In this article, we’re sharing our favourite games. Whether you’re looking for games like Scrabble or want to change it up with new options like League of Lexicon, we have something for everyone. This list has quick, kid-friendly games and challenging ones, too.

Read more: 10 Narrative Video Games for Book Lovers

What are the best word board games?

From word tile games to quirky board games, check out the best word games for adults and children.

We have fun options for language nerds, people looking to improve grammar skills, and anyone who enjoys a head-scratcher.

1. League of the Lexicon

Are you a language lover or someone who likes a good challenge? League of the Lexicon is a word quiz game with 2,000 questions across five categories born from an incredibly successful Kickstarter. There are two difficulty levels with questions created by linguists and lexicographers worldwide.

League of the Lexicon is for 2-6 players and is the perfect game for ages 10 and up. Each game lasts up to 45 minutes, where you’ll scratch your head at word meanings and usage and enjoy unique hand-drawn illustrated cards.

They also have some fun expansion packs if you want to expand your knowledge further.

Buy the League of the Lexicon here

2. Bananagrams

If you’re looking for a quick, kid-friendly game that’s also ideal to take on the go, Bananagrams is it. Letter tiles come in a banana-shaped case, and that’s all you need! Bananagrams is for 1-8 players, 7 years and older.

A perfect party game that is like Scrabble but quicker and easier, to play. Players build words, and the first to use all their tiles to create words is declared the top banana, one game can take as little as a few minutes.

Buy Bananagrams here

3. Boggle

If you’re looking for word games like Bananagrams, Boggle is a classic. You can play it solo or with friends by trying to find words before they do, this is always a hit with families because it’s fun for everyone with no difficult rules to learn,

With Boggle, you shake a grid to mix up letter cubes, then lift the lid and find as many words as you can. Boggle is a fun game for anyone 8 years and older and is also small enough to travel with. A 3-minute sand timer is used for each game.

Buy Boggle here

4. Scrabble 

Scrabble is a classic crossword board game, everyone has heard of it, and there are so many different versions at this point that you can tailor your experience to your interests. The traditional game comes with a board and letter tiles that make scoring easy and also has 4 tile racks for each possible player.

This is one of the best at-home word board games to play for a game night with family or friends. Spend up to half an hour building words, earning points, and changing things up with different ways to play. 

Buy Scrabble here

Read More: 22 Unique Bookish Gifts

5. Codenames

If you’re looking for a challenging word board game that anyone can play, Codenames is a fun one. Two players are the rival spymasters who know game agents’ secret identities. The other players only know the agents’ codenames.

Compete to see who can make contact with all your agents first, while spymasters give one-word clues. Codenames works best with at least 4 players, ages 10 and older, but they do have a Codenames Duo option which is great for couples and smaller groups.

Each game lasts about 15 minutes and is fun to play many times.

Buy Codenames here

6. Dixit

Dixit is a magical storytelling board game for players 8 years and older. The game has 84 cards with original artwork that brings out your imagination and inspires conversation and whimsy.

When it’s your turn, you’ll use a word or short phrase to describe your card. Each player will choose a card of their own that best matches this word. All cards go in a pile, and the player who guesses your card gets a point. It’s simple, fun, and easy to play many times.

One game takes about half an hour, and 6-8 players can join. There are lots of gorgeous expansion packs available to enhance your game or even themed games like Disney Dixit which makes a fun change.

Buy Dixit here

7. Scattergories

Scattergories is the best word board game for a group challenge. It’s straightforward, but players must think fast to choose words that fit a category to earn points.

The more creative your answers are, the more points you get, you can showcase your knowledge and out-of-the-box thinking with this one and it’s a great board game for families. You can have up to 6 players, ages 13 and up. There are 3 rounds of Scattergories, and each one lasts 3 minutes.

Buy Scattergories here

8. Wordle: The Party Game

Inspired by the popular digital game that took the world by storm, this party game version allows you to play Wordle with dry-erase boards. It’s a go-to party and family game and has everything you need to play. 

There are a few ways to play, with a fast, competitive, and timed version, all of which players must guess a secret word. The time it takes to play depends on which version you use. Wordle is for ages 14 and up, for up to 4 players.

Buy Wordle: The Party Game here

9. Ransom Notes

Ransom Notes is one of the best games like Scrabble but with a twist. Instead of creating words, you use word magnets to create fun sentences for many laughs.

Flip over one of the outlandish prompt cards (i.e., “Tell someone you just clogged their toilet”) and use the magnets to make a funny answer. Although it’s not a child-appropriate game, it’s one of the best word games for adults. 

There are 250 prompt cards, with a playing time of 30 to 90 minutes. The more people who play, the better.

Buy Ransom Notes here

10. STET! Dreyer’s English: A Game for Language Lovers, Grammar Geeks, and Bibliophiles

Sharpen your language skills or show them off with STET! – a game inspired by the New York Times bestseller book Dreyer’s English. The game comes with a hundred cards with entertaining sentences, and the first person to spot the error in each one calls out, “STET!” 

This is the perfect card game for any level writer and reader and any number of players. You can play STET! for as little or as long as you want.

Buy STET! Dreyer’s English here

11. The Moth Presents: A Game of Storytelling

Have more conversations, spark creativity, and improve your speaking skills with The Moth, an interactive deck of cards. The Moth has several live shows and workshops, and the game has more than 300 prompts pulled from these.

There are a few ways to play, including a “Best in Show,” where teams of two swap stories based on a card theme and prompts and then decide which story to share with the other players. The Moth is a fun game to play with friends, family, and coworkers. 

You can play it with a small or large group, and playing time is up to you!

Buy The Moth Presents here

12. Rummikub Word Game

Rummikub is a fast-paced word-strategy board game fun for players 7 and older. The goal is simple – make the longest word and earn points for word length. 

Rummikub is a straightforward but exciting game that brings people together. It comes with pieces for 2 to 4 players and takes up to half an hour to play one game.

Buy Rummikub here

Read more: 13 Gripping Books About Language and Translation

We hope you enjoyed this list of the best head-scratching word board games. If you know someone who likes playing games, please consider sharing this article with them!

But these days, we have thousands of creative bookworms out there bringing to life characters, themes, and ideas from our favourite books for us in the shape of jewellery, clothes, household things — even tea!

Literary Gifts for Bookworms

Today, there’s no shortage of fantastic, creative, beautiful, lovingly-crafted literary gifts that you can get for your bookish loved ones, or your book nerd self!

As with all good gift-shopping prepare to buy three things for yourself per one bookish gift for someone else. We’re only human.

Beautiful Book Sleeves

I’ve been seeing more and more book sleeves about this year and so when I wanted a bookish gift for myself, it was the first thing I asked for. I absolutely love the quality and designs available at Seven Color Daisy, their padded and sealed with a button.

The multiple sizes are handy and they even make Kindle and iPad covers. I got a medium size and can fit a couple of books in or a book and a notepad for writing. We loved it so much that Will bought one too.

They’ve also opened a partner shop Cozy Foxy House where you can buy handmade fabric home gifts and pencil cases.

Literary Tea

Literary Tea offers a tea selection for every kind of book fan and every kind of tea fan, I’m particularly fond of the Beatrix Potter tin myself. I don’t think there are many things that go better with a good book than a cozy cup of tea. For people who prefer tea bags, Novel Teas have you covered.

Handmade Stationery and Writing Sets

Whether it’s for getting organised, some beautiful paper to write letters or story ideas on, or a handmade pencil case to put beautiful pens in it’s no surprise that book lovers and writers love stationary.

One of my favourite shops for all things paper, including bookmarks, and gorgeous pencil cases and tote bags is Elena Illustration.

I’m addicted to her watercolour to-do lists and planners which keep my procrastinating self in check in a colourful way.

Chatty Feet Socks Bookish Gift Set

Wear your favourite literary icon, playwright, artist, or singer on your feet. There’s no end to the cool people that Chatty Feet have decided to put on their socks and all with a cool pun to boot. We love puns.

We’re big fans of William Shakes-Feet from our original set and Virginia Wool from their new bookish socks gift set. These are eye-catching, soft and good quality cotton socks. Perfect for a literary gift!

