Book vs. Novel: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A book is any written work or document, while a novel is a specific type of book that is a fictional narrative, usually in prose.
Key Differences
A book is a general term that refers to any written or printed work, which can be fiction or nonfiction, in various formats like paper or electronic. A novel, however, is a specific type of book that is always a fictional story, typically presented in a narrative format and written in prose.
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Nov 20, 2023
Books can cover a wide range of content including educational material, nonfiction, poetry, etc., and serve various purposes like information, instruction, or entertainment. Novels specifically aim to narrate a story, focusing on characters, actions, and settings to engage the reader's imagination.
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Nov 20, 2023
While books can vary greatly in length and structure, depending on their type (textbooks, manuals, etc.), novels usually consist of a lengthy, complex narrative, often involving various subplots and a large cast of characters.
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Nov 20, 2023
The concept of the book has evolved over centuries, from ancient scrolls to modern e-books, encompassing all forms of written knowledge and stories. The novel as a literary form developed more recently, emerging prominently in the 17th and 18th centuries as a distinct genre focusing on narrative fiction.
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Nov 20, 2023
Both books and novels hold significant cultural and artistic value but in different ways. Books, in general, contribute to the collective knowledge and culture, while novels are particularly noted for their artistic expression, storytelling, and exploration of human experiences.
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Nov 20, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Any written or printed work
A fictional narrative, usually in prose
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Nov 20, 2023
Purpose
Information, instruction, or entertainment
Storytelling, artistic expression
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Nov 20, 2023
Historical Development
Evolved from ancient times
Emerged as a genre in 17th-18th century
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Nov 20, 2023
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Book and Novel Definitions
Book
A collection of written, printed, or illustrated sheets bound together.
She gifted him a book on medieval history for his birthday.
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Nov 16, 2023
Novel
A work of fiction, distinct from short stories and novellas.
She spent the weekend engrossed in a gripping mystery novel.
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Nov 16, 2023
Book
A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Novel
A prose narrative exploring human experiences.
The novel delved into the complexities of family dynamics.
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Nov 16, 2023
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Novel
A fictional prose narrative of considerable length, typically having a plot that is unfolded by the actions, speech, and thoughts of the characters.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A printed or written literary work
Did you ever finish writing that book?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A main division of a larger printed or written work
A book of the Old Testament.
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Oct 19, 2023
Novel
Newly made, formed or evolved; having no precedent; of recent origin; new.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
Books Financial or business records considered as a group
Checked the expenditures on the books.
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Oct 19, 2023
Novel
Original, especially in an interesting way; new and striking; not of the typical or ordinary type.
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Oct 19, 2023
Novel
(historical) A fable; a short tale, especially one of many making up a larger work.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A set of prescribed standards or rules on which decisions are based
Runs the company by the book.
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Oct 19, 2023
Novel
Of recent origin or introduction; not ancient; new; hence, out of the ordinary course; unusual; strange; surprising.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
The total amount of experience, knowledge, understanding, and skill that can be used in solving a problem or performing a task
We used every trick in the book to finish the project on schedule.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
(Informal) Factual information, especially of a private nature
What's the book on him?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Novel
A fictitious tale or narrative, longer than a short story, having some degree of complexity and development of characters; it is usually organized as a time sequence of events, and is commonly intended to exhibit the operation of the passions, and often of love.
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Oct 19, 2023
Novel
A printed and bound book that is an extended work of fiction;
His bookcases were filled with nothing but novels
He burned all the novels
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
(Games) The number of card tricks needed before any tricks can have scoring value, as the first six tricks taken by the declaring side in bridge.
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Oct 19, 2023
Novel
Of a kind not seen before;
The computer produced a completely novel proof of a well-known theorem
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
To arrange for or purchase (tickets or lodgings, for example) in advance; reserve.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
To arrange a reservation, as for a hotel room, for (someone)
Book me into the best hotel in town.
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Oct 19, 2023
Novel
A lengthy fictional work, narrating a story with characters and plot.
Her favorite novel was a classic tale of adventure and romance.
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Nov 16, 2023
Novel
An original fictional story, often exploring various themes.
The novel received acclaim for its innovative storytelling.
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Nov 16, 2023
Book
To list or register in a book
Booked the revenue from last month's sales.
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Oct 19, 2023
Novel
A literary format focusing on character development and plot.
His latest novel explored themes of love and loss.
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Nov 16, 2023
Book
To list or record appointments or engagements in
A calendar that was booked solid on Tuesday.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
To record information about (a suspected offender) after arrest in preparation for arraignment, usually including a criminal history search, fingerprinting, and photographing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
(Sports) To record the flagrant fouls of (a player) for possible disciplinary action, as in soccer.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
To be hired for or engaged in
The actor has booked his next movie with that director.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
Of or relating to knowledge learned from books rather than actual experience
Has book smarts but not street smarts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A collection of sheets of paper bound together to hinge at one edge, containing printed or written material, pictures, etc.
She opened the book to page 37 and began to read aloud.
He was frustrated because he couldn't find anything about dinosaurs in the book.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A long work fit for publication, typically prose, such as a novel or textbook, and typically published as such a bound collection of sheets, but now sometimes electronically as an e-book.
I have three copies of his first book.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A major division of a long work.
Genesis is the first book of the Bible.
Many readers find the first book of A Tale of Two Cities to be confusing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
(gambling) A record of betting (from the use of a notebook to record what each person has bet).
I'm running a book on who is going to win the race.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
(informal) A bookmaker (a person who takes bets on sporting events and similar); bookie; turf accountant.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A convenient collection, in a form resembling a book, of small paper items for individual use.
