Book collecting is the collecting of books. While many book lovers (bibliophiles) accumulate volumes for a personal library, the serious book collector is interested in the physical books themselves, not just their content. For instance, many collectors seek out first editions of books, or acquire copies of every work written by a particular author or on a particular subject. A lover of books is sometimes called a bookman.

Basic collecting is quite easy; there are billions of books in the world, and thousands of bookstores, both physical and virtual (Internet). There is an active market in all types of works, going all the way back to illuminated manuscripts. While manuscript books are all expensive, even incunabula (books printed in the 15th century) can be found for several hundred US dollars, and century-old books often cost under ten dollars.


Advanced collectors may pursue the great rarities; the Gutenberg Bible and Shakespeare's First Folio are famous, and pricey. Unusual items include the "book" of squares of native textiles brought back from the South Seas by Captain Cook. More practical for the collector of average means is to collect all the first editions of a favorite modern author.


Collection interests may include books relating to all the qualities of a book or books, including: author, illustrator, publisher, printer, series (Modern Library, etc.), private presses (Kelmscott Press, etc.), book designers, physical forms (miniature books, palm leaf, vellum, etc.), awards (Pulitzer Prize, Booker Prize, etc.), stages of publication (galley copies, advance copies, uncorrected bound proofs, etc.), author signature, association copy, historical era, regional/local interest, subject, genre, incunabula or marginalia. Related collecting interests include autograph collecting and ephemera.