A Bookish Subscription Box

The surprise of receiving a book subscription box never gets old and the sheer amount of choice on offer now means there really is one for everyone.

A box will typically be themed and include a book plus some bookish gifts and snacks. We’ve slowly be trying them throughout the year and here are some of our favourites:

Books that Matter – A feminist monthly subscription box where you receive some wonderful fiction written by women as well as snacks and some uplifting gifts.

The gifts are always great quality and they team up with publishers and artists to make truly unique items that you can’t get elsewhere.

Secondhand Bookshelf – A seasonal book box that is environmentally minded, you’ll receive a secondhand book and a number of sustainable gifts that are handmade by local sellers in the UK.

They ship internationally and you can tell a lot of love goes into each box. You can also choose to have a blind date with a book and Giv will send you a tailored read anytime. You can read our interview with Giv to learn more about Secondhand Bookshelf.

Queer Book Box – Another wonderful monthly choice that offers a tiered system so you can customise how much you receive and the cost. You can choose to just receive a handpicked queer book a month or their standard box or full All Out Box where you’ll get access to a book club, bookish gifts, queer zines and an all-manner of goodies.

They also source their books from Gays the Word which is one of our favourite London independent bookshops. There are also discreet packaging options which I really admired if you don’t feel comfortable with someone seeing your post.

You can receive five pounds off your order by using our Queer Book Box referral link.

House of Zabadi – A relatively new book box based in Cardiff (much like our favourite luxury Welsh subscription box).

This is a West African inspired book box where you’ll receive a novel plus some handmade goodies such as a fabric bookmark and scrunchie using African textiles as well as African inspired snacks and prints.

I’m so excited to see the future of this box and think it’s incredibly unique and a new way to discover African literature. You can also shop for some of the handmade gifts separately if you prefer.

My Chronicle Bookbox – Another exciting book box that offers monthly and quarterly options, one of the most exciting things here is that they offer the box by genre so you can really pick the right one for you.

Options including the crime box and the sci-fi & fantasy box which come in various sizes. Even more special is the books will arrive with interviews with the author and signed bookplates to place in your books plus an array of bookish and home gifts.

The books come hand wrapped in beautiful paper and so much care and attention is put in making it a special literary gift anytime. You can read all about our experience with My Chronicle Bookbox in our full review.

Handmade Cat Bookends

If your bookshelves are anything like mine then you’re probably in danger of meeting an untimely end under a pile of books making their bid for freedom. Put them in their place with these stylish cat bookends and you get to look at cute cats to boot.

Japanese Writers who Changed the World

This set of prints by Geri Draws Japan are simply incredible and I’m honing in the writers for this list but actually the collection is Japanese Women who Changed the World and there are so many amazing women to choose from. From ancient to modern legends, deciding who to pick is impossible.

Hand Woven Afghan Blanket

You know the image you have of yourself curled up under a blanket, lounging on a Chesterfield sofa, the glow of a roaring fire illuminating the pages of that old copy of Jane Eyre you’re re-reading for the tenth time?

Well, you can make a start on that with this gorgeous Afghan blanket! The Chesterfield can wait; the blanket is key.

Handmade Literary Scarf

Why talk about your favourite books when you can wear them around your neck?

You can even have custom books added to make it truly personal, although as she also has a scarf made of entirely classic horror stories, I think I’m good. Give the literary gift of wearing your books about your person.

Women Poet’s Enamel Pin Collection

If you know us at all then you know we champion women writers from around the world and even though the enamel pin craze has become dangerous to those who love collecting things (ouch).

This is quite possibly the most beautiful set I’ve come across and it’s not just the rose gold finish making me say that.

Created by the Literary Emporium, they’re inspired by – Maya Angelou, Anne Brontë, Sappho, Qiu Jin, and Sylvia Plath, some of the most badass of women around and well-deserving of sitting proudly upon your lapel or rucksack.

If you’re more into your gothic literature then check out this gorgeous collection or their gorgeous Shakespeare’s heroines set.

Read More: 15 Amazing Enamel Pins for Book Lovers

Book Binding Set

If you’re someone who keeps a journal, enjoys scrapbooking, or writes novels for fun – whatever you create when you put pen to paper, you can now bind it with these and create your own books.

This very simple, classy-looking bookbinding set allow you to turn your hobby into something tangible and real.

The Locket Library Jewelry

Quite frankly, The Locket Library could extract every last penny from me if I wasn’t careful. I have very little self-control when it comes to jewelry anyway and these are just the most gorgeous, classic pieces.

If you don’t like any of the jewelry on offer you can request your own classic book cover, like this Edgar Allen Poe pendant which is my new best friend.

Read More: The Best (and Most Tasteful) Literary Jewelry

Handcrafted Fountain Pen

Here’s one for the writers or would-be writers, I recently listened to Neil Gaiman talk for half an hour about different fountain pens for different situations and even found out there’s a fountain pen hospital in New York — a half hour very well spent.

I’ve always been a fan of the fountain pen and a handmade one just demands to be held. It’s a lasting gift and a loving nudge to anyone who’s been meaning to write that novel their whole life.

This handmade pen on Etsy is ideal for any budding writer.

A Literary Tote Bag

No more tote bags I hear you shouting at me. It’s a truth commonly acknowledge that once purchased a tote bag will keep multiplying forever until it takes over whatever space it can find.

Am I still going to suggest you need another tote bag in your life? Of course! Especially when they are as pretty and witty as the ones from Obvious State who make amazing prints and tote bags.

Hand Covered Reclaimed Fabric Notebooks

Imagine having the creative mindset to take old, now-useless fabric from here, there, anywhere, and thinking, ‘This would make the world’s most beautiful notebook!’ Well, now you don’t have to. You can just buy one.

All of the fabric used for these notebooks has been reclaimed and hand-made into something personal, unique, and beautiful. Some are even made from the gorgeous obis used to wrap kimonos!

Indulge in a Literary Print

Those with eagle eyes may have noticed that I’m recommending more products by Obvious State here and it’s genuinely because their literary prints are just so damn lovely and unique.

Their literary prints are by far my favourite style and put a characterful spin on each and every poster, they also include a wide range of authors from around the world instead of the usual favourites.

Let your walls celebrate the words and metaphors that these writers have so lovingly bestowed on us.

Rainy Day Reads Candle

Reading all happens in the brain, right? We build the words we read in our mind’s eye and we live there for a little while.

But, with these candles, you can take that atmosphere one step further by drawing out your favourite bookish scents and filling your living room with them!

Their candles change but their candle selection is always suitably vintage and bookish. Like the scent of old books? There’s a candle for that too.

If you’d prefer your candle to smell like coffee, check out a coffee-scented candle in our list of unique gifts for coffee lovers!

Cashmere Blend Writing Gloves

For the budding writer in all of us, there are certain things we’d prefer to have: fountain pens, parchment, a typewriter, maybe a MacBook? How about gloves!

Typing can cause a lot of aches in strange places, but with these writing gloves you can write for days in complete comfort and warmth.

Metal Bookmark

Bookmarks can get a little boring. They’re usually card. Sometimes, when we’re desperate, they’re whatever flat thing we have lying around. The real daring readers out there don’t even consider them, and just dog-ear every page. The savages!

If you want to mark your page with something so gorgeous you could wear it or frame it, consider one of these metal bookmarks with a Japanese aesthetic.

They also have many more stunning Japanese art-inspired products in their shop.

Read More: The Best Narrative Video Games for Book Lovers

Beautiful Classics & Collector’s Editions

A lot of publishers over the past few years have rebound classic books in new covers: hardback, leather, books with deckled edges (ugh). But Penguin and Chiltern Publishing do it best with their highly collectable classics.

We adore these floral and clothbound editions so much. They’re more pleasant to hold and read, and they look so great as a collection on your shelf. There’s nothing in the world like them.

Get all your great gothic and romantic feminists together by building a clothbound shelf-full of Brontës, Austens, and Shelleys!

Gift a Writing Class

We love Skillshare and with a membership, you’ll suddenly have access to thousands of writing classes with famous and beloved authors at your fingertips. And much more! Everyone gets a 30-day free trial.

Become an English Pen Member

Without the Pen grants many of the wonderful books we get to read and review wouldn’t exist and our world of literature would be a much narrower less representative place.

