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It is extremely heartbreaking to see your favorite book getting damaged or, worse, soaked with water. As readers, we are habituated to carrying books everywhere we go.

Often, this habit costs us big when the book falls from our hands accidentally, and we bend down to pick it up only to find the book damaged, torn, or wet.

Dealing with a damp book is challenging as it is entirely damaged, including the pages, cover, and ink. Mold is another major hazard to a wet book, and it starts growing within 24-48 hours.

Immediate steps should be taken to prevent the wet book from worsening if you want to preserve it.

Hi! I am Priyanka from Hooked to Books, and as a reader, I can say from my personal experience how heart-wrenching it was to see my favorite books soaking wet with water dripping from the edges.

I was quick enough to take the necessary steps to save my books from further damage. Today, I will share the step-by-step guide on how to save a wet book, so if anyone here faces a similar situation, they can immediately act on it.

So, let’s get started, shall we?

How to Save a Wet Book by Using Different Methods?

If you’re reading in a bathtub, near a beach, or drinking coffee, tea, or water while holding a book, there are high chances that the book might slip from your hands or the drink might spill all over it, leaving you with a soaked book.

Every reader will want to avoid this situation, but sometimes it just happens, right?

Do not worry! Several methods are available that you can use if your book is wet and you want it back as it was before.

Have a look at the methods listed below, along with the step-by-step guide!

1. Wipe the Water

This works when the book is not completely soaked with water. Books with spillage or half-soaked pages can be restored by this method.

Step 1: If your book is half soaked with water or you have spilled something on it, simply shake the book side by side to remove any remaining water.

Step 2: The next step is to remove any dirt or debris from the book. If the book fell on dirty water, dirt might have stuck to the inside pages. Use your fingers or tweezers to pluck out the debris.

If the book is fully soaked, carefully dip it in clean water and pull it out slowly. Do it twice or thrice to remove the dirt without further damage.

Step 3: Now wipe the pages and cover of the book gently using a clean white cloth or white paper towel. Do not rub the book with the cloth; it might tear the pages off; instead, use the cloth to tap the wet portions and apply pressure on it.

Or you can place rags between the pages for a while and then take them out. Continue this to remove water from the book thoroughly. Once done, dab the front and back cover to prevent mold growth and damage.

Paperback books need extra care than hardbacks.

2. Freeze Dry

Freeze-dry is a method you can use if your book is entirely soaked with water.

Step 1: Place the book on top of a white towel or absorbent sheet of paper. Let the water drain from one side before changing to the other. Replace the sheet with a new one if it is fully soaked. Shake the water off if the book is slightly damp.

Step 2: To remove any remaining water, place the absorbent paper between the pages and covers and leave it there for a while so it will absorb fully. Use blank absorbent sheets and towels to avoid any designs and letters bleeding onto the book.

Step 3: Put the wet book into a plastic bag and seal it. Do not seal it tightly; leave spaces so air can pass through. Place the covered book in the freezer separately, away from food items.

Step 4: Leave it inside the freezer for a week or two. The duration depends on the length of the book. A book with many pages will need more time than a short one.

Step 5: After taking out the sealed book from the freezer, wipe any water or ice from the plastic. Remove the book from the plastic cover and check if it is fully dry. This method helps to prevent tearing and wrinkling.

3. Dry With a Fan or Hair Dryer

You can dry damp books by using a fan or hair dryer.

Using a Fan: Firstly, remove water from the book by shaking or wiping. Then, place the damp book near a ceiling or table fan. Spread the book slightly, place it in front of the fan, and turn the pages to dry all the wet areas. Keep the fan speed low or medium to avoid damaging and tearing.

Using a Hair Dryer: This step also requires to remove the water from the soaked book. Then, place the book over a towel or cloth and open it. Angle your hair dryer from a safe distance and start drying the pages one by one. Ensure the temperature setting is correct to prevent any damage.

After drying, you can place a heavy item on top of the book, such as a paperweight or heavy book, and leave it for a few hours as it will remove any wrinkles.

Wind-Up

Readers are bound to deal with situations when their books get damaged due to water or any other reasons. When a book is soaked with water, it needs extra care while drying.

I hope this article on how to save a wet book helped you understand the various methods that can be used to fix a book’s condition.

Do you know any other methods to save a wet book from damage? Share them in the comments section.

Are you a reader who likes to store memories of the books you’ve read? Or do you prefer to keep a record of everything?

Try using a journal! But how about making the process more creative and fun?

A junk journal is the best solution. You can recycle papers, craft materials, and stationeries to create a junk journal. It’s a good way to reduce waste, along with adding a creative element to your objects.

Hi! I am Priyanka from Hooked to Books, and today, I’ll help you learn how to make a junk journal by using simple steps.