A book of stamps
A book of raffle tickets
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A book award, a recognition for receiving the highest grade in a class (traditionally an actual book, but recently more likely a letter or certificate acknowledging the achievement).
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
(sports) A document, held by the referee, of the incidents happened in the game.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A list of all players who have been booked (received a warning) in a game.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
(with "the") The accumulated body of knowledge passed down among black pimps.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
(transitive) To reserve (something) for future use.
I want to book a hotel room for tomorrow night.
I can book tickets for the concert next week.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
(transitive) To write down, to register or record in a book or as in a book.
They booked that message from the hill
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
(transitive) To add a name to the list of people who are participating in something.
I booked a flight to New York.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
To record the name and other details of a suspected offender and the offence for later judicial action.
The police booked him for driving too fast.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
(sports) To issue a caution to, usually a yellow card, or a red card if a yellow card has already been issued.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
To travel very fast.
He was really booking, until he passed the speed trap.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
To receive the highest grade in a class.
The top three students had a bet on which one was going to book their intellectual property class.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A collection of sheets of paper, or similar material, blank, written, or printed, bound together; commonly, many folded and bound sheets containing continuous printing or writing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A composition, written or printed; a treatise.
A good book is the precious life blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A part or subdivision of a treatise or literary work; as, the tenth book of "Paradise Lost."
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A volume or collection of sheets in which accounts are kept; a register of debts and credits, receipts and expenditures, etc.; - often used in the plural; as, they got a subpoena to examine our books.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
Six tricks taken by one side, in the game of bridge or whist, being the minimum number of tricks that must be taken before any additional tricks are counted as part of the score for that hand; in certain other games, two or more corresponding cards, forming a set.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A written version of a play or other dramatic composition; - used in preparing for a performance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A set of paper objects (tickets, stamps, matches, checks etc.) bound together by one edge, like a book; as, he bought a book of stamps.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A book or list, actual or hypothetical, containing records of the best performances in some endeavor; a recordbook; - used in the phrase one for the book or one for the books.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
The set of facts about an athlete's performance, such as typical performance or playing habits or methods, that are accumulated by potential opponents as an aid in deciding how best to compete against that athlete; as, the book on Ted Williams suggests pitching to him low and outside.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
The list of current buy and sell orders maintained by a stock market specialist.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
The purchase orders still outstanding and unfilled on a company's ledger; as, book to bill ratio.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
To enter, write, or register in a book or list.
Let it be booked with the rest of this day's deeds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
To enter the name of (any one) in a book for the purpose of securing a passage, conveyance, or seat; to reserve{2}; also, to make an arrangement for a reservation; as, to be booked for Southampton; to book a seat in a theater; to book a reservation at a restaurant.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
To mark out for; to destine or assign for; as, he is booked for the valedictory.
Here I am booked for three days more in Paris.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
To make an official record of a charge against (a suspect in a crime); - performed by police.
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together);
I am reading a good book on economics
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
Physical objects consisting of a number of pages bound together;
He used a large book as a doorstop
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A record in which commercial accounts are recorded;
They got a subpoena to examine our books
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A number of sheets (ticket or stamps etc.) bound together on one edge;
He bought a book of stamps
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A compilation of the known facts regarding something or someone;
Al Smith used to say, `Let's look at the record'
His name is in all the recordbooks
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
A collection of rules or prescribed standards on the basis of which decisions are made;
They run things by the book around here
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
The sacred writings of Islam revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
The sacred writings of the Christian religions;
He went to carry the Word to the heathen
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
Record a charge in a police register;
The policeman booked her when she tried to solicit a man
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
Arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance;
Reserve me a seat on a flight
The agent booked tickets to the show for the whole family
Please hold a table at Maxim's
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
Engage for a performance;
Her agent had booked her for several concerts in Tokyo
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Oct 19, 2023
Book
Any literary work, regardless of content or format.
The library's rare book collection was impressive.
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Nov 16, 2023
Book
A work for reading or study, covering any topic.
The student spent hours reading a book on quantum physics.
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Nov 16, 2023
Book
An electronic or digital version of a written work.
She downloaded an e-book for her evening reading.
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Nov 16, 2023
Book
A bound set of blank sheets for writing or recording.
He kept a book to jot down his creative ideas.
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Nov 16, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a novel be based on true events?
Yes, but it still remains fictional in its narrative and elaboration.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Do novels always have a complex plot?
Typically, novels have a complex plot, but some can be simpler.
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Nov 20, 2023
Do novels have to be written in prose?
Typically, novels are in prose, but there are exceptions.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can a book contain multiple novels?
Yes, a book can be a compilation of several novels.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can a biography be a novel?
Biographies, being nonfictional, are not novels.
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Nov 20, 2023
Are graphic novels considered novels?
Graphic novels are a type of novel, using illustrations to tell a story.
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Nov 20, 2023
Do all novels have characters?
Characters are a fundamental element of novels.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is every book a novel?
No, not all books are novels; a novel is a specific type of book.
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Nov 20, 2023
Do novels always have a happy ending?
No, the ending of a novel can vary greatly.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is a short story a novel?
No, a short story is shorter and less complex than a novel.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can a book be a collection of essays?
Yes, books can be collections of essays.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is poetry considered a book or a novel?
Poetry can be in a book, but it's not a novel.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can a novel be without dialogue?
Yes, though rare, some novels may have minimal or no dialogue.
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Nov 20, 2023
Are novels always part of a series?
Novels can be standalone works or part of a series.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is a novel always a work of art?
Novels are often considered works of art, but this can be subjective.
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Nov 20, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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