Abstract: A soft cover, lay flat book in which a non-adherent, unreinforced coating of a volatile liquid carrier and powdered material is disposed over the glue along the backbone of the book block prior to the assembly of the cover, and the cover is adhered or otherwise secured to the book block only between the front and rear leaves and outer surface portions of the book block so that the backbone is movable independently of the spinal cover when the book is opened and closed.Alternately, the coating may be applied to the spinal portion of the cover and a laminate film affixed over the inner surface of the cover, again allowing independent movement of the backbone.