Roth novel with new spine (5)
I believe the answer is:
thorn
'spine' is the definition.
('thorn' can be a synonym of 'spine')
'roth novel with new' is the wordplay.
'novel with' indicates anagramming the letters.
'new' becomes 'n'.
'roth' with its letters mixed up with 'n' makes 'THORN'.
(Other definitions for thorn that I've seen before include "Sharp point on, eg, rose" , "Sharp spike on a plant" , "Sharp point on a shrub" , "Plant spine; old letter" , "Prickle on a plant" .)