If you’re looking for a more charitable gift that keeps giving then this is an ideal choice.

Members can look forward to all kinds of benefits, not least getting to enjoy literature from around the world and the money goes toward. Give a literary gift that keeps giving.

Become an English PEN Member | Or a PEN America Member

We millennials wear enamel pins and put stickers on our MacBooks which proudly display our love for coffee. All this adds up to the fact that there are no shortage of great gifts for coffee lovers.

When shopping for gifts for coffee lovers, you can go down the route of coffee itself: buy them specialist beans or bags of ground coffee. Or how about tools and utensils?

Grinders, cafetières, espresso machines. Or there’s the aforementioned pins, patches, and stickers. And let’s not forget the things that many coffee lovers also adore: books.

Unique Gifts for Coffee Lovers

Whatever kind of coffee addict you are or know, there’s a perfect gift out there. And, likelihood is, you’ll find it right here on this list of gifts for coffee lovers. Have a browse and see just how wonderful the wonderful world of coffee really is.

Coffees of the World Gift Set

Truly dedicated and impassioned coffee lovers really know their stuff when it comes to coffee. That includes the country, the climate, even the very soil of specific beans. If you’re one of these obsessive coffee-addicts, this gift set is exactly what you’re looking for.

If you’re not one of these coffee-addicts but, perhaps, you’d like to be. Or you just want the chance to sample coffees from all around the “coffee belt”, then this is the best way to do so.

This Coffees of the World Gift Set allows you the opportunity to find your favourite coffee or try something you’ve never had before!

Pact Coffee Subscription

One of the very kindest gifts for coffee lovers is a monthly coffee subscription, especially one where you can tweak details of the subscription to your personal liking.

These tweaks include the type of coffee and where it’s from, the grind size, and the frequency of delivery.

Pact Coffee are also a really decent company. They put a focus on ethical trade to source and prepare their coffee. They also provide a drip filter in order for you to properly prepare and enjoy your coffee. And, to top it all off, your plan can be paused, tweaked, or cancelled at any time!

Aeropress Coffee Maker

This, right here, is the best and highest-quality method of making espresso at home without using an espresso machine. The Aeropress Coffee Maker is also super compact and portable, making it a great gift for travellers.

With a bag of ground coffee, this coffee maker takes 90 seconds to brew the perfect espresso, of the same quality that any massive espresso machine would make. You can use compostable coffee filters with it and enjoy genuinely fantastic coffee whenever you want it.

If you’re interested in how an Aeropress works and how to use one, here’s their very own tutorial.

Toasted Coconut Coffee Organic Scrub

Moving away from drinkable coffee for a second, here’s one of the more unique gifts for coffee lovers. The kind of gift for anyone who wants to smell coffee – or smell like coffee – even when there’s no mug in sight.

This organic coffee and salt scrub exfoliates and hydrates your skin, all the while filling the room with the enticing aroma of fresh coffee. It’s an entirely organic and cruelty-free body scrub, perfect for animal lovers as well as coffee lovers.

Copper 3-Cup Cafetière

While there are a dozen different ways to make coffee, one of the simplest quality methods is to buy a bag of ground coffee and prepare a few cups using a cafetiere (french press).

If you’re a fan of ground cafetière coffee, why not treat yourself to a particularly gorgeous rose gold cafetiere from Whittard.

Experts in tea and coffee, anyhing bought from Whittard is not only of excellent quality, but also lavishly designed.

Barista & Co. Black Coffee Brew It Stick

Essentially, this is a reusable teabag for coffee! The Brew It Stick from Wittard allows you to make a single cup of coffee using ground coffee, just like with a cafetière. It’s ideal for leaving at work or taking in your suitcase.

If you’re living alone or with no other coffee lovers, this is far more ideal for one person than a cafetière.

You simple scoop your ground coffee into the bag at the end of the stick, pour hot water over it and into the cup, and let it sit for a minute. Perfect coffee every time.

Personalised Coffee Scoop

Whether you like drip coffee or cafetière coffee, if you like to buy yourself bags of ground coffee beans, this is a fantastic gift for you.

These coffee spoons come in one of three colours – gold, silver, and rose gold – and can be engraved with any phrase you fancy!

This is one of the more precious and unique gifts for coffee lovers; great for giving to a coffee-addicted friend or family member for their birthday.

Handmade Scented Natural Candle With Coffee Beans

Here’s another one of our gifts for coffee lovers that’s neither coffee nor a specialty tool. Many coffee lovers, after all, can’t get enough of that invigorating coffee aroma, and this is the gift for them.

While coffee-scented candles aren’t all that uncommon these days, it’s rare to find one with a handful of coffee beans embedded into the candle wax itself.

This is truly one of the most unique gifts for coffee lovers – a real novelty beauty.

Just in case, here are some coffee wax melts if you prefer.

Coffee And Cats T Shirt

While we can only speak for ourselves, as far as we’re concerned, the holy trinity of a good home life is: books, coffee, and cats. We’ve got you covered with books below, but here is something for the coffee-and-cats-lover.

This adorable t-shirt is printed with a cute design that proudly demonstrates to every passerby that you are a dedicated fan of too much coffee and too many cats. Welcome to the club!

DeLonghi EC702 15-Bar-Pump Espresso Maker

Time to bring out the big guns: a hefty machine with a fancy brand name and a barcode in place of a memorable name. To get one of these is to make the jump from coffee lover to coffee aficionado.

This espresso maker is for people who love to enjoy multiple cups of coffee a day at home, and who want the absolute highest quality coffee each and every day. Possibly the very best of gifts for coffee lovers.

Espresso Cup Set

So, you’ve got yourself an espresso machine (or maybe an Aeropress). To complete your transition to hardcore coffee-obsessive, you’ll need a sleek, stylish set of espresso cups.

This set is reasonably priced and has all the style of a slick blazer: matte black on the outside, subtle bold colour in the lining. These sturdy espresso cups toe the line between playful and mature.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

If you or your coffee-addicted friends are also big bookworms, there’s no better reading material for coffee lovers than Before the Coffee Gets Cold and its sequel Tales from the Cafe.

These are two gorgeous Japanese novels, written by Toshikazu Gawagushi and translated by Geoffrey Trousselot.

They are both set in a small, unassuming Tokyo cafe, and they centre around the charming cast of characters who work there. Plus, there’s the small matter of that table in the corner which sends customers back in time.

Tattoos are collected and worn proudly by lovers of cinema, anime, video games, comics, and books alike. And Literary tattoos are fast becoming a normal and celebrated niche in the tattoo world.

The Best Literary Tattoos for Bookworms

We celebrate our love of books, poetry, Shakespeare, and everything else literary in a hundred different ways and one of them, as book lovers, is by etching our favourite characters, quotes, and covers onto our skin.

Let’s take a look at eleven fantastic book tattoos, from Lord of the Rings tattoos to The Handmaid’s Tale tattoos via Alice in Wonderland and all the great literary tattoos in-between.

Alice in Wonderland Tattoo

Danny Elliott at Rebel Muse Tattoo, Texas does some bloody fantastic tattoos. 

The majority of his tattoo art depicts colourful, bold, and vibrant interpretations of characters and details from video games, comic books, and other areas of nerd fandom.

Suffice to say, if you’re in Texas and looking for a comic book tattoo or a video game tattoo, Danny is your man.

Here, he has brought to life through staggering dimensionality and depth the Cheshire Cat and the iconic ‘Drink Me’ shrinking tonic in a clever and captivating Alice in Wonderland tattoo.

Read More: The Best Magical Alice in Wonderland Tattoos

Harry Potter Tattoo

Harry Potter tattoos are, unsurprisingly, the most popular literary tattoos you’re likely to find. Harry Potter has a lively, enthusiastic, passionate, and dedicated fanbase so it stands to reason.

The Harry Potter universe also has a diverse selection of people, places, magical creatures, themes, quotes, items, and ideas that can be turned into awesome tattoo designs.

But no Harry Potter tattoo can beat this original and unique tattoo of Professor McGonagall in cat form. It’s a bright, cartoonish depiction of her in all her feline glory.

