Would you read a book if it was printed like a newspaper?

In the 1970s, a Dutch publisher named Theo Knippenberg experimented with a new book format, publishing novels in the style of newspapers. Theo's journey into publishing began when his mother encouraged him to find a respectable trade. In the late 1960s, he stumbled upon his success at an arts festival in Utrecht, where he sold tiny books bound together with an elastic band by Dutch writers.

Theo met writer Harry Mulisch at a road crossing and convinced him to publish an excerpt of an essay, which led to publishing works by other famous Dutch authors. As a student, Theo found books unaffordable, so he invested his earnings from mini book sales into publishing equipment, opting for thinner newsprint to reduce costs. Bulkboek was launched in 1970, publishing 250 novels in the newspaper format over 26 years, with annual subscriptions costing 1.50 guilders (around €4 today).

The editions included interviews, critical essays, and explanatory texts to aid readers' understanding. The publisher expanded beyond Dutch authors to include works by Leo Tolstoy, Pablo Neruda, and Iris Murdoch, and even published books in languages other than Dutch. By the early 1990s, cheaper paperbacks had entered the market, leading to Bulkboek's takeover by educational publisher BruutTAAL.

Theo continues to be involved with the company, focusing on short story publications due to shorter attention spans in today's students. Bulkboek's newspaper-style books can still be found on second-hand book websites, often for less than their original prices.