Side Staple Method
I got the idea for this method from Mike Twohig and his zine Coldhandsdeadheart. It's probably the most simple way to bind a book, but it can also look great, as you can see from Mikes book's.
I also have to give Mike credit for his comments on the procedure, which helped a lot. Thanks Mike!
You will need to have the pages, as well as front and back cover (I suggest using cover stock for the cover) cut to the size you want the publication to be. You can use a paper trimmer if have access to one, but you'll probably get a sore arm and shoulder quickly. You could just get the copy center to cut the pages for you. This is actually pretty cheap, usually costing one or two dollars per cut per 200 sheets of paper, just ask them to give you a quote on how much more it will cost to get them all cut. If you have the money, you'll be thankful you did afterwards. If you have access to a paper shear, then by all means save some money and use that. Next you'll need to staple the spine. Mike suggests using a heavy duty stapler that can handle more sheets of paper than your usual stapler. I used a regular one (pictured), and I can see how a heavy duty one would come in handy. They cost a little more money, but if your publication is thick (more than 20 sheets of paper, plus cardstock cover) and you plan on doing lots of copies it will save you time and frustration. After you staple near the spine, you next have to tape the spine. I used regular masking tape for this demonstration, but a heavier tape would be recommended. On Coldhandsdeadheart, Mike uses a heavy masking tape used in developing photo's that he buys from an art store. You could also use colored duct tape, or hockey tape. Another idea would be to cut strips of colored or textured paper to the proper size and glue them over the spine. That would look great!
After the tape is on, you just have to trim the excess off and you're done. It's surprisingly simple, and I have no idea why more indie publications aren't bound this way. This is also a good alternative if you have a zine that is getting too big to be saddle stitched.