A recto in a book is a right-hand page, as opposed to a verso, which is a left-hand page. The recto of the first page of a book is the front side, or cover. In codex books, the opening words of a text are often printed on the recto of the first folio, the first spread of two pages that opens when the book is opened.
The recto is conventionally given odd page numbers, while the verso are given even page numbers. This system is used in both printing and pagination.
The terms “recto” and “verso” are also used in the printing industry to refer to the front and back sides of a sheet of paper, respectively.
A recto in a book is a right-hand page, as seen when the book is open and being read. In other words, a recto is the front side of a folio. The term “recto” is derived from the Latin for “right.”
The recto of a book’s opening spread usually contains the title page, and the verso usually the half title. The first page of the text is a recto, but the second page is a verso, and so on.
The word recto can also refer to the front side of a leaf of paper in a codex, as opposed to the verso, which is the back side. In this case, recto and verso refer to physical sides of the leaf, not to logical sides in the reading sequence.
In conclusion, Recto is extremely important when it comes to books. Not only does it add support and stability to the spine, but it also allows the pages to lay flat when the book is open, making it much easier to read. Additionally, the cover of the book is usually attached to the recto, meaning that it protects the pages from damage and dirt.