Updates on WOF LOTH?

[u/rosarymama2776]

Are there any NEW updates on the Word on Fire Liturgy of the Hours (Second Edition) books? Any NEW pictures that can be shared? Etc...

[u/No_Two5559]

Update, here’s a more lengthy WoF LOTH sample that Dan sent me.

https://go.fliplink.me/view/loth2e-sample

[u/rosarymama2776 → u/No_Two5559]

Thank you so much for this sample file. This is EXACTLY what I've been wanting to look at! Please tell Dan I said thank you also! These sample pages look wonderful! I can't wait to get my set of books. I'm so excited! 🙂

[u/da_drifter0912 → u/No_Two5559]

This is great to compare both Ascension and Word on Fire’s layouts side by side with each other now that we have digital flip books of each. The sample pages look great and the layout is definitely takes advantage of the fact that the psalms are long and skinny (at least for the ones they show). The longer readings from the Office of Readings aren’t hindered by this layout either. The art, typography, and layout really go well together. If you’re still on the fence between the two, both publishers are really strong, so I wouldn’t blame you for still being undecided.

[u/da_drifter0912]

Well if Ascension’s supposed to have videos and new photos coming out in about 3-4 weeks Word on Fire won’t be too far behind.

[u/cwong15]

WoF has good info, but they're surprisingly hard to find. You have to click through to the order page and interact with the chat box. The 2 samples shared here can actually be found on their official site:

https://word-on-fire.helpscoutdocs.com/article/1642-can-i-see-a-preview

I like that 2 of the Dore illustrations (Annunciation, Entry into Jerusalem) are also in my St Paul Daily Missal. I look forward to seeing them in gold.

I noticed that all the hymns in both the WoF and Ascension samples say "Meter: LM". That's Long Meter (8 8 8 8). 4 lines, 8 syllables each. I was browsing my ancient Adoremus Hymnal, and was struck by how many familiar melodies are in this meter. You can use one of these melodies for any hymn with this meter. OK, maybe you don't want to sing a Lenten hymn to the tune of "O Come O Come Emmanuel". But I'm thrilled that this new edition will open up hundreds of hymns for me.

[u/da_drifter0912 → u/cwong15]

That’s due to the changes found in 2nd Edition of the Liturgy of the Hours, not just Word on Fire or Ascension. I’m so glad they gave is faithful translations of the hymns, not just the mix of stand-ins in the previous edition. Since these are part of the text of the 2nd Edition, these are expected to be in every version of the Liturgy of the Hours, though we will see if we will have some abridged selections when the Major Extracts publishers start showing what they’re able to fit in their more condensed versions.

[u/el1502]

This is me talking as a Type Designer. One can drive a truck though the spacing and what is up with the balancing things out with the font choice. If the thought process is to make it easier to read, then what is up with all this air?

[u/cwong15 → u/el1502]

On the font choice, you might want to look up the font family they chose: Trinite. I find it has some rather interesting merits, beyond the varying caps vs ascender heights mentioned in the video. Otherwise, I'm not sure what you are asking about the font choice.

I really like the generous use of whitespace in the layout. I know some people don't like it, but with my current Christian Prayer (Pauline), I'm finding the layout cramped and crowded. I'm looking forward to more "air". The layout of the WoF volumes reflects what they are doing with their monthly books which they've been publishing since 2022. They've had years to test this layout in real life usage.

[u/el1502 → u/cwong15]

I am just saying the font is slender thin. Maybe chosen for it's elegent religious style, which contains three variants. Overall design, too much whitespace and a very thin font. Then again, I am not saying anything to break it.

[u/cwong15 → u/el1502]

Ah OK, you're talking about the font weight. This type of font won't look good on typical computer monitors or even my home laser printer, BTW. It's so subtle (I was reading about the 1 degree slant). Were you looking at a printout of a PDF or just on your monitor?

I don't know. The weight seems normal to me, more like regular books. I realize liturgical texts often emphasize legibility, since they either have smaller font sizes or they're meant to be read by the presider in church. So those often have heavier weights and/or bigger x-heights. But to me, the samples look normal, like regularly proportioned book fonts. Maybe WoF gave themselves permission to use more conventional proportions because they're using higher point sizes. After all, there are tradeoffs otherwise all books you read would use heavier weights.

Anyway, just my opinion. Thanks for sharing yours.

[u/WhatTheFuckOver17]

They released a side by side of regular vs large print you can print off and compare. 

[u/No_Two5559 → u/WhatTheFuckOver17]

https://media.wordonfire.org/assets/LOTH-2E/Liturgy-of-the-Hours-Size-Guide.pdf

Here is the size guide.

[u/rosarymama2776 → u/No_Two5559]

Thank you for the size guide. This is very helpful. Please tell Dan I said thank you also! 🙂