June 22, 2013

Saving Old Books: Blogathon, Day 22

Old books don't always hold up to the ravages of time. Sadly.

And even if they do, we can only keep so many of them.

As a kid, I loved Nancy Drew. I read every book about her that I could get my hands on. I even saved a few to pass onto my kids (the old ones had such cooler covers than the newer ones -- it's like the old Scooby Doo compared to A Pup Named Scooby Doo).

Recently, my mom came across this amazing journal in a book store in North Carolina's Outer Banks.

 
 
A group had made journals out of old hardcover books with plain paper and the occasional picture page from within the story. My mom found a Nancy Drew one for me.

I think it's a lovely way to repurpose old books, especially ones that might be partially damaged on the inside. As someone who loves to read in the bath, I have been known to drop a book or two and end up with some messed up pages.

(Note: Don't worry. I don't read with the Kindle in the bath.)

Now, I'm even more inspired to write some scenes for the sequel to my YA book... because now I can write them in the pages of a book that inspired me.

What book would you make into a journal that you loved as a kid?

6 comments:

Stephsco said...

I also loved the Nancy Drew books--I read some of the reissued old classics (like the journal you posted) and then the 80s-90s paperbacks. I would totally use a Nancy Drew journal, or maybe Little Women.

Tia Bach said...

Oh, I love the idea of Little Women. Great pick!

Annette Gendler said...

I love all the creative ways people have found to repurpose old books, although I do love the old books themselves the most! But I do have, for instance, a paper pumpkin "sculpture" made of an old book.

Jo Michaels said...

I could never butcher a book. Never. I have more books than I know what do to with; but if one of them came down sick, I'd send them to a book doctor before desecrating the pages and covers. *shudders* Even the thought of cutting a book up gives me the heebie-jeebies. :( WRITE ON!

Tia Bach said...

Annette -- I agree. Old books are the best.

Jo -- I could never tear up a book that was usable. But I thought the journal was a neat idea for a book that was partially damaged... one most people would throw in the trash. I couldn't stand the thought of a book in a trash pile. ;-(

Unknown said...

I loved Nancy Drew when I was a young girl as well! I thought she was perfect! I thought my daughter would love her as well - but alas she didn't care for the books. Maybe it's a generational thing.