I have done this again. Carved out the insides of an actual book (horrors!) to make a case for my kindle paperwhite, that feels like a real book in the hand. It’s a replacement for this cover I made over a year ago. I was never really satisfied with that outcome, but hadn’t made much effort to find another suitable book to use. Until on a recent visit to relatives, where an outspoken ten-year-old offered a lot of frank criticism on why my book looked so patched-together with tape over stickers for the lettering. He wasn’t rude about it, but it prompted me to make a better one.
I found one lovely book at a thrift shop last week with fake leather cover and no text on the outside. But after bringing it home discovered it’s actually worth something (listed as rare, $20 to $35 on a few used book sites) so couldn’t bring myself to cut up that one. Few days later found another at the other thrift shop in town. I paid $1.50 for it, it’s a subject I’m not interested in, got some bad reviews online (ha), and lists for pennies. In addition, the copy I bought had many passages underlined heavily in ink- which in my opinion makes it defaced already. So!
I emptied it.
Three days work. The most tedious part is sanding all the edges of the interior for a good fit. This time I not only cut out a gap for accessing the on/off button, but also made a hole for the cord so I can recharge the kindle without ever taking it out of the book cavity. I hope this makes it last longer. The kindle fits very snug in there and now I won’t have to wedge it in/out constantly, which used to put stress on the block of glued pages. I also like that I was able to leave 75 pages loose in the front, which enhances the book feel.
I used colored paper, ink, crayon and Elmer’s glue to make a title plate on the cover and spine.
It’s not perfect but personally I’m very pleased with the results. Already eager to open it and read.
I just hope none of you are cringing inside!
7 Responses
No cringing here, just agog… it looks amazing!
Thank you! I think it’s my best one yet, and hope it lasts the life of this kindle (eight, ten years maybe?)
I have no problems cutting up old books especially one that was already defaced. I actually like this idea but I don’t know since it adds weight to the ereader. I’m already too lazy about holding it up to read it. But it is something to think about as I dislike all those ereader covers.
Have a lovely day.
Hi Lissa. You’d be surprised- it adds hardly any weight at all. When the book is hollowed out, holding it empty it’s barely the weight of a standard letter. With the kindle in, it feels about the same heft as an ordinary book. I don’t even notice it!
Holy crow, this is really impressive! It looks great! Does it work the same way an ereader cover works for a Kindle, where if you open it up the Kindle automatically wakes itself up? I kind of want to try this! Only that I do not trust myself to do it successfully.
Thanks, Jenny! No, there’s nothing in it to automatically turn the kindle on/off. That’s why I had to make a finger hole in the lower edge for reaching the button without taking the kindle out of the cover cavity. It’s not that hard! Just takes some patience, a small sharp xacto and a ruler.
It came out so beautifully! I love it!