an important psa

This is a washing machine. (though not mine)
This is a book.  A book I loved dearly.
This is the book I loved dearly after a trip through a washing machine (mine this time).  That is not a tampon with it, it is all that's left of the gluey spine.
This is the mess that is created when you discover that you have washed a book in your washing machine, start to cuss profusely, cry a little when you find the wet, bedraggled cover and truly understand the paper carnage.
This is the clean, fluffy paper down that now covers all of your winter socks, mittens, gloves, hats and scarves after you wash the book you dearly love in your washing machine.

The lesson:

Never throw a pile of clothes in the washer without checking it for foreign objects and don't wash your books in the washing machine.

That is all.