paperback

A paperback is a book with a soft paper cover instead of a stiff hardcover. It is usually lighter and less expensive, so it is easy to carry in a bag, read on a trip, or buy without spending too much. Many books first appear as hardcovers and later come out in this cheaper form, though some are released this way from the start. The word often brings to mind relaxed, everyday reading: a well-read book on a beach towel, on a train seat, or by your bed.

The term "paperback" refers to a book bound in a flexible paper or thin card cover rather than a hard cover. That difference affects the price, weight, and feel of the book. These editions became popular because they offered a more affordable and practical choice than many hardbound books, making reading easier to access for more people.

There are different kinds of paperbacks. A "mass-market paperback" is usually small, cheap, and made for easy carrying, the kind often seen in airports, train stations, or supermarkets. A "trade paperback" is usually larger and made with better paper and a sturdier cover. It often looks closer to a hardcover in size, but it still costs less and feels more flexible in your hands.

The word can refer both to the physical type of book and to a particular edition of a title. A novel may first be sold in hardcover and later be released in paperback for a wider group of readers. Some books, however, are published directly in this format. In everyday use, the term suggests something readable, practical, and familiar: a book you can slip into a bag, bend back a little while reading, and return to again and again.