How to Turn a Book into a Clock

What's now known as a "Literary Clock" is sweeping the Internet and was recently featured in Country Home magazine. Do you have old books sitting around? Books you may never look at again? Are they dusty and falling apart? Turn them into a clock! Have I got a great craft project for you!

What you'll need:

Book - The cover needs to be fairly thin that isn't too busy. You'll want to be able to see the clock on the cover right away when you see the book. Purchase or use an old book, not a brand new book. The story itself won't be usable after this project. Don't do this to your favorite book, unless you've got another copy.

Clock Set - You can purchase these at Michael's Craft Store, Wal-Mart, Dick Blick or your local craft store. They are quite easy to find. They come in several different lengths, be sure that it will fit with the thickness and length of your book.

Numbers - Use buttons, stickered numbers or upholstery tacks to mark the time. Try to choose something that makes the clock stand out, or fits well with the title or look of the book.

Spray Paint (optional) - Choose a color that will look good against the books color. You will be painting the clock hands to best compliment your book. You may decide that the color of your clock set (usually brass or black) is what looks best.

Drill - A drill press is best, or a cordless drill.

Step One

You may choose to remove pages if you'd like to showcase pictures or pages from the book you are making a clock. Be sure to do this before doing anything else with the book. Consider framing these pictures and putting them around the clock if you decide to put it on the wall.

Step Two

Use a straight edge to mark the center of your book. You may choose the put the clock somewhere else other than the center, just be sure that your clock hands will still be on the book, or they may be vulnerable to bending.

Step Three (optional)

Use the spray paint to color the hands and numbers (depending on what you choose to signify the time). Depending on the paint you use, it shouldn't take more than a half hour to dry. One coat should do it.

Step Four

If you have a compass, draw a light line around from the center of your clock to gauge where your numbers will go. Use the long hand to see how far our from the center your numbers will need to be.

Step Five

While your paint is drying, drill a hole into the center of where you set your clock to be. Consult your instructions from the clock set as to what size drill bit to employ.

Step Six

Assemble the clock onto the book as per instructs in your clock kit. Instructions may vary from each kit. Depending on the thickness of your book cover and the clock pieces, you may be able to insert the clock into only the front cover, rather than the entire book (leaving the book still readable).

Step Seven

Stick on the numbers if your clock kit came with them, or use any sort of cool items you could think of. If using upholstery tacks be sure to apply short tacks that won't go through the book. Hammer them in until they are secure.

Use the long hand to gauge where each number (item) should be. Place the 12, 3, 6 and 9 numbers or items that represent those numbers first, and adding the rest of them afterward.

And there you have it. A literary clock!

You may want to hang your new literary clock on the wall, or place it on a book, plate or picture frame stand. Either way, it's sure to be a topic of conversation when company comes.

These clocks are so neat you'll have friend asking you how you did it. Sure you could tell them how to make it, or you could bless them with a new clock (old book). Find out what their favorite book is, and go wild. You can also use an old book that has no title on the front, but only on its spine.

These ought to become a conversation piece in your home:

For the Kitchen:

"The Original Road Kill Cookbook" by Buck Peterson

For the Bathroom:

"Everybody Poops" by Taro Gomi

For the Kids:

"The Cat In The Hat" by Dr. Seuss

For any room:

"How To Read A Book" by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren

Enjoy your literary clock!