Finally, I had the chance to get some pictures of one of my recent bookbinding projects. I hope you’ll enjoy checking out my rounded spine book. This is very similar to the other hardback book I made – the difference is in the spines.

My next book project will be a chunky book, which means lots and lots of blank pages to fill up. I had already cut the pages and pressed them at my last class so today I choose my decorative paper and started working on the end pages. I decided to use a very colorful Chiyogami paper for the bookcovers and end papers but as it’s pretty thin I had to back it with more paper so it can withstand the glue. Backing the paper meant using Filmoplast and some blank paper and pressing it together with a hot plate to transfer the glue. Very neat.

I finished up class by punching sewing holes through the signatures and end pages, and I left my paper block in a book press until next week when sewing begins (my favorite part).

So that was my bookish day. I’m off to enjoy the latest issue of Bookmarks Magazine which arrived today. By the way, have you guys checked out their web site? They now have most of their reviews archived online. Good to know.

Earlier this year I got an ARC for Missing by Karin Alvtegen which was sent to me by the mystery publisher, Felony & Mayhem. I think I first heard of this publisher via Bas Bleu books and remember adding lots of their mysteries to my wish list. I highly recommend checking both out and I’ll bet you add some books to your wish list too.

Of course I was excited to read the book because aside from enjoying mysteries, if they are in a foreign location even better. Missing is set in Sweden and although I didn’t find it as, say brooding, as other scandinavian mysteries I’ve read, it was still a good one. The main character is a homeless woman and it’s quite a different take from the typical amateur sleuth type mystery. You can read more of my thoughts here.

In keeping with the mystery theme I have a couple of mysteries that are lined up waiting for me and I’m anxious to read. There’s The Eye of Jade by Diane Wei Liang and another title from Felony & Mayhem, A Clubbable Woman by Reginald Hill.

I also finished Dope by Sara Gran recently. I am saving my comments on that one until I meet up with my book group. Let’s just say I liked her other novel Come Closer much more.

Just in case you were wondering, I am reading a new mystery now, and I can’t believe it took me so long to finally “discover” this author. I’m really enjoying A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George. At least it’s great to know that I have a lot more books to look forward to in this series. Actually speaking of great series, I found out that Peter Robinson has a new book coming out soon. Friend of the Devil is 17th in the Inspector Banks series, which I love. I’m up to book 10, so I’m still behind but I like taking my time.