Bookbinding is a very accessible hobby. There is almost no specialty equipment that is mandatory, except decent PVA/Eva glue. Just sharp blades, rulers. Everything else can be scavenged. I’ve made many hardcover notebooks. I am fond of A5 and A6 form factors, or passport-sized notebooks.

Btw does anyone know where I could find high quality trapper-keeper style hardware in smaller factors (like a5)