A hardcover book has stiff, durable covers made from thick cardboard wrapped in cloth or paper, protecting the pages inside like a sturdy shield. Libraries stock hardcovers because they survive years of handling by countless readers. Publishers release hardcovers first, months before cheaper paperback editions, making them more expensive but longer-lasting.

When you pick up a hardcover, you can feel its weight and solidity. The rigid covers keep pages from bending or tearing in a backpack. Many readers love hardcovers for books they plan to keep forever: a signed copy from a favorite author, a beautiful illustrated edition, or a book they'll read again and again.

Collectors and serious readers often prefer hardcovers for their heft and permanence. The word can also be an adjective: a hardcover edition is the first, sturdier version rather than the paperback. Some hardcovers include a paper dust jacket wrapped around the covers, adding colorful artwork and information about the book.