We’ve mentioned this tattoo, by Chelsea Shoneck, before and awed at it then as well. It’s a marvellous and original Harry Potter tattoo that we absolutely adore.

Read More: 8 Spellbinding Harry Potter Tattoos

His Dark Materials Tattoo

We’ve waxed poetic about Ellis Arch’s tattoos before and here she has outdone herself once again.

While it may not be to everyone’s tastes having a blade running through the head of beloved fan-favourite character Iorek Byrnison, one cannot argue with the artistry on display here.

Ellis has used traditional tattoo tropes of animal heads, knives, and blood to come up with one of the most unique and delightfully original literary tattoos in the form of this fantastic His Dark Materials tattoo.

You could go for anything when it comes to a His Dark Materials tattoo: an alethiometer, a spyglass, a hot air balloon, but why not go for a badass depiction of Iorek Byrnison, armoured and strong!

Lord of the Rings Tattoo

Konstantin Schmidt (resident artist at Verlorene Jungs in Lüneburg, Germany) does some truly astonishing tattoo art. Neotrad tattoos that pop and burst with heart and colour.

And while there are thousands of Lord of the Rings tattoos out there in the ocean of literary tattoos, unfortunately the vast majority are tacky and poorly executed.

His, however, as you can clearly see, are something truly magical and experimental.

He takes the tone and beauty of the settings – arguably the best thing about both the Lord of the Rings books and films – and transforms them into some truly breath-taking Lord of the Rings tattoos.

Game of Thrones Tattoo

Game of Thrones tattoos (or A Song of Ice and Fire tattoos, if you prefer) are excessively popular at the moment. As such, finding ones that really stand out (as opposed to being some simple script or poorly-replicated portrait of an actor) can be a real challenge!

Here, however, is an original interpretation of beloved character Arya Stark in all her murderous glory, designed and created by Cat No Name at Empty Project in Mexico City.

This most awesome of literary tattoos resembles Maisie Williams just enough to be recognisable, but also clearly takes inspiration from the books as well as being an original design by the artist.

In fact, it has a sort of chibi anime art style to it that we absolutely adore for a Game of thrones tattoo.

Edgar Allan Poe Tattoo

Would you believe us if we said that portrait tattoos of Edgar Allan Poe are surprisingly commonplace? It’s true! Poe tattoos are a favourite amongst us literary types.

And it makes sense: Poe strikes a very unique and recognisable pose.

He’s an author with a face as recognisable as Shakespeare’s.

And his gothic tone and themes make for some creative tattoo art. Here, for example, we have what might be the very best of Poe tattoos with a collage depicting Poe himself, his beloved raven, and a tarot-style moon and stars.

Esme Baker who tattoos in Guildford, UK (my old haunt, in fact), is an absolute legend in her field. Her tattoo art — black-and-grey fine line work in a gothic and woodcut style — is utterly breathtaking. And this Poe tattoo is Esme at her finest. One of our favourite literary tattoos.

Read More: The Best London Tattoo Artists

Franz Kafka Tattoo

Franz Kafka is one of the greats. He’s seen a surge in popularity recently, in the same way that Orwell and Atwood have, as the world grows weary once again of capitalism and our entire way of life seems to be one Kafkaesque joke.

And so what better time to celebrate one’s love of the depressed Czech icon than with a Kafka tattoo? It’s a challenge, of course, since our go-to image when thinking of Kafka is a large insect.

But CrocKat in Berlin has done is very proud. Her interpretation of Metamorphosis and the titular Gregor Samsa as a large insect is positively inspired, and a real treat of a Kafka tattoo.

CrocKat’s work, in general, is unique and captivating.

The Handmaid’s Tale Tattoo

The Handmaid’s Tale is perhaps one of the easier works of literature to be captured in ink, given both its iconic and striking character imagery and an iconic latin phrase adored and repeated by fans the world over.

And here, Amanda Slater (who tattoos at Lakeside Tattoo in Richmond, Virginia) has done that very but of script proud.

Tattooing a quote or piece of script can be a surprisingly creative challenge, and Slater has opted to surround the script with impressive and boldly colourful flowers.

This Nolite Te Basardes Carborundorum tattoo is a real original and beautiful representation of the iconic phrase, and makes for a striking Handmaid’s Tale tattoo.

Discworld Tattoo

Terry Pratchett’s Discworld is one of the most beloved fantasy book series’ in literary history. And many a fan has come and gone to get artistic interpretations of his work etched on their skin forever.

The majority of them, unsurprisingly, are of the Great A’Tuin – the World Turtle who carried the Discworld on its back, supported by four colossal elephants.

Many of these tattoos, however, suffer from an excess of detail that can ruin the effect. Stefanie Mader in Aschaffenburg, Germany has struck just the right balance here, though.

She has interpreted the World Turtle and adapted it into a gorgeous Discworld tattoo that’s recognisable, charming, beautifully executed, and something Sir Terry would be proud of.

Read More: A Tour of Hay-on-Way, Britain’s Book Town

Wheel of Time Tattoo

The internet is flooded with Wheel of Time tattoos, most of them depicting the fantasy book series’ iconic symbol, and almost all of them really badly done.

Not true of this stunning Wheel of Time tattoo by Vera in Seattle, WA. In fact, this is one of the most heavy and striking literary tattoos we’ve seen. What a piece of art!

The sheer size of it is impressive, but the way in which Vera has run with the design to create something with colour, vibrancy, and dimension is a real sight to see.

This is how you show your dedication to a beloved book series!

Coraline Tattoo

Of all the world’s authors, Neil Gaiman might be the one with the most dedicated and enthusiastic fanbase. As such, tattoos of his characters and quotes can be found on the skin of thousands of people the world over.

Especially his masterpiece comic book series: The Sandman. But here we have a fantastic, exquisite depiction of Coraline.

A bold, defining statement of love for a creator’s work, and an incredible piece of Coraline tattoo art by Michelle Maddison in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Books Tattoo

Our bonus tattoo isn’t from any author in particular, but rather something more general.

If you want to show your love of reading, and of books and literature in general, but you don’t want to focus on one author in particular, why not just get a tattoo of books?

It’s a difficult thing to pull off and make look good, but of all the many books tattoos we’ve seen, Marilou Legault-Mercier in Quebec, Canada has done it the best.

She has taken a stack of books, chosen the right colour scheme, moulded them perfectly to the skin, and added a few extra flourishes like the Deathly Hallows tattoo to make it something original and playful.

A fantastic way to show what books can mean to a person, and absolutely the best books tattoo we’ve seen.

However, you can craft your own home library with the best bookshelves for you. You just need to work with the space you have. When you do some digging, it’s amazing just how much variety exists in the bookshelves and bookcases available to us.

The Best Bookshelves and Bookcases for Your Home Library

So, taking into consideration our different requirements (space, size, aesthetics, materials, colour, weight, and more) these are the best bookshelves and bookcases for your home library.

There is a huge variety to be found here, as well as where you can buy these bookshelves. You’ll definitely find the shelves that are perfect for you and your ideal home library.

Read More: Unique Literary Gifts for Book Lovers

Ladder Bookshelf

While a bookshelf or bookcase with a ladder is the dream for so many of us (Belle gif), it’s not a realistic one for almost all of us. A quick browse on Etsy for a bookcase with a ladder revealed a $1000 price ceiling.

So, what’s the next best thing, aesthetically? A ladder bookshelf! Meaning: a bookshelf that is also a ladder.

A ladder bookshelf is an aesthetically gorgeous thing. Pressed against a wall, it leans like a ladder, offering you a tier system that allows for a lot of creative freedom when it comes to how you wish to arrange your books and other pretty things.

The downside is that a ladder bookshelf doesn’t hold that many books. It’s certainly a case of fashion over function. But if you want to display your prettiest hardbacks, while also decorating your living room with some potted plants and ornaments, a ladder bookshelf is one of the best bookshelves you could ask for.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Industrial Bookshelf

While the name is weird, giving off metal and concrete vibes, an industrial bookshelf is actually a very pretty piece of furniture.

Combining a metal structure with wooden shelving, an industrial bookshelf is one of the best bookshelves in terms of combining stability with home library aesthetics.

