1984

Summer Bucket List IN THE FLESH

This summer, I aim to read quite a far few books. Thus far, I am halfway through The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and about to start on a classic--George Orwell's 1984.

About two weeks ago, I was at the local dump-and-take yard (where people leave their perfectly good belongings, and others take them--for free!) and was scouring through the book section in the hope that I would find any of the titles on my Summer Bucket List. Just as I was getting started, the supervisor came through and told me that it was closing time. So, as I went to leave, I stole one last glance at the bookshelves, and lo and behold--1984 was sitting right there!

Now, the book itself was not in great condition. The covers were both dilapidated and rubbed to a pulp, with see-through parts here and there. Tape held the spine together, and there were some obnoxious stains in random places.
But, I was determined that this was the book for me.

So today, I took it upon myself to give the book a little...clean up.

And here is what I came up with--

Using an old Starbucks bag that T. left behind--the kind of bag that is both recycled and durable, I created a sort of cover for the book, protecting its valuable assets!

 Above: FRONT cover, and Below: BACK cover.

I love how the bright greenness of the print is still visible, even though it is on the back. Having a smidge of it on the front teases the observer, making them want to check out the back (at least, it makes me want to do that!).

Then, I used the pages from a copy of the New York Times: Book Review [from July 1st] to cover the inside two pages. I love the irony of the 2012 books juxtaposed on a much older book, especially one titled 1984!

 Above: One of the themes of the NYT:BR was of the complacency of the American Dream. So, I decided to cut out one of the graphics from that article and stick it right on in there to continue the theme of "crowned women"!

Above: the title page, left intact.

Although the obnoxiously random stains still exist--

--and the pages are still looking a little dilapidated, the book definitely looks a little better to me!

Plus, now I'll be able to chuck it in my bag in Paris and won't be worried that it is gonna fall apart into a million, classic-literature-joy pieces!

Got to love book-redo's!
Now I'm off to read the thing!
What has your summer day held?
Send some mail--read some books--
        ~ Ms. Always Traveling