| “In a word, literature is my Utopia. Here I am not disfranchised. No barrier of the senses shuts me out from the sweet, gracious discourse of my book-friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness. The things I have learned and the things I have been taught seem of ridiculously little importance compared with their ‘large loves and heavenly charities.’” ― Helen Keller, The Story of My Life Reading Woman Notecard Set“I like reading books in the bulk.”
—Virginia Woolf Is there any greater pleasure than sitting comfortably with a good book? The reading woman has appeared as a subject of great art for centuries around the world. This beguiling set of notecards features four captivating images of women reading: Reading, by Alberto Pisa; Alice in Wonderland, by George Dunlop Leslie; A Russian Folk Tale, by Leonid and Olga Tikhomirov; and Woman Reclining on a Bench, by Carl Olof Larsson. Silence Please MugA polite exhortation, “silence please,” appears beneath the English Gothic arch at the entrance to the Bodleian Old Library. Another appears in the library’s fifteenth-century courtyard. In fact, these signs are presented at every entrance to the Bodleian, one of Europe’s oldest libraries and the main research library at the University of Oxford. A reminder of the sanctity of scholarship and the quiet passion of booklovers, this bone china mug is an ode to one of the world’s most famous temples of literature. This mug makes the perfect desk accessory for the Anglophile or gift for those seeking to bring home the tranquility of an Oxford library. Made in Staffordshire exclusively for the Bodleian Libraries. | Instead of a Card:
Ten Poems about Hope “Ten Poems about Hope” is a title in the “Instead of a Card” series, based on the idea that sending a greeting card is a lovely gesture, and sending a booklet of poetry an even more meaningful one. We couldn’t survive without hope—that light at the end of the tunnel which seems to promise “this will pass” when times are hard. These poems offer hope in a whole range of guises—from the uplift of the first signs of spring to the infectious optimism of a child who believes he will live forever if he eats his greens. | Langston Hughes Necklace“We have tomorrow
Bright before us
Like a flame”—Langston Hughes, “Youth” These words from the poet Langston Hughes are stamped on three slender pendants on this delicate yet modern necklace. | James Thurber Reading Dog PinWhat a pedigree: not only is this pup featured on the cover of James Thurber’s book of New Yorker cartoons, he or she also appeared on posters advertising a major exhibition at the Columbus Museum of Art . | “If You Have a Garden and a Library” Tea TowelThis stylish tea towel features a quote from Cicero: “If you have a garden and a library you have everything you need.” | USA Writers and Characters Mug The Scottish company that makes our other literary mugs has finally turned their gaze across the pond to create a Writers and Characters Mug featuring American authors. These heirloom-quality bone china mugs are decorated with engaging illustrations depicting more than forty-six famous writers and their fictional creations. | County Library: We Want One PaperweightThis glass paperweight reproduces a 1928 photograph now in the collection of the Library of Congress. The photo captures the longing of a rural community for a permanent library and memorializes early bookmobiles. | Wearable LED Reading LightThe New York Times Wirecutter chose this as the #1 pick for a wearable reading light. It’s comfortable, hands-free, and rechargeable. The light beam is restricted to the target area; it can be bright enough for your reading and at the same time dim enough not to disturb others nearby. | Women Who Changed the World Tote Bag From secret agents, scientists, and suffragists to politicians, presidents, and paleontologists—and of course writers—this amazingly detailed design celebrates women who have had a significant impact on the world, from Ancient Egypt to the present day. | Beneath My Feet Beneath My Feet: Writers on Walking rounds up the most memorable walker-writers from the 1700s to the modern day, from country hikers to urban strollers, from the rationalists to the truly outlandish. Follow in the footsteps of William Hazlitt, George Sand, Rebecca Solnit, Will Self, and dozens of others. Keep up with them—and be astonished. | Untranslatable Words Cards Some of the most fascinating words in other languages describe powerful feelings that no English word can quite capture. This inspiring set of cards matches twenty of these untranslatable words with evocative images to make a thoughtful gift for language lovers, word nerds, and all curious individuals, encouraging