A book is a medium for recording information in the form of writing or images. It is typically bound together and protected by a cover, and it was preceded by several other formats, including the scroll and the clay tablet. It is a cultural and technological symbol of literate societies, and it is considered the heir apparent to the papyrus roll and the parchment or vellum codex of the ancient world, and the paper manuscripts that dominated Europe from the 15th century. The versatility and adaptability of the book format ensures that it will continue to play a key role in the dissemination of knowledge in all literate cultures.
A book consists of sheets of paper held together and covered with cloth or leather. Each sheet may have words written on it and/or illustrations drawn, and there is usually more than one writer and illustrator. People who write the words in a book are called authors and those who draw the pictures are called illustrators. Until the mechanization of printing in the 19th century books were handwritten or written by typewriter and were kept in special places called libraries or scriptoria.
There is a large variety of books published today, with many new titles entering the marketplace each year. The book industry is experiencing rapid change as it adapts to the digital age. Some writers have moved from traditional publishing to self-publishing, and new technologies allow books to be printed on demand in small quantities rather than in large runs. These developments are allowing formerly “out of print” books to be brought back into publication.
Books are also a vehicle for preserving human culture and values. They help to preserve historical events and record the traditions of a society, as well as promote societal change by fostering public discourse on social issues. In addition, they can be a source of entertainment and enjoyment, reducing stress levels and helping to relax the mind.
Readers react to books in a variety of ways, depending on the genre and what they are reading. These reactions can stem from a number of factors, including the price, which is a commercial transaction, as well as cultural and emotional responses to texts. Readers’ reactions can also be influenced by the way the text is presented and edited.
Moreover, books can serve as a memorial to a loved one. For example, a woman named Ellen received a book by the sentimental poet Felicia Hemans after her seven-year-old daughter died. Using lines from Hemans’s poem, Ellen wrote an inscription in the book for her daughter, which was a moving tribute.
The books in a library or other collection are arranged according to a system of classification. Two of the most famous systems are the Dewey Decimal System and the Library of Congress Classification system. These systems are sometimes criticised for being biased towards subjects which were well represented in libraries when they were developed, and they do not always deal effectively with new subjects or those from other cultures.