Books Vocabulary

One or more optional pages used to thank individuals who contributed their time, resources, and talent towards the effort of writing the book.

A removable slip of paper that folds around the covers and spine, which may contain special offers, last-minute accolades, or other material.

The surface of a book that is opposite the spine. It faces the wall when the book is shelved in a traditional manner.

An alphabetical list of names, subjects, etc., with references to the places where they occur, typically found at the end of a book.

An ordered list of the book’s chapter or section titles and the page on which each begins.

A section most often found in nonfiction books where authors cite their sources to maintain their credibility and to avoid potential plagiarism issues. Some authors will also list resources that they feel would be valuable to the reader.

The free, unglued half of an endpaper.

When included, a page that pays tribute to individuals or organizations that influenced or supported the author’s work. It typically follows the copyright page.

A page that usually displays the title, author(s), and the publisher imprint.

A short piece of writing near the beginning of a book, typically written by someone other than the author, that introduces the author and/or subject matter and explains why the reader should be interested in the book.

A quote, phrase or poem appearing at the beginning of a book, section or chapter.

Any of the main thematic divisions within a writing of relative length, which may be numbered, titled, or both.

A removable paper cover, generally with a decorative design, used to protect a book from dirt or damage.

A piece of writing at the end of a work of literature, usually used to bring closure to the work, and presented from the perspective of within the story.

The top of a book when held in position for reading.

A double-size sheet folded, with one half pasted against an inside cover and the other half free, in alignment with bound pages. May contain patterns or other artwork.

The bottom of a book when held in position for reading.

The inner margin of the leaves of a bound book; adjacent inner margins of facing pages when book is open.

An illustration on the page opposite the title page.

A page — usually on the verso of the title page — that protects the author’s intellectual property and that may also include a statement of rights, disclaimers, printing location and history, print run information, the author’s website address, Library of Congress Control Number and ISBN numbers.

When included, the first page of a book, containing only the book’s title.

An opening to a story that establishes the context and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information.

Rigid, flat sheets of material used to make book covers.

A stack of two or more papers grouped and folded together to be attached to the spine.

The edge that connects the front and back covers and binds the pages together.

The exterior flexible "hinge" where book cover meets book spine.

A literary device that is often found at the end of a piece of literature. It generally covers the story of how the book came into being, or of how the idea for the book was developed. It may be written by someone other than the author of the book to provide enriching comment, such as discussing the work's historical or cultural context (especially if the work is being reissued many years after its original publication).