Usually consisting of five or six shelves, an industrial bookshelf gives you the height needed to store big hardback books, as well as the width to break up your bookshelf with other items — plants, souvenirs, picture frames, ornaments etc.

A thin black metal frame means stability with no danger of your shelves bowing; and a deep natural wood for the shelves themselves guarantees a warm, satisfying, homely feeling.

For a mix of strength and beauty, an industrial bookshelf is one of the best bookshelves for your home library.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Geometric Bookcase

Always a popular choice for the modern homeowner, a geometric bookcase is one of the best bookshelves for bookworms who are looking for variety in their design aesthetics.

A geometric bookcase is made up of decently-sized and roomy cubby holes, usually made from painted wood, that allow for plenty of customisation variety.

You can choose to fill one cubby with books stacked in a row, another with books stacked on top of each other, and a third filled with candles, photo frames, or a potted plant. The choice is yours.

A collector may choose to use every bit of available space to fill up their geometric bookcase with as many books as possible. While minimalists who love to show off their favourite books may relish in the space and opt for displaying only the most beautiful hardback books.

There’s no right or wrong way to design your own home library, and a geometric bookcase is one of the best bookshelves to allow for that freedom of customisation.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Solid Wood Bookcases

Solid wood bookcases are classic; quintessential; timeless. They represent the best bookshelves for any and every type of reader and book collector. Sturdy, reliable, beautiful. Who doesn’t want a set of solid wood bookcases?

They’re also the most common form of bookcase, but choosing to buy a really big, heavy, gorgeous set of solid wood bookcases can set you back a bit. But that’s your choice. Prices for the best bookshelves all vary, and that certainly applies to solid wood bookcases.

These are the best bookshelves for serious bookworms and collectors who have a lot of beautiful books, want to stack them messily and haphazardly, and want their living room to be primarily defined by books (that certainly describes us, at least).

Solid wood bookcases can also be made out of a dozen different types of wood, expanding your options when it comes to colour, sturdiness, density, style, and more.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Montessori Bookshelf

If you’re a parent feeding your kids regular knowledge through picture books the best bookshelves for you/them come in the form of the montessori bookshelf. This small bookcase is purposely designed to display slender picture books with pretty covers.

A montessori bookshelf isn’t just for little kids and their parents, though. If you’re a comic book collector who wants to display a few of their favourite comics because they’re rare or particularly stunning, a montessori bookshelf is the best thing for the job!

Multipurpose, affordable, perfect for displays, ideal for parents, entirely made out of wood, and very aesthetically charming. A montessori bookshelf is one of the best bookshelves for your home library, especially if you’re a parent.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Farmhouse Bookshelf

First of all, what is a farmhouse bookshelf? A farmhouse bookshelf refers to any bookshelf or bookcase that would fit in a home designed with a farmhouse decor. What that means is a farmhouse bookshelf should be made from raw, earthy materials like wood and metal.

A farmhouse bookshelf is rustic, old-timey, authentic, and other adjectives that nicely and romantically describe the past. Thick cottage-core.

We’ve already mentioned solid wood bookcases and industrial bookshelves. Made of wood and metal, both of these types fall into the bracket of “farmhouse bookshelf”.

However, since we’ve already given you some great options for solid wood bookcases and industrial bookshelves, here are some of the best bookshelves that don’t fit those moulds but are still definitely considered farmhouse bookshelves.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Bamboo Bookshelf

Bamboo is incredible stuff. It grows at an impossible rate, is versatile and strong, looks gorgeous, and is super eco-friendly. When we lived in Shanghai we saw bamboo being used for so many ingenious things — most notably as scaffolding.

If you’re aiming to be environmentally conscious and you also want one of the best bookshelves in terms of strength, aesthetics, and cost, you need to get yourself a bamboo bookshelf. They’re gorgeous, affordable, and entirely made from wood.

Whether you’re an environmentally conscious person or not (for whatever reason), a bamboo bookshelf is undeniably a cool, unique, and pretty addition to your living space.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Decorative Bookshelves

“Decorative bookshelves” is a pretty broad term, and it means whatever you want it to mean, honestly.

In our opinion, decorative bookshelves can be defined as any kind of bookshelf that does something strange or unique with its design in order to stand out and be eye-catching.

This does usually mean that decorative bookshelves are not the most ideal things for storing a large number of bookshelves. If you’re a bookworm with a lot of books to store and display, you’ll need an industrial bookshelf or solid wood bookcases.

However, if you want to display a handful of books in a creative fashion, you’ll want the best bookshelves for the job. Here are some great decorative bookshelves that fill this particular need.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Bookshelf With a Glass Door

For the organised and the refined, a bookshelf with a glass door is the ultimate in respectable bookshelf organisation. Not sure I even know what that means, but I have faith that you do. Basically, a bookshelf with a glass door looks elegant.

If you love to organise your bookshelves in a very specific way (maybe even by colour), then using a bookshelf with a glass door to finalise the effect is the cherry on top. Sort of like laminating or framing a piece of art.

If you have pride in your book collection, and you wish to display them like artwork, a bookshelf with a glass door is one of the best bookshelves to provide that kind of finish.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Bookshelves With Doors

Bookshelves with doors aren’t to everyone’s taste. Most of us like to display our books as a point of pride, as a form of decoration, and as a great talking point for visitors who come round. But some of us prefer the privacy and tidiness that bookshelves with doors provide.

If that describes you — someone whose books are a private affair and would prefer to tidy them away behind wooden doors, then the best bookshelves for you are, obviously, bookshelves with doors.

The doors mean that you’re going to see a lot more of the wood than you normally would. This means choosing the prettiest and most pleasing wood finish is an absolute must when selecting bookshelves with doors. Here are a few options.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Corner Bookcase

The best bookshelves for people trying to make the most of their space — especially if they have a small living room or a studio apartment — are corner bookcases.

They still work well as practical bookshelves but they gel so perfectly with your home decor, as though they were always meant to be there. A corner bookcase straddles that line between function and fashion, looking refined and satisfying while also holding a decent amount of books.

They also work great if you really want to line your walls with books. Get a traditional bookshelf for one wall and a corner bookcase (or two) for the corner. Turn the walls of your home into bookshelves. Who needs wallpaper when books will do?

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Narrow Bookshelf

A narrow bookshelf can solve a lot of unique issues. If you have some annoying gaps in your living space; if you need a bit of extra book storage (but not too much); if you have limited space and only a narrow bookshelf will do.

A short, narrow bookshelf can also double as a bedside cabinet or a shelf for a potted plant, all the while storing some of your favourite books.

Whatever you need it for, a narrow bookcase is often the perfect solution to your problems. You can buy multiple without breaking the bank, and then fit them into every room in your house (or apartment).

Need a bookshelf in your kitchen? How about the bathroom? Maybe the larder (no, I don’t know what one of those is either). Whatever the (book)case, a narrow bookshelf can be your answer.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Wall-Mounted Bookshelves

These are the best bookshelves for the lucky few who own their own home and can just go to town stabbing holes into their own walls to set up some beautiful wall-mounted bookshelves.

These types of bookshelves come in a few different flavours: single shelves and multi-shelf units. You can mount single individual shelves wherever you please, sporadically or in a pattern. Or just stop at one, if one is all you need.

Alternatively, you can buy and mount a multi-shelf unit of wall-mounted bookshelves. This is a set of three or four connected shelves that all get mounted in one place together. A small bookcase mounted on your wall!

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

Desk With Bookshelves

Equal parts aesthetic and practical. Function meets fashion. The perfect tool for any work-from-home person who loves their desk and often needs quick access to reference materials like dictionaries and textbooks.

A desk with bookshelves can also simply be used as a two-in-one tool for storing all your favourite things in one convenient location. My two favourite things are my books and my laptop. Having them in one pretty location is heaven.

For this reason, getting a desk with bookshelves is a way to get the best bookshelves for your home library.

Buy from Etsy!

Buy from Amazon!

There’s no shortage of options when it comes to getting monthly, bi-monthly, or seasonal book boxes sent right to your door. Whether you’re looking for secondhand books curated to your taste or modern feminist award-winners, there’s a book box out there for you or for you.

They also make the perfect bookish gift for someone else! And, for the reader who loves genre fiction, there’s My Chronicle Book Box.

