Book Review: Little Book of Book Making {Blogging for Books}

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little book of BOOK MAKING: Timeless techniques and fresh ideas for beautiful handmade books* by Charlotte Rivers, foreword by Esther K. Smith

ISBN: 9780770435141

Hardback, 176 pages

Publisher: Potter Craft/Crown Publishing

Retail: $22.99

About the book:

Making books by hand has never been cooler, with this inspiring guide to 30 top bookmakers working today, plus 21 tutorials for essential techniques to make your own books.

Crafters, artists, writers, and book lovers can't resist a beautifully handbound book. Packed with wonderfully eclectic examples, this book explores the intriguing creative possibilities of bookmaking as a modern art form, including a wide range of bindings, materials, and embellishments. Featured techniques include everything from Coptic to concertina binding, as well as experimental page treatments such as sumi-e ink marbling and wheat paste. In addition to page after page of inspiration from leading contemporary binderies, Little Book of Bookmaking includes a practical section of 21 easy-to-follow illustrated tutorials.

Look inside the book by clicking here.

About the author:

Charlotte Rivers is the author of 14 design books, including Little Book of Letterpress and I *heart* Stationery, and has contributed to numerous magazines, including Cents, Grafik, and Uppercase. She blogs regularly about art and design as Lottie Loves, at www.CharlotteRivers.com

Esther K. Smith, author of How to Make Books, collaborates with typographer Dikko Faust and other artists and writers at Purgatory Pie Press in New York City. Their handmade books have been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. Their artist books are housed in many rare book collections including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum, and the National Gallery of Art. Smith teaches throughout the United States, Canada, and England, and every term at Cooper Union in New York City.

"To receive information about new books, read stories about...authors, and download free projects and patterns, join the CrafterNews community at www.CraftersNews.com" (from the back of the book)

My thoughts:

Such a simple and yet complete book. The small design- dimensions as well as number of pages- I felt to be perfect for the 'art' of book making. Without looking at the table of contents, I noticed that the first 120-some pages are just of other peoples work. The last portion of the book is a how-to, followed by a directory and resources. All-in-all, I am quite happy with the little book. 

I think that a book on book making that wishes to present it as an art form should start out with a showcase of possibilities rather than immediately "this is how you do ..." That isn't what I was truly expecting; but it works wonderfully. For each book that is featured, there is a little note on what section to look at in the "Bookmaking in Practice" portion. Having those initial books presented whet my appetite to make books! 

The "Bookmaking in Practice" section is very well done with clear and direct images and well-written instructions. The directory and resources section I found to be quite beneficial as it includes many websites for shops, suppliers, blogs, and online communities. 

Very good little book. Thank you, Blogging for Books for sending me this book free for the purpose of this review. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.