I enjoy making junk journals! I have two: one for keeping a record of the books I’ve read and another for storing the best moments of my life.

So, without further delay, let’s get started with the post!

What is Junk Journal?

A Junk Journal is a handmade book or journal created using recycled papers, ephemera, and other craft materials. You can use it for various purposes, such as to record book-related things or as an art journal, planner, scrapbook, etc.

You can ‘DIY junk journal’ by simply using all your craft resources that otherwise might have been in the dustbin.

Once you learn how to make a junk journal, the execution is easy, and you can also be innovative by giving a personal touch.

How to Make a Junk Journal?

Let’s start with the basic steps to make a junk journal. I have added the required materials and instructions separately for clear understanding.

Required Materials

Check out the list of materials you will need before getting started with the process.

• Cardstock/Cardboard
• Papers (Both regular, unused, and fancy)
• Craft Needle
• Glue/Tape
• Binding Thread
• Awl/Screwdriver
• Cutting Tools (Scissors, Paper Trimmer, ruler)
• Paperclips
• Decorative tools

Step-by-Step Guide

These are the steps you need to follow to create your own junk journal:

Step 1: Gather the Materials

The very first step is to gather all the required materials in one place and separate them accordingly to avoid clutter.

Now, get only those materials required to finish the next step, i.e., to make the outer cover.

Step 2: Make the Outer Cover

Open the cardboard box and flatten it completely. Decide the shapes that will become your journal’s outer and inner covers. If you want to add a flap, leave an extra half-cut shape.

Cut all the chosen shapes (leave extra folds) and glue them together using the folds to strengthen the spine. Later, remove any extra folds and fold it into a book shape. You can wrinkle or crease the edges to give it a vintage look.

If you do not want to use cardboard, simply use an old book’s hardcover. Remove the pages carefully, and glue colorful pages on the inside cover to make it pretty. Wrap a beautiful cover on the front and back, and the outer cover of your journal is ready.

Step 3: Decorate the Cover

Now, you can use your creativity to decorate the cover from inside and outside. Either you can wrap it with a pretty cover or paint it. You can also stick pictures or anything related on the front cover. Or can also write something on the front that represents you or your journal.

Step 4: Creation of Pages

When the cover is done, measure the height and width of the outer cover and collect all the pages you want to include in your journal. The pages can be of any color, type, size, and weight. Using varied types of pages gives a unique look to the book.

Once you have gathered all the pages (depending on how thick you want your journal to be), cut them 1cm less from the noted size of the cover. So, all the pages will be inside, giving an appropriate look to the journal.

Next, fold all the pages in half and assemble them on top of the inside cover of the journal.

Step 5: Binding

The binding process might sound difficult, but it’s not. Follow the steps correctly, and you are good to go.

Use the paper clips to secure the cover and papers together during binding. Evenly mark three dots on the inside and outside covers, and using the awl, make holes through the cover and papers together at the marked slots.

You can use a ribbon or colorful fabric to thread your needle. Insert the needle through the center hole and push back from the bottom hole, again push through the mid hole and then through the top hole, and finally tie a knot in the middle.

Suppose you are using the old hardcover of a book as your journal cover. In that case, one simple way to bind is to either glue the middle section of all the pages together and then stick it to the spine or take a ribbon/colorful fabric and place it along the center of the spine (with all the pages properly placed on the top) and tie a knot in the middle securely.

Step 6: Add a Personal Touch

Finally, when the binding is over and your journal is ready, you can add your creativity to make it prettier. Use the leftover craft resources to add pockets, tags, flaps, and more! As it is a junk journal, you can add whatever you want.

Step 7: Tie a Ribbon

For the last touch, you can tie a ribbon on the journal. The first option is to tie it through the spine. Another method is to glue the middle of the back cover, stick the ribbon on that area, and tie it securely when closing the journal.

Different Ways of Using a Junk Journal

Junk journals can be used in various ways, depending on the person using them. I have listed a few ways you can use them; have a look!

Regular Journal

A regular journal is used for recording everyday stuff of life. You can either use it to write about your day or vent your feelings. People also use it more creatively by displaying little bits of their lives, such as tags from the things they bought, a receipt from a cafe they went to with a friend, etc.

Memory Book

Using it as a memory book is a great way to store your special moments of life. Things you can reminisce about in the later years of your life. Or you can use it to showcase the memories of a person. How about displaying your parents and grandparents’ lives through a handmade journal?

Theme Book

Many also use these journals as theme books. It’s more fun to add a specific theme to your journal, for example, a junk journal with a gardening theme, including content, decoration, everything.

Art Journal

People with artistic talents can use junk journals as their art journals. They can display their best paintings or showcase their art supplies innovatively.

