hardcover
Not a paperback
A hardcover is a book bound with rigid boards covered in cloth, paper, or leather, as opposed to a flexible paperback binding.
Publishers typically release hardcovers first at higher prices, with paperback editions following: I'll wait for the paperback—I can't afford the hardcover.
The term works as both noun and adjective: a hardcover edition.
Single published version
- tradeExchange of commodities
- mass-marketFor widespread commercial sale
- ebookDownloadable text file
- audiobookRecorded oral narration
volume · printing · release · reprint · omnibus · slipcase · deluxe · oversized
Bound in textile
- sewnJoined by thread
- signaturesHandwritten names as authentication
- endpapersSheets joining cover to pages
- spineColumn of vertebrae
boards · headband · stitching · thread · glue · gutter · leatherbound · debossing
Protective paper book sleeve
- jacketSleeved upper-body covering
- spineColumn of vertebrae
- boardsPlanks or governing bodies
- endpapersSheets joining cover to pages
frontispiece · flyleaf · colophon · imprint · blurb · ISBN · barcode · title-page
Wrote one's name on
- autographedBearing someone's signature
- limitedRestricted in extent
- rareSeldom found or seen
- antiquarianScholar of old artifacts
vintage · mint · condition · numbered · slipcased · illustrated · annotated · commemorative
Solidly built, durable
- robustStrong and durable
- long-lastingPersisting over extended time
- resilientAble to recover quickly
- solidFirm matter state
reinforced · protective · archival · shelf-life · wear-resistant · quality · substantial · weighty
Horizontal storage platforms
- stacksVertical arrangements of items
- circulationMovement through a system
- lendingTemporary provision of resources
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
archives · catalog · checkout · collection · acquisition · preservation · interlibrary · holdings
To let go
- publicationIssued written material
- launchSet into motion
- retailSales to end users
- wholesaleBulk sales to merchants
discount · bestseller · preorder · royalties · remaindered · out-of-print · backlist · frontlist
edition
Single published version
- tradeExchange of commodities
- mass-marketFor widespread commercial sale
- ebookDownloadable text file
audiobook · volume · printing · release · reprint · omnibus · slipcase · deluxe · oversized
clothbound
Bound in textile
- sewnJoined by thread
- signaturesHandwritten names as authentication
- endpapersSheets joining cover to pages
spine · boards · headband · stitching · thread · glue · gutter · leatherbound · debossing · embossing
dustjacket
Protective paper book sleeve
endpapers · frontispiece · flyleaf · colophon · imprint · blurb · ISBN · barcode · title-page · half-title
signed
Wrote one's name on
- autographedBearing someone's signature
- limitedRestricted in extent
- rareSeldom found or seen
antiquarian · vintage · mint · condition · numbered · slipcased · illustrated · annotated · commemorative · gilt
sturdy
Solidly built, durable
- robustStrong and durable
- long-lastingPersisting over extended time
- resilientAble to recover quickly
solid · reinforced · protective · archival · shelf-life · wear-resistant · quality · substantial · weighty · permanent
shelves
Horizontal storage platforms
- stacksVertical arrangements of items
- circulationMovement through a system
- lendingTemporary provision of resources
reference · archives · catalog · checkout · collection · acquisition · preservation · interlibrary · holdings
release
To let go
- publicationIssued written material
- launchSet into motion
- retailSales to end users
wholesale · discount · bestseller · preorder · royalties · remaindered · out-of-print · backlist · frontlist
- booksnovel, textbooks, study guides, book, books
- publishingpublishers, editors, editor, publishing house, books
- book formatsebook, audiobook, large print, leather bound, cloth bound
- book termsfolio, quarto, octavo, duodecimo, page
- book worlddystopian fiction, young adult fiction, fantasy novels, graphic novels, memoir
- Book Coversdust jacket, jacket flap, jacket copy, dust jackets, book sleeve
hardcoverpaperback
Book with flexible cover
softcover · softback · paperbound · paper-bound · trade paperback