In an attempt not to stray into any Mockingjay spoilers online, I’m composing this post to distract me, and to keep me from opening a certain file that is, erm, burning a hole in my hard drive, so to speak… I can’t wait to get my copy of Mockingjay tomorrow, but in the meantime, here’s something I discovered over the weekend: paper book covers!
There was a sale at a one-price Japanese store and my sibs and I wanted to go because we were expecting to take home a huge haul. The sale turned out to be bitterly disappointing, but I hated going all the way out there for nothing! There were a bunch of sorry looking bargain bins which contained weird odds and ends — miniature bundt tins, plastic flowers, fleecy headbands, and other remnants — and I was halfheartedly rooting in one of the bins when I found some packs of paper book covers for only P25 (about $0.50) each, so I went from bin to bin and came up with four packs.
When I got around to opening them later, I realized they’re a weird size — smaller than mass market paperback, like gift book size. I figured I’d have at least one book in that size so I scoured my shelves, and after some trials I finally found a book that fit.
So here’s the first type of book cover, the patterned one, which comes in a set of five per pack. This reminds me of the jackets they wrap books in at Kinokuniya.
Position the book in the center
Insert covers into the flaps
Fold down the excess edges
Et voila! Instant dust jacket.
And here’s the other design.
I found another type of paper book cover, this time, a lovely blue textured one (like snakeskin!), and it took me a while to figure out how to put it together, but it looks great in the end!
Two separate sheets of paper, and then some string
Insert front cover in corresponding flap
Insert back cover in the flap of the shorter sheet
Insert other side of the shorter sheet into the flap in which the front cover is inserted.
Fold over the excess, and then tie it up!
Nifty, huh? I love Japanese ingenuity when it comes to inventing things. It’s only frustrating that both types of covers were such a tiny size! I’d love to get my hands on bigger ones for my jacketless hardcovers. I do hope someone (paging Iya, wink wink) introduces these things to the local market! I’d definitely go out and buy a whole bunch!
[amazonify]::omakase::300:250[/amazonify]
Oh, pretty. I like my book covers, but maybe I can use these on my journals? [Then again, I like my journal covers, haha. — So maybe, I’ll just hoard them. ;p] Where’d you get them? I mean, which store exactly? Then again, I’m sure naubos mo na, hehe.
I do like my book covers as well, haha. I think this will come in handy for when I give books as gifts. :) Or just as extra protection from dust when I’m storing them, because I’m OC that way.
They’re from Saizen at Robinsons Galleria, btw.
I like the last 2 blue ones. I didn’t go to Saizen. Got scared I will lose my life savings on little, useless things.
You wouldn’t have lost your life savings, the sale selection was just a small square at the edge of the food court and the items were quite limited. My sister, who is the ultimate wasteland whore (hahahaha!) was all geared up for the sale (she even packed several reusable bags), did not even buy anything.
i love anything japanese! those are great finds, blooey!
Thanks Aloi. I try to channel you whenever I do these types of posts :D
I like the last one :)
I really want to go to the launch party on Sunday but I have work so I’ll most probably be there at around 3pm. Will the programs be finished by then? :(
I think the LARP will probably start at 3pm. See you there, Krissy :)
Maybe I’ll drop by Saizen this 29th before heading for LARP! Hoping there’s still Book Covers like the last one! Awesome finds, bloo!
there are some at regular price, like notebook-sized plastic covers
hehe book covers are pretty common here they have the typical store ones which is just paper and they ask you if you want a cover. I do admit it is useful when you have those embarassing romance covers that you dont want people to see, when you’re reading in the train.. most paperback novels here are smaller than the english paperback ones more squarish.
i wish the bookstores here would do that too. save me some pretty ones, ok?
Blooey, they are adorable! I want some for notebooks! And if I ever find a supplier, rest assured you’ll be the first to know ;-)
Squee!!! Thanks Iya!
hi blooey,
when i was still in manila, i always go to japan home shop? for those cool paper gift wrappers. I use them to wrap my books- mostly paperbacks. and they look just like the ones you’ve done- and about any size.
i’ll do a video of that this week and will send you a vid…
I like book covers so I don’t tend to wrap them in anything other than plastic. But oh, perhaps the racy novels could do with an extra layer of wrapping :D
Do send me the link :)