DIY Literary Décor: How to Turn a Book into a Clock

By FPL_LorrieP

Have you re-read your favorite book numerous times and want to make room on your bookshelf for new items...but you don’t want to get rid of it? I have the solution! Turn that book into a working clock. The perfect accent to make any room feel more literary.

Follow the steps below to turn your book into a working clock:

Supplies Needed: 

• A hardcover book without a jacket (paper cover), that is at least 2 inches thick and has either:
  • An interesting cover or
  • A plain cover that can be decorated 
• A clock mechanism (available in most craft or hobby stores) plus the necessary batteries
• A drill   
• An X-acto knife or scalpel - need a very sharp blade 
• Decorating supplies (if desired) including clock numbers or similar
• Glue

Instructions: 

• Open the book to the first page or another preferred page. Determine where you want to put the clock mechanism, and draw a square about an eighth or a quarter inch bigger than it.

• Take the X-acto knife and cut along the lines of the square you have drawn, until it is deep enough for the mechanism to sit in.

• Flip the cut pages back so that they are up against the inside front cover of the book. Lightly trace the inside of the cut portion to create another square. Place the drill bit in the center of the square, and drill a hole through the front cover, big enough to fit the center rod of the mechanism through.

• Carefully push the rod of the mechanism through the book cover (back to front) and then assemble the clock hands as per the instructions.

• If you wish to add any embellishments (e.g numbers or other items to indicate the 12, 3,6, and 9 o’clock positions, you can do that now.

• Last step is to insert the battery into the mechanism, and you are good to go!