I’ve been noticeably out of the book and blogging community for awhile and now that I’m back, I’ve noticed some major differences between the book community back then and the book community now, which is to be expected.
The main difference I want to talk about today is bookish goodies like candles, bookmarks, mugs, pillows, etc being everywhere. For starters, I’ve noticed that there’s a HUGE increased trend for bookish goodies, especially on Instagram. Yes, I know there were some bookish goodies around a year or so ago, but not as much as the book community has today. Everyday I see a post featuring a certain mug, a certain candle, a certain sock, along with books. It’s an extremely smart way to advertise your products in my opinion. Most people love looking at tangible, visual things and photos are a great way to promote your product. After browsing some bookish goodies photos on Instagram, I’ve been tempted to buy several of them myself and have even bought one.
The goodies I’m personally interested in are the mugs. I would totally buy one if I didn’t have a bookish mug already. I’m also tempted to get some pillows – some designs I’ve seen are amazing – but I don’t need any pillows. I love how some people sell bookish socks and clothing, but my issue with buying clothing online is 1) You can’t touch and feel the quality of the clothing and 2) What if it doesn’t fit you? Returning things online is such a hassle. I was tempted to buy some bookish candles until I realized that I would most likely not even use them and only collect them for their fancy labels, which isn’t worth it. Lastly, I often lose pieces of paper so losing bookmarks is beyond common for me.
What I did buy was a beautifully designed Six of Crows phone case that I just couldn’t resist. I’m tempted to buy more, but do I need more? No.
How about you guys? Do you guys like this trend of bookish goodies and have you bought any? I want to know!
I’m like you. I don’t need any of the stuff. Although I have a weakness for mugs. And I like t-shirts, although half the time the t-shirts are like $30, and I have a hard time paying that. That being said, a lot of the stuff becomes dust collectors in my house, and I really don’t need anymore of that. But it is always fun just to see what there is out there!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature) recently posted…Paperback Release Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway – Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Yeah, most of the time, when I see the price tag, I blanch. The only reason why I bought the phone case was because I needed a better one and I really liked the design, otherwise I wouldn’t have spent nearly $37 on a phone case.
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Bookish Goodies
I think Evie’s Six of Crows designs are just that tempting. I don’t need pillows or more mugs but I had to break down and get a No Mourners mug that she did. Sometimes the t-shirts are tempting but I just am not sure I’d really wear it.
Okay, I’m embarrassed to admit I don’t know if this stuff is made by the author/publisher as giveaways or just sold for fans. Kristen has an amazing Insta account so maybe gets sent that more than the rest of us? I’m with Lisa: that stuff looks great in Insta photos but otherwise I don’t have much space for it!
Jen @ YA Romantics
Jen @ YA Romantics recently posted…Just Finished Reading … Public Relations
From what I’ve heard and observed since coming back, Instagrammers – is that what people call them now? – get free goodies from sellers to help promote the sellers’ products in their pictures. The author and publisher doesn’t have a connection to the sellers as far as I know, but I can see that happening in the future.
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Bookish Goodies
I love ALL of the different types of bookish goodies, or swag, that are out there. I unfortunately don’t usually buy them because if I did I would never have any money. lol.
I have to agree though that I always misplace bookmarks. lol. I have started making sure that when I get them I put them IN THE BOOK that they are based on. lol. I have also started a box for bookmarks that don’t have a specific book, or that I haven’t received the books for yet.
Oh goodness, I can’t be THAT organized. It’ll take me forever to find the book to place the bookmark in. Kudos to your dedication!
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Bookish Goodies
Find the book? Oh, no no no! The book mark is usually already in the book when I get it. lol.
I only started the box in the last year. My kids go through it every once in a while and if they see any matches they put them in the right book. (If I have multiples they sometimes get to take them. lol)
AimeeKay recently posted…Cover Reveal ~ Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault by Candace Robinson
Well, I make eyeshadow inspired by books, so….yeah. :)
I’m with you on the clothing, though. There’s a lot of cute prints out there, but I don’t want to buy something whose quality is unknown, especially given it needs to hold up to regular wear.
Oh yes, I’ve seen eyeshadow swag before, specifically for The Winner’s Curse, so I’m not surprised that there are bookish eyeshadow out there!
And exactly! That’s why I never buy clothing online.
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Bookish Goodies
If I really love the series, then I’ll go a take almost any goodies related to it!
I agree with you! I always see these amazing hauls from subscription boxes all over Instagram and in my reader feed and it makes me so tempted to buy or subscribe. Clothes are really a gamble online and not to mention shipping can be really expensive….if I really wanted to buy a book-specific item then I would try to see if I still wanted to buy it after a month or so. That always seems to help me with the urges we all i get when it comes to book and book merch.