Today I broke the screen on my CyBook. I can't even blame anyone for it, there was an odd corner protruding from my backpack, so I forcefully relocated the rogue item to the interior of the pack, thinking it was a textbook--big mistake.

Not sure if I'm going to pay bookeen to replace the screen, or just get a new reader, but thats not what this post is about.

I decided that when I do have a reader to protect, I am not going to trust any protective cases for it--I am going to make my own. I don't think it is necessary that the case conform to the reader, most reading takes place in a pretty safe environment, its transport that I'm worried about.

I want to make a hollow book as described here:
http://how2dostuff.blogspot.com/2006/02/how-to-make-secret-hollow-book.html

My question to all of you is, what book should I use? It doesn't have to be inconspicuous, just hardcover. I want something fitting, something symbolic--or at least intelligent, of all the information carried within. I was originally going to find a copy of Simmulacra and Simulations, which is the book that Neo hollowed out in the Matrix, but its impossible to find in hardcover.

I found a copy of one called Wireless when I did mine (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?p=50275#post50275).

I'd suggest you head to Half-Price Books (or your local equivalent) and look at the clearance shelf -- mine cost me a dollar. :D

I'd also suggest (if you can get hold of one) using a RotoZip type tool to do the page cutting. If I make any more, that's what I plan to do: it'd turn several hours work into just a few minutes, and give neater results, I expect.

I know that Pier One, Hobby Lobby etc. make wooden cases/boxes that are painted to look like books. It depends on how hardcore you want to go on protection!

Nice! (and I thought my idea was original)

I think i'm going to slip an elastic band between some pages when I glue them together, so that I can wrap the book moleskine style... that or embed some magnets in either side of the closing-side.

I suppose I'll go find a cheap assortment so I can select one to massacre, still--I'd rather find a title that is fitting. A clever way of saying "there's more in this book than you might think"

... that or embed some magnets in either side of the closing-side.I actually did that, but I used that magnetic tape stuff, so it doesn't hold all that well.

If I had it to do over again, I'd put good, strong magnets in the "pages" and a piece of steel in the cover, I think it would hold better with the right magnet/steel combination. :shrug:

I tried velcro too, but I couldn't come up with an arrangement that I liked -- they all made the cover rise up.

The strap is a dandy idea, you could put it between the back cover and the pages, that ought to hold it nice and firmly. :yes:

I think the protective case that was made from a book described in this thread is really beautiful!

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17437