How does a novel differ from a book?

The distinction between a novel and a book is one of category and inclusion: all novels are books, but not all books are novels.1

A book is a broad term for a physical or digital publication, which can encompass a wide variety of formats and purposes, including textbooks, cookbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries, biographies, memoirs, poetry collections, and historical or political texts.1

In contrast, a novel is a specific form of fiction. It is defined as an invented prose narrative of significant length and complexity that imaginatively explores human experience. While a novel is typically long enough to constitute a whole book, it is only one of many forms that a book can take. Other forms of fiction, such as short stories or novellas, may also be published as books, further illustrating that the term "book" refers to the medium or container, whereas "novel" refers to the specific literary genre and narrative structure.123