I have a softcover book. All pages are "attached" to the glue.  But the glue has come away from the spine on about the first 50 or so pages.    The pages are not falling out.  I think i've seen a word for this condition somewhere???

MaryF

Is either cleaved or broken spine the term you're looking for? Is there a distinct split between the first 50 pages and the remainder of the book where you can see the spine?

Unpostable?? The pages ARE falling out because they are no longer attached to the spine, they are just falling out in a chunk instead of individually.

It doesn't sound cleaved as that is when the pages are split, but still attached to the spine.  Same for a broken spine usually, the glue is split into two pieces, but still attached to the spine.

Yes!  That's exactly it.  If you hold the book in your hand without opening it, nothing appears to be wrong.  But if you open it, the glue is separating from the spine.

thanks VERY much - 'cleaved' is the word I was looking for!

MaryF

Yeah, Melanie, it's definitely unpostable!  I'm thinking of putting in my bulletin board as "free with any request". 

If anyone you know wants Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, ask them to check out my shelf.  I just finished it today and I really liked it!

MaryF

Mary - Just checked your shelf and sent you a PM.

I would probably call that condition 'separated' - as in the cover and pages have separated from one another.

Thanks everyone!  Debra - I got your pm!