A Book Collector's Glossary

All | # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
There are currently 11 items in this directory beginning with the letter B.
backbone
A book's backstrap, backstrip or spine.
bar code
The common term for Universal Product Code.
bds.
Abbreviation for "boards," which see.
belles lettres
Fine arts literature (fiction, poetry, drama, etc.) as distinguished from scientific/technical writing.
Biblio
An electronic mailing list which is dedicated to news of the used book trade.
bibliomane
A book-nut (or worse ; ).
bibliophile
A book lover (or worse ; ).
blurb
The paragraph or so printed on the cover or dust jacket of a book which almost always tells you how important the book is.
boards
The stiff front and back parts of a hardcover book.
bound galley
An uncorrected page or galley proof sent out by a publisher before publication for publicity.
bowdlerization
The practice of censorship by publication of expurgated texts. This practice got its name from English editor Thomas Bowdler (1854-1825) who published altered editions (especially of Shakespeare's works).