A book is more flexible as to what it can contain. It can be a fiction piece or it can be non-fiction. It can be a children's book, text book, comic book, instructional book, poetry book, cook book, or picture book too. But, a novel must have certain specific characteristics. Novels are fictional pieces that tell a story. Within the story, there are characters and a plot.
There are many types of novels such as romance, Amish type, drama, and science fiction. The novels can be for different age groups and various interest groups too. The person who writes a book or novel is an author. Books are written to provide more information than a simply pamplet or guidebook does or to add information which is too much copy for a website.
For instance, the maker of an anti-aging skin care line might put out a book on anti-aging skin care like telling how certain things age skin and also offering remedies to revive aging skin. The book might be for sale or might also be offered as a free gift to buyers of the company's skin care line. Novels deal with the creation of a made up story, usually following one of many plot blueprints like the circle, figure 8, or other ones that are common. Both books and novels are great for people who like to read and learn.