A longtime Amazon book buyer describes growing frustration with print-on-demand books that feel like a downgrade from traditional paperbacks. The author, who rebuilt a reading habit after years of screen addiction, now finds Amazon increasingly offering POD versions of popular titles like Penguin Classics and bestsellers. These books feature lower-quality covers, grainy textures, and poor typesetting compared to standard editions.

Print-on-demand books often cost more than traditional paperbacks despite inferior quality. The author notes paying 18€ for POD versions of Growth of the Soil and Martin Eden, nearly double the 10€ price of a standard Penguin Classic. Many POD books display "Printed in France by Amazon" or "Printed in Italy by Amazon" on the last page, revealing they're produced only after purchase rather than pulled from existing stock.

The practice represents what the author calls "enshittification" - digital platforms degrading quality after capturing customer loyalty. While Amazon's generous return policy offers refunds, the cycle of disappointment and reordering feels wasteful. The author suggests alternatives like buying from other retailers, importing from the US or UK, or purchasing used books, but finds Amazon's selection and convenience hard to abandon.