Letter: Book spine totals

Sir: Is there any reason why publishers cannot agree on whether book spine titles should face left or right? Older hardback books were sensibly lettered across the spine so they could be read easily when the books were on shelves, but no longer. If writing has to be along the spine, it seems more logical for the base of the letters to be on the left (back) side, so that books stacked on their sides are ready to read when removed from the stack.

D R BELL

Bath