase.
Is this paper thick enough to use a highlighter on?
No one knows yet, Greg, since the TNIV Reference Bible has not been released yet. I've been promised an early copy, so I'll report what I can when I can.
However, I also recommend only dry highlighters on any Bible paper. Plus, different highlighters have different levels of bleed through. Again, dry highlighters are safer.
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