hardback
Rigid book cover
A hardback is a book bound with rigid covers, typically made of cardboard wrapped in cloth or paper.
The term is interchangeable with hardcover, and both contrast with paperback, which has flexible covers.
Hardbacks are usually the first format in which new books are published, followed later by cheaper paperback editions.
I prefer to wait for the paperback rather than pay full price for the hardback.
Column of vertebrae
- coverProtect by overlaying
- stitchingJoining with needle, thread
- endpapersSheets joining cover to pages
- signaturesHandwritten names as authentication
cloth · boards · gilt · leather · buckram · marbled · headband · ribbon
New and unusual
- fictionImagined narrative work
- nonfictionLiterature about real events
- biographyWritten life account
- memoirWritten personal recollection
anthology · classics · prose · narrative · tome · literary · genre · epic
Seldom found or seen
- signedWrote one's name on
- vintageQuality from past eras
- out-of-printNo longer being published
- autographedBearing someone's signature
illuminated · incunabula · auction · appraised · investment · pristine · numbered · slipcased
Bound paper sheets
- chapterDivision of a book
- prologueIntroductory literary section
- epilogueConcluding literary section
- forewordIntroductory book section
index · glossary · footnotes · appendix · preface · acknowledgments · frontmatter · backmatter
Exchange of commodities
- mass-marketFor widespread commercial sale
- impressionEffect on the mind
- releaseTo let go
- publicationIssued written material
imprint · reprint · simultaneous · galley · remainder · backlist · frontlist · pre-order
Solidly built, durable
- robustStrong and durable
- long-lastingPersisting over extended time
- heavy-dutyBuilt for hard use
- solidFirm matter state
enduring · lasting · permanent · stable · reinforced · archival · shelf-life · protective
spine
Column of vertebrae
- coverProtect by overlaying
- stitchingJoining with needle, thread
- endpapersSheets joining cover to pages
signatures · cloth · boards · gilt · leather · buckram · marbled · headband · ribbon · hinge
novel
New and unusual
- fictionImagined narrative work
- nonfictionLiterature about real events
- biographyWritten life account
memoir · anthology · classics · prose · narrative · tome · literary · genre · epic · saga
rare
Seldom found or seen
- signedWrote one's name on
- vintageQuality from past eras
- out-of-printNo longer being published
autographed · illuminated · incunabula · auction · appraised · investment · pristine · numbered · slipcased · estate-sale
pages
Bound paper sheets
foreword · index · glossary · footnotes · appendix · preface · acknowledgments · frontmatter · backmatter · dedication
trade
Exchange of commodities
- mass-marketFor widespread commercial sale
- impressionEffect on the mind
- releaseTo let go
publication · imprint · reprint · simultaneous · galley · remainder · backlist · frontlist · pre-order · launch
sturdy
Solidly built, durable
- robustStrong and durable
- long-lastingPersisting over extended time
- heavy-dutyBuilt for hard use
solid · enduring · lasting · permanent · stable · reinforced · archival · shelf-life · protective · rigid
- book formatssoftcover, ebook, audiobook, large print, leather bound
- editionsedition, reprint, first pressing, second edition, limited edition
- booksnovel, textbooks, study guides, book, books
- compoundscompound word, compound sentence, compound noun, compound interest, compound fracture
hardbackpaperback
Book with flexible cover
softcover · softback · paper-bound · trade paperback · audiobook