Abstract: An integral cover for a hardback book is disclosed. The book has an edge binding and a pair of stiff side panels, and the cover includes and features a thermoplastic sheet comprising between about 60 to about 85% by weight of a polypropylene homopolymer, between about 12 and about 32% by weight calcium carbonate, and between about 3 to about 12% by weight of a low density polyethylene carrier for the calcium carbonate. The edges of the thermoplastic sheet are turned over the edges of the stiff side panels of the book and adhesively secured thereto and smooth, wrinkle-free gutters are formed in the thermoplastic sheet between the edge binding of the book and each of the stiff side panels to provide hinges for the covered side panels. The cover is a substitute for book covers made of cloth, paper or vinyl and the formulation permits the sheet material to be easily cut, smoothly formed in the gutters and reduces the tendency of blocking and of sticking to the hot lettering stamp.