My Chronicle Book Box: Two Unique Genre Subscription Boxes

My Chronicle Book Box is a book subscription box with two genre options: sci-fi and fantasy (SFF) or crime and mystery. If you’re a fan of sci-fi and fantasy literature (which we very much are), you can choose the Quarterly Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Subscription Box.

If you’re more of a crime and mystery fan, you can opt for the quarterly or monthly crime boxes.

So, all in all, there are three options for you: a quarterly box for sci-fi and fantasy, a monthly crime box, or a quarterly crime box. The quarterly boxes both contain three newly-released books within their respective genres (SFF or crime), along with a small selection of bookish gifts (postcards, stationary, author interviews etc).

The monthly crime box from My Chronicle Book Box always includes a signed first edition hardcover book every single month. That alone makes this book subscription box a cut above the rest. You also get three bookish goodies included. Previous boxes have features: a travel mug, a tote bag, candles, and bookmarks.

My Chronicle Book Box works intimately with authors to guarantee subscribers always get a signed first edition, as well as a letter and an interview with the author(s) features in each box. The letters and interviews are beautifully presented on quality paper and can be kept safe as entirely unique collectables. These details are what sets this box apart from the rest, especially for fans of the crime and SFF genres.

As previously mentioned, we at Books and Bao are enormous fans of sci-fi and fantasy. While we specialise in literary fiction and translated world literature on our site, most of what we read in our downtime is sci-fi and fantasy. And so, of course, we jumped at the chance to grab the Quarterly Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Subscription Box from My Chronicle Book Box.

When it arrived, we found a beautiful cardboard box in a calming blue, and inside were three books, each gorgeously wrapped like Christmas presents. The presentation here is above and beyond what so many other book subscription boxes do.

Taking the time to perfectly wrap each individual book in a different colour, using high quality paper, and then finishing it off with a ribbon is inspired and really added to the feeling that you are buying yourself a wonderful gift.

This is, ultimately, what appeals to us so much when it comes to subscription boxes: the feeling that we are treating ourselves to a gift. We pay the subscription and then, every month, it’s a bookworm’s birthday! And when the book subscription box arrives and every book is individually wrapped with more care than I’ve ever put into a Christmas present for anyone, it really feels special.

That love and care is what takes a book subscription box from a convenience to an intimate and meaningful gesture. Every book subscription box goes about things differently, and what you like best is down to your own tastes.

If you like your subscription boxes to be genre-specific, to be always keeping you up-to-date on the latest releases in your favourite genre, to be filled with unique interviews and letters from new authors, and to be presented with more love and attention than any book subscription box we’ve ever seen, then My Chronicle Book Box is what you’re looking for.

As emphatic fans of the sci-fi and fantasy genres of literature, having three brand-new books, signed, accompanied by letters and interviews, and gift wrapped in a perfectly presented box was a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss for us.

And for that feeling of bliss, and the sense that what you’re getting is passion passed on from one bookworm to another, we cannot recommend My Chronicle Book Box highly enough.

Read More: Discover some of our other gifts that are perfect for book lovers

Books and Bao is run by two people. One of us is Welsh, the other has lived, worked, and studied in Wales. And so, when we came across Hiraeth Gift Boxes, we were thrilled to try it and to learn more. Hiraeth Gift Boxes is a gift box filled with uniquely Welsh products for your home, all made by small independent businesses based in Wales.

The name Hiraeth wasn’t simply chosen because it’s a uniquely Welsh word, but also because it speaks to the themes and contents of this gift box. These are items to make you feel cozy, comfortable, and warm. Think of it as hygge from Wales, a place of kind people and rugged countryside.

Wales is one of the four nations that comprise the United Kingdom, and yet it is perhaps the most overlooked. It’s small, made up of both tight-knit communities, and bustling cities, and the English government often behaves like Wales isn’t even there.

And yet, the savvy and creative people whose products fill this gift box are proof of a beautiful place full of beautiful people, as well as a unique Celtic folk culture and an entirely unique language that remains alive to this day.

Read More: Visit the Haunted Houses and Castles of Wales

Hiraeth Gift Boxes is run by two people, one of whom hails from the mountainous region of Snowdonia and the other from Wales’ second city, Swansea (home of Catherine Zeta-Jones and one half of Books and Bao). All of their products are collected from small family-run businesses that craft beautiful items to use at home. You can learn more about individual products on their Instagram.

On their website, you can choose from a variety of different boxes, each with the name of a unique Welsh word (our favourite being ‘cwtch’, the Welsh word for cuddle).

The box we received was the standard Hiraeth Gift Box, and inside we found a bar of hand-made soap from the Welsh Luxury Soap Co, a pomegranate scented candle, a tin of hand and body cream from Lan y Mor, a box of Welsh milk chocolate, and the cherry on top: a Welsh love spoon.

Welsh love spoons are traditionally hand-carved wooden spoons shared between lovers. They are often engraved with hearts and filigree. The one found in Hiraeth Gift Boxes doubles as a keyring for you to proudly show your love of Welsh culture and to keep it close to you every day.

There are five different gift boxes to choose from, ranging from £30 to £45, and each is filled with a selection of items like soap, a mug for tea, and even Morgan’s Brew teabags.

If you’re looking for cozy items to help you relax and feel soothed at home, you also want to support local businesses, and you have a love for the warmth and comfort found in Welsh culture, Hiraeth Gift Boxes is exactly what you’re looking for.

Read More: Secondhand Bookshelf – Seasonal Book Box

Interview with Hiraeth Gift Boxes

We got in touch with Anna and Gwyn, the owners of Hiraeth Gift Boxes, to learn more about their unique and beautiful Welsh gift boxes.

Could you introduce yourselves and why you started Hiraeth Gift Boxes?

Hello, my name is Anna, I started up Hiraeth Gift Boxes with my partner Gwyn. We are a very new company having started in the midst of lockdown. However, the idea had been brewing for a few months before, but now appeared to be the perfect time to put our thoughts into action. 

The aim was to be able to provide a platform for people to send their loved ones a piece of “home”. The idea of home not necessarily being a location but whatever makes you feel at home. That is what made us think of the name “Hiraeth” which means homesickness in Welsh.

Since I currently work in England and Gwyn works in Wales, it has been a difficult time apart. We knew we weren’t the only ones who felt that way and we thought gift boxes were the perfect way of showing someone you care.  We are both from Wales originally, Gwyn is from the North (a gog) and I’m from the South. We both had quite similar upbringings and yet surprisingly to us we also had many differences.

With Hiraeth Gift Boxes we wanted to promote Wales as a country but also celebrate the unique differences across the country and try to bring them to life in a gift box.

How do you choose the local Welsh businesses that you work with?

We start by deciding on a product that would be suitable for the gift box in mind. Following that we look for quality products that we ourselves would be happy to receive. Our aim is to work with companies that promote Wales on their products along with working with companies who are ethically sourcing their materials with environmental sustainability in mind. 

We try to get a variety of different products from different parts of Wales so that we can bring them together in one box.

What’s been the hardest thing about getting started with your new businesses?

It’s been so enjoyable to be able to have an idea and see it come to life, to then share with other people – so much so that even the difficult parts have been overshadowed by this feeling. There are so many ideas that we have and ways to grow the company that sometimes it can become quite an obsession and knowing when to stop and take a break from it is just as important. 

What’s been the biggest surprise/thing you’ve enjoyed the most?

Working with such amazing companies is an absolute pleasure, we all have the same goal and that is to get quality products to our customers. The feedback that we have received has been great, we want to further develop and learn more about what our customers are looking for and be able to provide that to them in the near future.

What are your plans for the future?

We want to be able to grow our gift box collection, look more into gift boxes focussing on food and drink along with providing a bespoke gift box option so customers can choose what they want to include in their gift box.  To continue to create a platform where customers can send a piece of “home” to their loved one, wherever they may be.

Make sure to follow Hiraeth gift boxes on Instagram to keep up with their latest products.

Owned and managed by Giv, a German woman based in Exeter UK, Secondhand Bookshelf is a seasonal book box that prioritizes conservation, being green, champions small businesses, and being good to the environment.

In this book box, you’ll find a different book each month, along with a host of wonderful and creative items that help you live a greener life.

For example, in our first box from Secondhand Bookshelf, we received wildflower seed bombs which can be planted in any kind of soil and encourage a healthy relationship with your local bee population, as well as a packet of reusable bamboo straws of different sizes, made by a small company in rural Vietnam.

Our box from Giv also came with a copy of The Happy News, an independent newspaper which provides the kinds of global stories that often get buried under the more doom-and-gloom sensationalism pedalled by the media. A very welcome gift in these trying times. And, to top it all off, we received a gorgeous ‘Bookish’ enamel pin.

Of course, a book box is nothing without a good book. And this is another way in which Giv, through Secondhand Bookshelf, does something quite unique! The book you receive each month is a secondhand book which Giv has procured herself, based on information you provide about your own personal tastes.

When we got in contact with Giv, we gave her a detailed list of our preferred genres and styles of literature, as well as examples of favourite authors. We mentioned our love for translated East Asian literature, that our favourite genres are gothic, sci-fi, and fantasy, and that we typically prefer books written by women.

Giv then went out in search of the perfect book for us, based on our preferences. This means every buyer of this book box gets a unique secondhand book based on their own reading habits. The kind of love and intimacy that goes into the Secondhand Bookshelf book box is very rare in this industry.

These boxes are personally, individually curated and packaged, inviting a personal relationship between you, the thing you’re paying for, and the person putting your box together.

An interview with Giv

We got in touch with Giv, owner of Secondhand Bookshelf, to find out how she went about setting this up, what inspired her, and what her own personal background is.

Could you introduce yourself and why you started the Secondhand Bookshelf business?

Hi! My name is Giv, I’m 24 years old and I live in the beautiful city of Exeter. I’m actually from Germany and only moved to the UK about two years ago, but I’ve been loving it ever since! I blog about books, travelling and everything else important on my blog The Literary Traveller, and I am also the founder of the Secondhand Bookshelf!

Starting the Secondhand Bookshelf at the beginning of this year was a complete ‘spur-of-the-moment’ and ‘why-on-earth-have-I-not-done-this-before kind of decision?’. I work in the e-commerce department of a company that sells calendars, stationery and gifts and while that role is so much fun, I have wondered what it would be like to have something that is completely my own.

During the last year, I watched a colleague pack up her things and go self-employed, and I thought, there has to be something similar that I can do, too!

I wasn’t quite as bold as her and still work full-time next to the Secondhand Bookshelf, but it made me think about the things I could possibly achieve if I simply had the courage to do so. In the end, it all came back down to my proven mantra: what is the worst thing that could happen?

As you can tell, I didn’t think a lot could go wrong, and now here I am with my own online shop. I have always been passionate about books and reading, and so, it seemed natural to strive for a product that would incorporate that! I loved the idea of book subscription boxes but often felt that a lot of the gift merchandise included in other boxes just didn’t tickle my fancy.

I also loved the idea of book blind dates and the surprising and joyous effect they can have on others, and I am a passionate advocate for buying things secondhand, so it just seemed to make sense to combine these aspects! 

Read More: 18 Literary Gifts for Bookworms

So, all in all, the Secondhand Bookshelf was born out of the idea to create something meaningful. Something that lets others remember how important it is to slow down and take a minute for themself in this hectic and fast world. And something that emphasises the small changes we can make and shows that living a greener life can be simpler than we think.

How do you choose the small businesses that you work with?

Truth be told, it involves a lot of browsing on Etsy and listening to my gut instinct!

At first, we try to think of products that match the season we’re planning for and that we would like to feature in the box. Then we start to cast out the net and search for local businesses and makers that produce the things we are looking for.

We’re looking for the unusual, the creative and handmade products, and this can sometimes prove to be quite tricky! Often, we also stumble upon makers while browsing social media looking for inspiration. The internet is a great place full of wonderful makers if you know where and what to look for!

Once we have found a product we like, we tend to look at the following aspects: Does the price fit into the budget we have for the box? Is there a mutual connection and do we get on well with the maker?

How eco-friendly is the packaging of the product? It’s not necessarily a straightforward and logical process, but rather something that we try to decide based on what our heart says, after taking all of the rational aspects into account.

What’s been the hardest thing about getting started with your new business?

Phew, this is such a good question! I think it must definitely be building a brand and converting sales. It sounds incredibly boring, but when you open up a shop, you somehow think that people will just magically turn up and buy everything you’ve got because you think your products are awesome, right?

I won’t be giving much away when I say, it’s so much more than that and at times, it can be quite disheartening and frustrating. Even staying on track of finances and doing the accounting didn’t prove to be as difficult as that!

What’s been the biggest surprise/thing you’ve enjoyed the most with regards to this new business?

I am incredibly overwhelmed by the fact that something as little as a blind date with a secondhand book can make someone’s day! Hearing positive feedback from customers and speaking to customers, in general, is so fulfilling and truly the most positive thing about this little venture.

Also, seeing how people take care of others by sending them little gifts and the messages they decide to include in their orders, makes me smile every single time.

What are your plans for the future?

First of all, we want to grow! We want to spread our passion for literature and the environment all around the globe, and hope you will join us on this adventure. One thing we are also looking at is making an actual subscription service available. This may seem a little confusing, but at the moment, we sell the boxes on a one-off purchase basis as we weren’t sure how popular this idea would be.

In the future (soon, fingers crossed!) we would love to offer an array of subscription options ranging from 3 to 12-months.

It’ll stop you touching your face which is one of the most highly recommended ways to protect yourself from germs at the moment and stop your droplets travelling as far when you do sneeze or cough suddenly. Commonly worn in East Asia on a daily basis, there’s nothing more comforting than seeing someone suffering with a cold thinking of others and protecting you from their coughs and sneezes. 

While the only kind of mask that’s actually going to protect you from viruses is a medical-grade mask, it’s best to leave those to people most at risk and those working in high-risk environments. Instead, covering our faces can help us adjust to day to day life while lockdown eases and help us travel around safely. And they can be adorable too!

The Best Face Masks for Safe Travel

So here are some of our favourite masks and mask patterns if you’d rather make your own. They all ship worldwide but I have mentioned where they are based since shipping can take a while right now.

*Bear in mind these are not medical grade masks and you should still take every precaution to protect yourself and others from illness whatever mask you choose. This is for your personal protection and isn’t going to beat good hygiene and social distancing measures.

Crochet Face Mask Plus Cotton Liner

This simple crochet face mask features two ear straps and a floral patterned double-ply cotton liner. It’s easy to wash and comes in dark and light colours. The straps are easy to tie around your head or ears so can be made to fit comfortably. This mask is handmade in the US so shipping to Europe might take a while.

Face Mask with Filter Pockets for Adults and Children

A pretty floral mask that comes in three sizes including one suitable for children. Getting your child to keep a mask on is definitely a challenge but keeping grubby fingers off their face is more important now than ever. The mask can be washed and ironed so is easy to disinfect and the pocket allows for you to replace your chosen filter whenever you need. This mask is made in Europe.

100% Cotton Double Sized Mask with HEPA Filter Included

These gorgeous masks come in a range of colours and styles and are totally reversible. The ribbon strings allow for you to tie them as necessary for you and come in four sizes making this a highly customisable face mask. Made from a double layer of pure cotton and a filter, these washable masks are ideal. These masks are handmade in Canada.

Washable Cotton Face Mask

This shop sells some of the cutest masks I’ve seen like this beautiful floral pattern but also some cute cat ones and ones with trains and buses which might make kids more inclined to wear it. They’re machine washable and come with elasticated ear straps (you can iron the mask but not the straps) and also come in adult and children’s sizes. These masks are based in the UK.

Thick Cotton Durable Masks in Muted Tones

Thick durable cotton masks in four sizes, they’re reusable and washable and come with elastic straps. They’re also plain muted colours and include denim and embroidered options that will go with most outfits and blend in more than some of the more patterned masks on this list. They are also very comfortable to wear and highly recommended. These face masks are made in the UK.

3-Layer Kimono Design Face Masks

For a truly stylish face mask, you can go wrong with an eye-catching kimono design. This mask is three layers thick and has a filter pocket for you to insert your own filters. They come in adult and children’s sizes and a range of bright kimono designs. These masks are made in the US.

