Chances are, if you enjoy sending cards, you also appreciate a good read. This certainly became crystal clear yesterday, when my fabulous Stationery Club subscription box from East Bay Book Sellers arrived. Elizabeth Freeman lovingly sources and packs every last one herself. She focuses on easy-to-overlook items that are beautiful, functional and feel good to use, highlighting both product and packaging that incorporates recycled or sustainable materials.
Elizabeth’s exquisite mailings are far more precious than the sum of their parts — and as such, will receive dedicated coverage soon — but clearly, the Venn Diagram overlap between paper and book people is enormous. Thus this cult favorite subscription box was an earth-friendly, upcycled joy to unbox, slowly revealing the Japanese Profolio Oasis Pocket Notebook, Blackwing pencils and Ingrid Press greeting cards — to say nothing of the washi from The Completist, which you also see on the box front and adhering the contents page to the inside of the box. (The East Bay Booksellers eraser was a happy bonus!)
Clearly paper and book nerds love discovering untold treasures … and passing them along to those who will appreciate them as well. Which brings me to this post. You’ve all doubtless heard of The Book of Lists — but how about Book Checklists from Free Period Press?
Studies show that reading improves empathy, memory, and sleep, and reduces stress — and I agree, as I’ve been happily self-medicating this way since I learned to read (as listeners of my latest Paper Fold episode can attest). However, nothing makes me feel more discombobulated than when I don’t know what I’m reading next, and I know I am not alone here. In our age of information-overload, this is more overwhelming than ever, especially when it comes children’s books.
Coming to the rescue are these wonderfully designed eight curated book checklists — five for kids (Board Books, Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade, and Young Adults) and three for adults (Romance Novels, Cozy Reads, and LOL Reads). Each features 50 diverse book recommendations, as well as dedicated space for the date of completion and rating.
These are versatile, dynamic and smart, able to be displayed on a wall or folded to act as an actual bookmark. Meanwhile each back features tidbits, fun facts, quotes, and activities.
It took an artistic village to bring these to life. Collaborators include: Mikey Burton (designer), The Ripped Bodice (Romance list curator), Nahomy Ortiz-Garcia (Cozy and LOL list curator), Farrah Penn (Kid lists curator), Lizze Schlafer (photographer) — as well as the extremely friendly librarians at the CHUH and Nordonia libraries here in Cleveland who provided valuable review assistance.
Speaking of which, everything is printed on 100% recycled paper here in Cleveland. Lora tells me that bookstores are accordingly loving them, and at $8 a pop, they pack so much into such a little space.
As stocking stuffers, as little add-ons to tuck into cards and other gifts, their uses are as infinite as the stories they hold. Shop them all here and start doing your part already to get great reads into book-hungry hands!
