Heard a customer at the library call a paperback 'just a glued block' and it got me

I was picking up a book from the local library in Springfield and this guy next to me was talking to his friend, holding a cheap paperback. He said, 'It's fine, it's just a glued block of paper, who cares if it falls apart.' I almost turned around and gave him a whole speech, lmao. It made me think about how most people don't see the craft at all, they just see a thing to read. I spent like three hours yesterday fixing the spine on a 1950s cookbook, sewing new signatures and everything. That 'glued block' comment stuck with me all day. It's not anger, it's more like a funny reminder of why we do this kinda niche thing. Has anyone else had a moment where someone's total lack of knowledge about binding made you chuckle?

2 comments

2 Comments

troy_adams6d ago

Man, I used to think like that too. Then I tried rebinding a cheap paperback and realized how much work goes into even the simple ones, lol. That guy has no idea.

felixw686d ago

Oh man, wait until you try fixing a broken spine!