us to reflect on the splendor of vocabulary and the emotions. | Bah Humbug Notecards We’re beginning to think of these holiday cards as “all occasion.” These cards are exquisite; their endearingly grumpy message is rendered in a beautiful red, a beautiful font. The letterpress studio that makes these beautiful cards—in business for more than twenty years in Portland, Oregon—has always taken a green approach to manufacturing. | Banned Books SocksThese unisex cotton blend socks are mismatched. One sock displays the titles of fifty famous banned books; the other sock lists the same titles, only redacted with a black bar. Choose between adult small and adult large sizes. | Frida Kahlo Watermelon Silk Chiffon Scarf The vibrant watermelon pattern on this scarf is taken from Viva la Vida, Watermelons, the last painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907–1954). Kahlo is celebrated around the world for her outspoken advocacy for women, people with disabilities, and indigenous people, especially those of her native Mexico. | “yes I said yes I will Yes” is the memorable closing line of James Joyce’s Ulysses. Spoken by Molly Bloom, it concludes her soliloquy with a powerful affirmation of life and resolve to embrace it. We’ve put this quote on the inside of one of our sterling silver cuffs as a little “secret” message (or a reminder to oneself). Every bracelet is individually made by an artist in the New York City area. Each letter is stamped, then the silver is oxidized, hand-sanded, and polished. | Jane Austen Characters MugThese heirloom-quality bone china mugs are decorated with humorous illustrations depicting more than forty of the central characters from Austen’s six major works: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, Emma, and Northanger Abbey. | Janet All-Occasion Greeting Cards
by Glen Baxter Over four decades and a multitude of books, “Colonel” Glen Baxter has built a world and a language all his own—slightly familiar, decidedly abnormal, irresistibly funny. Baxter’s drawings are a delicious stew of adventure novels, highbrow hijinks, and outright absurdity. | Introduce young ones (ages birth and up) to a world of literature with these cheerful, colorful, and humorous board books, bundled together in an “I Love Books” canvas tote. The ten books include four classics from the wildly popular BabyLit series, two volumes from BabyLit Shakespeare, and four from BabyLit Little Poets. Lively illustrations beautifully illustrate the text. Babies, toddlers, preschoolers—and adults—will be charmed by this irresistible set. The books will see a young child through many years. | Pure Cotton Correspondence Pad and Envelopes Most pure white paper is made using bleach and/or fluorescent whiteners, but Pure Cotton is made without the use of chemicals, with a soft woven finish and watermark. The pad contains fifty sheets of paper and is accompanied by twenty-five envelopes. Made in Belgium. | Bodleian Libraries
Silk Chiffon Scarf This beautifully made silk chiffon scarf features an artful montage of Victorian and Edwardian books with enchanting period titles, collated by the Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries. The spines, covers, and typefaces of these vintage books are delightful period pieces. | Women Who Changed the World MugThese heirloom quality bone china mugs are decorated with engaging illustrations depicting more than forty remarkable women. Made in a factory in Scotland by a family business run by three generations of women. | “WHERE IS THE LIBRARY?” Language Pencils This set of blue pencils with black lead is imprinted with the all-important query “WHERE IS THE LIBRARY?” in five different languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German. | Booklover’s Holiday Cards Share the joy of the season with this holiday card showcasing a historic poster created for a WPA Library Project, circa 1936–1940. The words and image express the happiest of thoughts: “A Year of Good Reading Ahead.” | David Levine Illustrations from the pages of The New York Review of BooksA print of a favorite writer, artist, historical figure, or personal hero makes a thoughtful gift for anyone on your list—or a striking addition to your own home or office decor. We offer framed prints of the hundreds of caricatures by celebrated artist David Levine that enriched the pages of The New York Review of Books for more than four decades. Choose among writers, artists, composers, poets, musicians, politicians, historical figures, pop personalities, and more. Pictured here are some of our favorite New Yorkers. Clockwise from left: Edith Wharton, Simone de Beauvoir, Nathalie Sarraute, Adrienne Monnier, Margaret Fuller, Marina Tsvetaeva |
