Editing Book (section)

== Content ==
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2024}}

[[File:Polish sci fi fantasy books.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Novel]]s in a [[bookstore]]]]

Libraries, bookstores, and collections commonly divide books into [[fiction]] and [[non-fiction]], though other types exist beyond this. Other books, which remain unpublished or are primarily published as part of different business functions (such as phone directories) may not be sold by bookstores or collected by libraries. Manuscripts, logbooks and other records may be classified and stored differently by [[special collections]] or [[archive]]s.

=== Fiction ===
Fiction books contain invented material, typically narratives. Other literary forms such as [[poetry]] are included in the broad category. Most fiction is additionally categorized by [[literary form]] and [[genre]].

The [[novel]] is the most common form of fiction book. Novels are extended works of narrative fiction, typically featuring a plot, setting, themes and characters. The novel has had a tremendous impact on entertainment and publishing markets.<ref>{{cite news |author=Edwin Mcdowell |date=October 30, 1989 |title=The Media Business; Publishers Worry After Fiction Sales Weaken |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/30/business/the-media-business-publishers-worry-after-fiction-sales-weaken.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207141016/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/30/business/the-media-business-publishers-worry-after-fiction-sales-weaken.html |archive-date=February 7, 2012 |access-date=January 25, 2008 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=August 2024}} A [[novella]] is a term sometimes used for fiction [[prose]] typically between 17,500 and 40,000 words, and a [[Novella|novelette]] between 7,500 and 17,500. A [[short story]] may be any length up to 10,000 words, but these word lengths vary.

[[Comic book]]s or [[graphic novel]]s are books in which the story is illustrated. The characters and narrators use speech or thought bubbles to express verbal language.

=== Non-fiction ===
[[File:Stefan Ramult-Pomeranian Dictionary.png|upright|thumb|left|A page from a [[dictionary]]]]
Non-fiction books are in principle based on fact, encompassing subjects such as history, politics, social and cultural issues, as well as [[autobiographies]] and [[memoir]]s. Nearly all [[academic literature]] is non-fiction.

==== References ====
{{Main|Reference work}}
Reference books are non-fiction books intended to be quickly referred to for information, rather than read beginning to end. The writing style used in these works is informative; the authors avoid opinions and the use of the first person, and emphasize facts.

An [[almanac]] is a very general reference book, usually one-volume, with lists of data and information on many topics. An [[encyclopedia]] is a book or set of books designed to have more in-depth articles on many topics. A book listing words, their etymology, meanings, and other information is called a [[dictionary]]. An [[atlas]] is a book containing a collection of [[map]]s. A specialized reference work giving information about a particular field or technique, often intended for professional use, is often called a [[handbook]]. Books which try to list references and abstracts in a certain broad area may be called an [[index (publishing)|index]], such as ''Engineering Index'', or [[abstract (summary)|abstracts]] such as chemical abstracts and biological abstracts.

==== Technical ====
{{See also|Technical writing}}[[File:Atlas - book.jpg|right|thumb|An [[atlas]]]]

Books with technical information on how to do something or how to use some equipment are called [[instruction manual]]s. Other popular how-to books include [[cookbook]]s and [[home improvement]] books.

==== Educational ====
Students often carry [[textbook]]s and schoolbooks for study purposes. [[Lap book]]s are a learning tool created by students. [[Elementary school]] pupils often use [[workbook]]s, which are published with spaces or blanks to be filled by them for study or [[homework]]. In US [[higher education]], it is common for a student to take an exam using a [[blue book exam|blue book]].

==== Religious ====
{{Main|Religious text}}
Religious texts, including scripture, are texts which various [[religion]]s consider to be of central importance to their religious tradition. They often feature a compilation or discussion of beliefs, ritual practices, moral commandments and [[Religious law|laws]], ethical conduct, spiritual aspirations, and admonitions for fostering a religious community.

[[Hymnal]]s are books with collections of [[music]]al [[hymn]]s that can typically be found in [[church (building)|churches]]. [[Breviary|Prayerbooks]] or [[missal]]s are books that contain written [[prayer]]s and are commonly carried by [[monk]]s, [[nun]]s, and other devoted followers or [[clergy]].

=== Children's books ===
{{Excerpt|files=1|Children's book}}[[File:Friedrich Kellner diary Oct 6, 1939 p3.jpg|left|thumb|upright|A page from a notebook used as handwritten diary]]

=== Unpublished ===
{{See also|List of unpublished books}}
Many books are only used to record personal ideas, notes, and accounts, such as [[notebook]]s, [[logbook]]s, [[commonplace book]]s, and [[Diary|diaries]]. These books are rarely published and are typically destroyed or remain private.

[[Address book]]s, [[phone book]]s, and [[Diary (stationery)|calendar/appointment books]] are commonly used for recording appointments, meetings and personal [[Address (geography)|contact information]]. Businesses historically used [[accounting]] books such as journals and [[ledger]]s to record financial data in a practice called [[bookkeeping]] (now usually held on computers rather than in hand-written form).