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A book is a collection of paper, parchment or other material with text, pictures, or both written on them, usually bound together along one edge within covers. Each side of a sheet is called a page and a single sheet within a book may be called a leaf. A book is also a literary work or a main division of such a work. A book produced in electronic format is known as an e-book. In library and information science, a book is called a monograph to distinguish it from serial periodicals such as magazines, journals or newspapers.

Publishers may produce low-cost, pre-publication copies known as galleys or 'bound proofs' for promotional purposes, such as generating reviews in advance of publication. Galleys are usually made as cheaply as possible, since they are not intended for sale. A lover of books is usually referred to as a bibliophile, a bibliophilist, or a philobiblist, or, more informally, a bookworm. A book may be studied by students in the form of a book report. It may also be covered by a professional writer as a book review to introduce a new book. Some belong to a book club.

Books can be categorized in a number of ways. Small books, especially if they are simply bound, can be called booklets. The contents written on the pages, the text, pictures, tables, etc., can be written (printed) by the maker of the book or the owner of the book, or a combination of the two. A common example of books to be written in by the user are notebooks. Many notebooks are simply bound by a spiral coil at the edge so that pages can be easily torn out. Notebooks are commonly used by students for taking notes. Scientists and other researchers use lab notebooks to record their work. Books for holding collections of pictures or photographs are called albums. Albums are often made so that the pages are removable. Somewhat similar albums may be used for holding collections of stamps. Books for recording periodic entries by the user, such as daily information about a journey, are called logbooks or simply logs. A similar book for writing daily the owner's private personal events and information is called a diary. Businesses use accounting books such as journals and ledgers to record financial data in a practice called bookkeeping. Examples of books to be partly filled in by the user include a personal address book, phone book, or calendar book for recording appointments, etc. Elementary school pupils often use workbooks which are published with spaces or blanks to be filled by them for study or homework.

Publishing is a process for producing books, magazines, newspapers, etc. pre-printed for the reader/user to buy, usually in large numbers by a publishing company. Such books can be categorized as fiction (made-up stories) or non-fiction (information written as true). A book-length fiction story is called a novel. There are many types of non-fiction books, only some of which are mentioned here. Pre-printed school books for students to study are commonly called textbooks. A book with written prayers is called a prayerbook or missal. A books with a collection of hymns is called a hymnal. In a library, a general type of non-fiction book which provides information as opposed to telling a story, essay, commentary, or otherwise supporting a point of view, is often referred to as a reference book. There are various types of reference books. A book listing words, their etymology, meanings, etc. is called a dictionary. A book which is a collection of maps is an atlas. A very general reference book, usually one-volume, with lists of data and information on many topics is called an almanac. A more specific reference book with tables or lists of data and information about a certain topic, often intended for professional use, is often called a handbook. Books with technical information on how to do something or how to use some equipment are called manuals. A telephone book is often published yearly by the telephone company listing telephone numbers for people or parties in a certain area. Books which list the law or code in a certain area are called law books, which are often multi-volume. An encyclopedia is a book or series of books with articles on many topics. Many encyclopedias try to encompass general topics in all areas, but some encyclopedias are more specific. Some books, often multi-volume collections, which try to list references and abstracts in a certain broad area may be called an index, such as Engineering Index, or abstracts such as Chemical Abstracts, Biological Abstracts, etc.

Books may also be categorized by their binding or cover. Hard cover books have a stiff binding. Paperback books have cheaper, flexible covers which tend to be less durable.