You Don't Need a Smartphone

In this revelatory manifesto, anti-tech activist August Lamm gives you the courage and confidence to ditch your smartphone once and for all.

“The essential guide to putting down your phone — and coming back to real life.”
—Catherine Price, #1 NYT bestselling author of How to Break Up With Your Phone

When I owned a smartphone, my life was bad. I knew this. What I did not know was that I had a choice.

August Lamm wasted her youth on the internet. In her late twenties, burnt out as a social media influencer, she sold her smartphone and switched to a dumb phone. Immediately, her mental health improved, her attention span increased, and her curiosity returned. Since then, she has made it her mission to help others do the same.

Lamm started using a smartphone at age 14, so she knows how it feels to come of age glued to a screen—and how hard it is to break free. Filled with moving stories and practical suggestions, You Don’t Need a Smartphone proves that living without a computer in your pocket is not only possible but ideal. Offering guidance on selecting a new phone, navigating without GPS, meeting people offline, and overcoming obstacles like digital tickets and dual-factor authentication, You Don’t Need a Smartphone is as urgent and radical as its title, and a new blueprint for a fulfilling life in the Information Age.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs