PURPOSE: To obtain an adhesive for bookbinding, having excellent quick-drying property and adhesive strength and extremely good cuttability in bookbinding process, by mixing a polymer latex with ungelatinized starch (derivative).

CONSTITUTION: The objective adhesive can be prepared by adding 5W60pts.wt., preferably 10W30pts. of ungelatinized starch and/or a starch derivative (e.g. oxidized starch) to 100pts. of a polymer latex (e.g. vinyl acetate resin emulsion). The composition may be incorporated with additives such as plasticizer, filler, stabilizer, age stabilizer, preservative, etc.