Gifts

If you know someone who likes crafty things, then gifting a junk journal to them would be a great idea. You can also make it more personalized and relatable according to that person. Christmas, birthdays, and graduations are suitable occasions for gifting journals.

Planner

If you work with a planner or always refer to your to-do list for daily/weekly tasks, then a junk journal can be helpful. Either make the journal in a calendar format or simply use it to record and track your projects.

Wind Up

Did you like this idea of junk journals? Making a junk journal will bring out your creativity and come in handy for various purposes. I hope this article on how to make a junk journal was helpful.

So, grab the supplies and bring out your ingenious mode now!

Use your unused craft materials and tools to create a beautiful junk journal!

New Year is a chance for us to start over again, set new goals for the next 12 months, and try to tick them off the list.

As a reader, I always make resolutions based on my interest in books and reading. This New Year, I’ve made a list of resolutions I want to achieve by the end of the year and reflect upon my overall growth.

The best way to make resolutions is to analyze your performance in the current year and take the initiative to do better in the upcoming year. However, you must understand that resolutions are for improvement and growth, so don’t be disheartened if you cannot accomplish everything from the checklist.

Hi! I am Priyanka from Hooked to Books, and today, I will be listing 10 New Year Resolutions for book lovers in 2024.

If you are an avid reader and want to set some resolutions for 2024, then you are in the right place. Stay with me throughout the article to learn more!

10 New Year Resolutions for Bibliophiles

Setting resolutions can be perplexing for many. Have a look at the list of 10 New Year’s resolutions for bibliophiles for 2024!

1. Find more time to Read

Making time to read between our day-to-day hectic schedules is tough. You can set a goal to read for one hour before going to bed or during your day breaks, as this helps to maintain the habit of reading and achieve your goals for the year.

2. Read More Books

Set a goal to read as many books as possible. This is one of the popular New Year resolutions chosen by readers. If you read two books in four months, try to ace up your game by reading one book per month. Not only will this increase the number of books you read, but it also holds your reading interest, therefore less chances of reading slump.

3. Join a Book Club

Book Club gives good exposure to all the readers and is also a place where you can share your opinions about books, authors, and more.

It is a fun place where everyone reads the same book, participates in book-related activities, and offers you the opportunity to be a part of a like-minded community.

Overall, book clubs are excellent, and every reader should definitely join.

4. Explore Various Genres

I understand that everybody has their comfort genre or genres, but this year, you can set a goal to explore several genres.

Sometimes, we miss on treasures only because we’re reluctant to leave our comfort space.

All literary genres have their own characteristics, and after exploring, you may find some new favorite genres.

5. Organize your Bookshelf or Create a Book Space

Every reader’s bookshelf is cluttered with books, merchandise, bookmarks, or papers. We would rather read than organize our bookshelves, but this new year, make a resolution to declutter your shelves and arrange them properly. You can also decorate them.

People who were thinking of creating a book space can execute it this year and have a book nook of their own!

6. Track your Reads

At the end of the year, we like to look back and count the number of books we finished reading throughout the year. Now, this can be done by keeping track of the books you’re done reading.

There are book-tracking apps you can use, such as Goodreads. Knowing the total number of books you’ve read makes you feel better and also motivates you to read more.

7. Read Daily

If you’re trying to adopt the habit of reading daily but failing to do so, make it your New Year resolution. For example, a resolution to read one chapter daily or read for one hour every day.

This will increase your daily reading capacity and help you accomplish your desired reading goals. Daily reading enhances knowledge and vocabulary and is also a good exercise for the brain.

8. Read From Your TBR Pile

Is your TBR section piled with a plethora of books and giving you stress? This year, you can make a resolution to read books only from your TBR pile. Or you can set a goal to read one book from the TBR pile every two months.

This is the best way to finish your TBR books, read more throughout the year, and spend less on books.

9. Befriend Book Lovers

Readers always want to discuss books, but they cannot do so with every other person they meet. Befriending other bibliophiles is a great idea, as you can talk about books and gather extra knowledge regarding the same.

Libraries, book clubs, and webinars are good places to be friends with people who like to read.

10. Decrease Screen Time

Excess screen time can harm our eyes and also hamper our imagination power. Hence, rather than spending a lot of time in front of a screen, you can pick a book to read.

After a busy day at work where you continuously stare at the screen of your computer, it’s better to spend some time reading for relaxation instead of staring at your smartphone.

Wrap-Up

Making New Year resolutions is fun and helps to attain the discipline of working toward the decided tasks and completing them within the timeline. It’s your effort and growth that counts despite the result of whether you were able to complete the assignment or not.

I hope this post on 10 New Year Resolutions for Book Lovers in 2024 was useful to you. Make a list of resolutions of your own before the year begins!

What are your New Year Resolutions for 2024? Tell me in the comments below!