Let's not let custom PCB creation or surface soldering intimidate us. There are many projects out there waiting for a chance, and they only require basic tools. One of them is the LED lamp hidden inside an old book, published by 'lonesoulsurfer' on Instructables. We only need eight components in total, and as always, the room for improvisation is quite wide.
Whether the idea is to accent small details or light an entire room, the number one recommendation these days is the LED strip. With different formats and lengths available, it's most likely we'll find the exact solution for any project, but this time, the truth is we don't need too much. The plan is to turn an old book into an LED lamp, just as 'lonesoulsurfer' did on Instructables. And if the chosen book is more or less small, a couple of cuts on a single strip should be enough.
Creating a 'Hidden' LED Lamp Inside a Book
Now, I know many people don't like performing this kind of 'surgery' on a book, but the idea is to use something too common or of little value. The only recommendation from 'lonesoulsurfer' is that it has a hardcover, an essential aspect for its long-term durability.
Besides the book and the 5-volt LED strips, you'll need wood for the internal structure, a piece of opaque acrylic or similar, glue, some wire, and some kind of connector to power the LED strip (here it uses a USB Type-C port). Another optional but definitely interesting element is the motor PWM controller, used as a "dimmer/switch".
Separating the book from its cover is not complicated, to say the least. The thickness of the pages serves as a reference to cut the wood and prepare the structure, but you don't need to create an exact rectangle. The most complicated part of the project is bending the acrylic piece 90 degrees to follow the book's shape, while also serving as a diffuser. A quick dose of heat should be enough, but don't overdo it here.
The rest is a matter of preparing the connectors, gluing the LED strips, finishing the connections, and adding some material in the center so the book isn't too light. 'lonesoulsurfer' decided to cut the pages, but nothing stops us from using more wood. A good amount of glue to seal everything, and the lamp is done.
Obviously, the lamp can be bigger or more compact, the USB Type-C port is just one connection possibility among many, and the dimmer can be omitted in favor of a more traditional switch.
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