Hi, hello! I know we’ve been talking a lot about my recent release, The Vindicated Queen. Let’s pivot this week and talk more about all the other wonderful things you can find at bookstores besides books. I’m talking totes, candles, stickers, Kindle accessories, keychains, apparel, and so much more. I have been looking for these goodies recently; I already bought so many great titles, and I want to catch up on them before expanding my library!
As the holiday shopping season approaches (or it’s already here), I know a lot of people are trying to find gifts and shop locally. Some of us are trying to specifically shop local to support our communities and boycott millionaires where possible. If you’re shopping for someone (yourself included!) who seems to have every book they need, then maybe your indie bookshop might have more items that fit on everyone’s wish lists.
Today, I’m going to highlight some of my favorite brands that I tend to see during my bookstore quest. These are not affiliated links and I’m not sponsored to speak about any brands. This is just an opportunity to give a shoutout to bookish brands I genuinely love. Enjoy!
Bewick’d Studio
Let’s start off with some candles. Bewick’d Studio has a variety of candles and wax melts that are perfect for fiction lovers. For example, the scents are based on characters, worlds, tropes, and genres. I love that you can get a scent sample if you are trying to figure out which scents suit your reading space. Of course, you can smell them for free by checking out an indie bookstore. There’s a list of retailers to see if there’s a bookshop near you that carries Bewick’d candles. Click here to get some new bookish scents.
Blissfully Bookish
If you’ve seen me wear this bow at author events, now you know where to get one just like it! Blissfully Bookish is best known for apparel and accessories. I’ve collected two embroidered jean jackets, and I have my eye on their pajama sets for preorder.
Beyond things to wear on your body, you can grab totes, enamel pins, keychains, bumper stickers, regular stickers, and more. A lot of their merch reflects favorite fantasy tropes or characters.
Some of you might recognize some designs, as they’ve been a part of several prominent book box subscription services. Click here to visit the main website.
Blossom & Book
I got to meet the owner of Blossom & Book at my first book ball, so I’ve had an opportunity to check out their goods in person. I know them best for their romantasy shirts; the style is great for a grungy look. Conversely, the Kindle/Kobo cases and totes are ideal for cottagecore fans. Again, this is a great brand for those into fiction tropes and series. A lot of the designs can be found on prints, apparel, stickers, etc. So if you like the design but want to show it off in a specific way, Blossom & Book got you! Click here to check out their holiday offers and surprises.
Brittany Keller Art
You might recognize Brittany Keller’s art style; I’ve seen her work on many a romance novel cover. But if you’re interested in things beyond beautiful book covers, then you’ll have to check out her art prints, calendars, tarot decks, and more. Her artwork is known for beautiful, diverse women depicted in nature or enjoying a good book. The use of bold reds and pinks is a signature style choice, too. I personally have the tarot deck, and it’s gorgeous! You can click here to check out the Etsy shop.
Cantrip Candles
As I’m typing, I’m getting a whiff of the Coffee Shoppe candle I have in my office. It’s the most wonderful-smelling candle I have! Cantrip Candles is ideal for scents for any tabletop adventure. I mean, if you’re reading a cozy D&D-inspired fantasy novel, the wares are a great addition to the aesthetic. A D20 die lies within each candle as a prize for enjoying the scent. There are other supplies like drinkware and apparel that are more ideal for tabletop players and high fantasy book fans. Click here for RPG-worthy scents.
C*ckmark
Well, I’ll do my best to explain this, but I feel like you know what I’m talking about. If you’re into romance or smutty reads, you’ve likely visited a romance bookstore that sells these cheeky bookmarks. They come in many shades that fit popular genres and male characters. If you’re looking for a more adult gift for yourself or a smut reader, then you’ll find these phallic bookmarks very entertaining. Click here for blush-worthy bookmarks.
The Darling Effect
Sometimes, we want decor and supplies that don’t necessarily scream “bookish” but fit our aesthetics. In that case, The Darling Effect is ideal for decor, blankets, apparel, drinkware, and more. I recently got a cozy blanket from a bookstore, which looks fantastic on my reading chair. Click here for cozy, cozy goods.
Jollie Ollie
So, I’ve been seeing Jollie Ollie stuff at bookstores already, but I didn’t know they were an Austin-based store, too. Here, you can find tons of bookish finds, including stickers, banners, Kindle accessories, hair claws, stationery supplies, keychains, bookmarks, and more. Another perfect match for fantasy, fiction, and romance readers. The designs are very cute, bubbly, and retro. You can click here to also become obsessed.
The Nerf Herder Co.
I initially met the owner of The Nerf Herder Co. at some local bookish events in Utah. So whenever I see their candles in Texas, it brings me so much joy. They’re primarily known for scents—candles, perfumes, mists, and wax melts—that match several popular fandoms. Think Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, major book series, and more. They recently released some candles that are ideal for genres like dark romance and dark academia. Whether you’re looking for something to add to PR boxes or decor for your reading space, you can’t go wrong with these sophisticated designs and smells.
Here’s a photo of me wearing a “May the Force Be With You” sweater. I brought it with me to Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo! There are other apparel options if candles aren’t your thing. Click here to get to shopping.
Pippi Post
This brand has quite an extensive collection of goodies for book lovers. If you love fiction or English literary classics, you’re going to find all kinds of treasures. I’m talking drinkware, apparel, stickers, puzzles, stationery, printables, and more. There’s also a lot of holiday-specific stuff if you want things that have some holiday/bookish puns on them. The designs are very family-friendly, so it’s ideal for young or old readers, authors, editors, teachers, etc. Click here to check out their products.
Punchkins
Punchkins, overall, is known for cartoon-faced plushes. But I know them for their plush books. They often have designs or quotes based on genres. Think of phrases like “I like my books banned.” You can also find some plushes based on English literary classics like Pride & Prejudice. Some of them (based on genre) can get a bit cheeky but they seem like great gifts for bookish folks looking to spruce up a reading chair. Click here to find a plush book.
Talking Out of Turn
If you’re into stationery, journals, or annotating your books, you’ll probably love the sets of pens you can get called Jotter Pens. Each package comes with a handful of pens in matching colors and phrases based on book genres, holidays, tropes, and more. The brand, Talking Out of Turn, has lots of other office supplies and home decor with bold colors. Click here to upgrade your pens.
Xtinascraftcorner
You’ve likely seen their work for purchase or as decoration in your indie bookshop. They look like street signs but depict favorite tropes and genres. For example, I have a pink sign that says “FANTASY LN.” They have since added keychains, ornaments, and other bookish decor. Here’s the link to her Etsy shop.
Well, here’s just a short list of shops. I’m sure there are more. If you have a favorite that did or didn’t make this list, let me know in the comments! I’d happily make this into a series so more small businesses get the attention they deserve. Until then, happy shopping and happy reading!
