Friday 23 January 2009

Criminal book-binding

I am up in the early hours because I can't sleep. Not unusual for me, and not for any big worries, just you know, several things tearing around in my brain, such as things I haven't done that I should've; and things I have done that, maybe, I shouldn't have.

One that won't bother me one jot, but will, I know, bother some others.

*Warning to those of a sensitive nature - about books

That is the criminal book-binding I have done on my set book for AA310 Film & Television History with the Open University. This is a fat and heavy book, from which I am sure, I will gain a fount of knowledge and enjoy reading. Except I can't, in its original form, as it is very uncomfortable with my back condition.




Try as I might, I could not hold it while sitting and reading, or laying down, or even sitting with it on the table. The OU have kindly sent me the course books in spiral-bound format, which is most helpful and those books are thinner, thus lighter.


So, I've taken a bread knife to the spine, and divided it up into the four sections, thus;

Ah, that's better. Though I have to add that this is not my idea originally - that fame belongs to a. n. other, on the A215 Creative Writing course of 2006, who murdered one 'BRB' (Big Red Book) in this manner, most successfully I understand.
*Sorry to those who hate even pencil marks in books - I believe, however, that books are to be used to their full potential, annotations, warts and all (unless I'm re-selling them on ebay or amazon, then I keep them in pristine condition, for the higher price they fetch.)

10 comments:

Shabby Chick said...

Well if it means you actually use it then good for you! I used to annotate text books too, they aren't like other "real" books (eek now I'm waiting to get told off by someone!). Hope you're enjoying your OU course :)

Mel xxx

Shirley said...

Great idea! I'm in nursing school as we speak, and some of the textbooks are gargantuan! The only problem with cutting them in half (or fourths) is that there are already 40 or more books to keep track of. Keeping track of *pieces* of books would be impossible! But I salute your ingenuity! ;)

Dusty Spider said...

What a canny lass you are! Only trouble is the book's not big enough to bop Mr T with next time he coffs in the middle of your programme!! xxxx

tea and cake said...

That's interesting, shabby chick, what a 'real book' is? Should it be new? or vintage? or an antique? I love to read annotations people have put in ancient books, and wonder what or who, they mean.

Blimey, shirley, is that one book for every part of the body? You'll be a doctor at least by the end of it!

I am tempted, dusty spider, believe me!

Papoosue said...

See, now I'm thinking these sections would look really nice with some hand felted covers.....

tea and cake said...

LOL! I had the SAME thought, papoosue! I just wondered if I was being a tad fabric-obsessive!

Penny said...

My OU course book (600 pages, but paperback size) is also available as a PDF on the course website. So I've downloaded it and started a three step process (per page!) so I can print off certain pages and take them with me individually.

tea and cake said...

Hi Penny, I did that for a time with A215, but found it quite costly for paper and printing ink. Which course are you doing?

Kate North said...

People are funny about books, aren't they - I never did get that, even though I love book. Sure, I believe in taking care of them rather than throwing them on the floor, but if a book gets old and worn beyond sense (especially pbs) I just throw it away (well, recycle it, more likely) or if it's some interesting looking but totally obsolete text I am happy to alter it or if you need to take it apart to make it easier to use - why the heck not - it's only a book, not a baby or something! :)

Colton said...

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