Oh totally! I used to see them as just the cheapest bunk but now I love the extra cash for food and tours. Last trip, the money I saved on a dorm for a week paid for my train ticket to the next town. It let me stretch two weeks into three. Honestly some of my best trip memories started in those shared rooms.

Those old book repairs you mentioned are a perfect example. I've had to fix similar issues with animal glue failing.