Written by Brenda Nicholas

Like many matters of wisdom, I’m not a bit surprised that the history of book making finds its roots in India. The forefather of the modern book was a pile of dried leaves rubbed with ink and threaded with two long twines fastened to wooden boards. Monks carried these relics to all parts of Asia, and Westerners crafted long texts onto scrolls.

Flash forward to medieval times and books slowly evolved into a form that more closely resembles what we now hold near and dear on our bookshelves—dust and all. It was during the 15th century that books were bound with a spine. Early books were handwritten and hand-sewn.

Book making is a craft that has survived—despite the death of the novel—and it’s even possible to earn an advanced degree in the art of book binding from fine institutions such as the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Establishments such as Lincoln Bookbindery take tremendous pride in the tactile creation of books. In a recent news article about his business, Chris Hohn touches on the craft.

It is Small Press Month, and it doesn’t get much smaller than stitching a spine—one book at a time. If you’re feeling super ambitious today, you could click here for step-by-step instructions on crafting a book, but I’d recommend a strong latte before you set yourself to the task.