Recycled Kimono Face Masks by ‘I Was a Kimono’

These made the news recently for being some of the chicest masks around. Recycled masks made from silk Japanese kimonos, they’re beautiful and functional.

They also sell recycled earrings and jewellery if you want to treat yourself. The shop is based in Japan but they ship worldwide (with some limitations at the moment). They have been selling out very quickly so join their mailing list if you’ve had no luck this time!

Pack of Three Ear Savers/ Mask Extenders

Since masks can be uncomfortable on your ears when you’re wearing them for a long time then you can use these mask extenders to fasten the straps behind your head instead. Simple and effective! These would also be super easy to make if you can crochet or knit.

Make Your Own Face Mask Patterns

Perhaps you’re already a knitter, crocheter, or handly with a sewing machine and you want to learn how to make your own! Since most of these everyday masks are handmade there’s nothing stopping you putting together your own and making gifts for your friends, and family.  Plus you won’t have to wait for deliveries! 

Here are some patterns for crochet and sewing plus how to make mask extenders. It’s also a very budget-friendly way of getting yourself protected.

It’s also perfect if you need to alter the design to fit your face and head comfortably, it’s very easy to add longer ear straps to something you’ve made yourself. As someone who’s recently taken up crocheting, this has me rather excited.

Crochet Face Mask Patterns

Bohemian Crochet Face Mask

This is the bright face mask to wear if you want to attract some attention or simply brighten up your own day. It also looks like a really fun project! It’s a simple crochet face mask absolutely covered in crocheted flowers and leaves and this pattern makes it easy.

Simple Crochet Pattern Face Mask

This is a perfect crochet face mask pattern for someone who just wants to make a simple mask with a pocket for your filter to go in. The ear straps are simple chain stitches and the mask itself is suitable for beginners. The lesson comes with pictures and detailed instructions and uses UK crochet terms.

Read More: 8 Inspiring Books on Minimalism and Sustainable Living

Sewing Face Mask Patterns

Simple Sewing Face Mask Pattern

This is a simple mask pattern for sewing a rectangular face mask, it comes with an adult size and a child-size pattern included. The pattern also comes with step by step instructions on how to sew it. It’s great for beginners so don’t be afraid to try making your own mask.

Knitting Face Mask Pattern

Simple Knitting Face Mask Pattern

This simple knitting face mask pattern comes with links to stitch tutorials so it really is perfect for beginners. It also includes an optional sleeve pattern if you want to make a filter pocket. It’s a quick and easy project that’ll protect you and your family.

These top Etsy sellers have some of the best book themed jewelry around so if, like me, you’re in serious need for some excellent jewelry for book lovers, you’ll find it from these guys.

Literary Necklaces

‘Frankenstein’ by Literary Gifts UK

This stunning piece of inspirational jewelry not only boasts a fantastic Frankenstein quote in a lovely font, but the design of both the pendant and the chain looks like it belongs in that gothic 18^th century world of Frankenstein. This is one of the most mesmerising pieces of literary jewelry I’ve seen; it seems to capture the very soul of Shelley’s monumental sci-fi novel.

Frankenstein is my favourite novel in the world. I’ve often thought about getting a Frankenstein tattoo but worried it would look too B-movie. And something even better is this outstanding piece of inspirational jewelry.

‘Literary Necklace’ by Mummybird Pretties

This piece of literary jewelry is handmade! This glass bauble on a chain of deep brass colouring is stunning. It has this ethereal, fairy tale magic that’s just irresistible. Each one of these literary necklaces holds a small, folded page from a romantic novel inside it, something to keep you feeling connected to literature and the power that it holds.

A lot of us hate to be without a book – we carry them in our bags, our jackets, even our back pockets. With one of these literary necklaces, it’s even easier to keep literature as close to your heart as possible, all day, every day. Forever.

‘Raven Pendant’ by Shimmer Creek

You see a raven, you think Poe. That’s not always the case, though. This pendant isn’t strictly for Poe fans; it’s just a great piece of book themed jewelry. That said, if you are a Poe fan, you’re going to love this piece of inspirational jewelry. And same goes if you’re a Lewis Carroll fan. Or if you just think ravens are cool (which they are).

This beautiful book necklace with its raven pendant has such an alluring blend of colours: the black crow, silver chain, and yellowed paper background. It’s flat-out gorgeous; and it is absolutely one of the best pieces of jewelry for book lovers.

Read More: 15 Enamel Pins for Book Lovers

‘Mini Library’ by Jewelry by Compliment

If you’re not looking for a piece of book themed jewelry that isn’t tied specifically to one book or one theme, and you just want to show your love for the world of literature, then this book necklace should prove irresistible. This book necklace is handmade from clay and bronze and is an actual three-dimensional stack of leathery-looking tomes. What an absolute beauty, and a true, honest piece of magnificent jewelry for book lovers.

‘Mini Book’ by Gita’s Jewelry Shop

If you don’t want a book necklace that’s specifically themed, nor too thick and chunky, how about a sleek and stylish book necklace of metal with a brassy sheen? This little book necklace is so precious, so unique; the kind of thing any bookworm would absolutely cherish.

This is a book necklace that’s thin, perfectly sized, gentle and not too bold or brash. It gently and softly tells the world that its wearer truly believes that there’s nothing more precious in all the world than literature.

Literary Bracelets

‘Fyodor Dostoevsky’ by Jezebel Charms

As fanatics of translated literature, we can’t help but marvel and the love and dedication that went into this incredible piece of book themed jewelry. This Dostoevsky cuff bracelet is utterly stunning just as a bracelet and becomes a thing wholly beautiful and unique when you take a closer look.

This is a real piece of inspirational jewelry – black and gold, inscribed with the original Russian passage of Raskolnikov’s confession to Sonia from Dostoevsky’s iconic Crime and Punishment. Rarely have I ever seen a more magnificent and unique piece of literary jewelry.

Read More: Tattoo Ideas for Book Lovers

‘Heathcliff’ by Retro Beads and Bangles

Wuthering Heights is one of the great gothic novels, and Heathcliff one of the most beloved and iconic gothic protagonists. And if wearing a piece of literary jewelry inscribed with Heathcliff’s name wasn’t enough, the way that one of the top Etsy sellers has designed this bangle bracelet here is to capture the word on the page.

It’s not the name removed from the literature, it’s the word as part of the story. It’s irremovable from the book, and I really love that. What a fantastic piece of inspirational jewelry.

‘Agatha Christie’ by Tanith

This literary bracelet is simply outstanding. I’ve never seen anything like it! Handmade with wire and original pages from Agatha Christie novels. If you want a unique way of showing your love of literature, and of capturing literature in a piece of jewelry, this is absolutely it. What a fantastic idea!

If you were ever looking for a real unique and original piece of jewelry for book lovers, this is it. And if you happen to be an Agatha Christie fan, even more so! But, honestly, if you’re not a big Miss Marple fan, it doesn’t matter. This bracelet is too stunning to resist.

Literary Earrings

‘Book Studs’ by Literary Emporium

One of the top Etsy sellers has here provided us with some simple, elegant, and charming book themed jewelry in the form of silver and black book studs. They’re minimalist, cheap, beautifully made, and tell the world that you love books, simple as that. Pure and uncluttered, unpretentious jewelry for book lovers.

‘Literary Earrings’ by Beyond Words Keepsakes

Placed next to each other, these bookish earrings might look a little silly. But when worn, they represent the entire breath of literature. Between the words on one earring, and the words on the other, the entire world can happen.

These silver literary earrings are clear, bold, and entirely unique. Even more impressive is that every pair is handmade. As inspirational jewelry goes, a pair of earrings that encapsulate literature in its entirety is pretty special indeed.

Literary Rings

‘Mr Darcy’ by Retro Beads and Bangles

Literary rings are a lot more rare than literary necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. And when they’re rare, it’s important to get them right. Well, what’s more right than the world of literature’s “Mr Right”, otherwise known as Mr Darcy. This gorgeous piece of book themed jewelry takes the actual text from Pride and Prejudice and keeps it forever precious on a ring that will show the world that the wearer knows a good man when they read one.

For more gifts for her from Etsy, check out this gift guide!