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One of the first books on making books I ever bought was Shereen LaPlantz’s Cover to Cover. I still refer to it — and share it — especially when someone newish to bookmaking asks me about making a book for a particular purpose. The instructions and diagrams are clear and there are lots of photos of finished examples.
 Recently I got Esther K. Smith’s How to Make Books. It’s a quirkier, more up-to-date complement to LaPlantz’s book. And I’ll be keeping it in my library for sharing with others when they’re looking for book ideas. It starts with “instant books” made from a single sheet of paper and moves on to accordions and sewn bindings. There are lots of photos and examples, and the diagrams are colorful and fun. An added bonus: hard bookboard covers that are de-bossed and wonderfully tactile.
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I always find such interesting things here. Thanks for doing all of the leg work for me!
I felt exactly the same way about Cover to Cover, although peculiarities of scale in some of the diagrams made me a little crazy. After I got more experience with the forms, it all seemed so clear, but at the time ….
The author was dying at the time I first became acquainted with her books. She sometimes posted very candidly about her health. Many people were saddened by her death.
Alyssa Golden’s three books are also a great pleasure to swim around in.
Thanks for the review. These books are both good gift ideas for my sister Angie for Christmas. 🙂