My birthday is coming up way too fast. (What project will this year’s existential crisis spawn? This blog was last year’s.)
I decided to treat myself to a few bookish things this year and I’m very happy with my choices. I also have a few things still on my list: more bookish objects that would further clutter my chaotic house and my deepest bookish dreams that will never come true.
Do I need any of these things? Arguably, no, except for the one about being “just” a librarian (to avoid burnout). My loved ones are healthy and I’ll get to spend time with them around my birthday. I’m so grateful for this, I could (will) cry. Regardless, I hope someone out there enjoys this list and maybe finds some inspiration for a bookish gift for a bookish friend. (How many times can I use the word “bookish” in this post?)
I gifted myself…
Ampersand Necklace by When It Rains
I love ampersands and I love what this necklace represents: possibility and resilience. Technically, my husband bought this for me. We stumbled upon this shop at Tucson’s St. Philip’s Plaza market and I very subtly said, “If you need ideas for my birthday next week, this is it.” And he very subtly said, “What should I get you?” And I very subtly pointed out this necklace. And he very subtly told me to go walk around so he could buy me a birthday gift. And here we are. He did surprise me with a beautiful bookmark from the same shop, but we’ll see if I use it as more than a nice little desk decoration because I’m the worst about using real bookmarks.
Botanical Library Twirl Dress by Svaha USA
Svaha makes all of my Ms. Frizzle dreams come true. I have several bookish dresses and skirts from this company that I’ve acquired over the years, and I’m impressed by the quality of the clothing and the company’s mission. I always get compliments when I wear my clothing from here, and I always respond gleefully, “It has pockets!” Because they understood the assignment: all of their dresses and skirts have real pockets. They had a 50% off sale recently so I finally snagged this dress, another that I’d been eyeing for a year or two, and this cute little dress for my daughter.
Note: This is the one item in this post where your purchase rewards me, but only if you create your account through this link right here before purchasing anything. Use the link or not, no pressure!
By the Book Game by FoxMind
I love puzzles and board games and this is a little bit of each. It can be played solo, which is great for me as an introvert. The game comes with 40 challenges, so I’m not sure yet how “replayable” it is, but if it’s not and I actually beat all 40, I can add it to the high school library’s game collection or work back through the puzzles with my kids someday.
Death of the Author (Deluxe Edition) by Nnedi Okorafor
As a responsible, bill-paying adult, I’m a very happy library patron. I don’t buy a lot of books unless I’ve already read and loved them (or I stumble upon a used copy of something I’ve been meaning to read for a while), but the author will be at the Tucson Festival of Books this year and the premise intrigues me enough that I took a chance on this. And the special edition is cool, highlighting the whole book-within-a-book concept. If I love this book, I’ll be able to get it signed at the Festival and add it to my collection. If I don’t love it, I’ll give it a new home: either the high school library or my neighborhood’s Little Free Library, wherever it’s best suited.
I’m still dreaming about…
Anxiety Bookshelf
Listen, I know I spend a good number of my working hours organizing real life books already. And to be fair, that process does not soothe my anxious soul. Sometimes, depending on the state of the school library, it does the opposite. But there’s something so satisfying about this handheld bookshelf. Maybe it’s the absolute control I’d have, that no Flaming-Hot-Cheetos-smothered teenage fingers could mess up my pristine, orderly shelves for once. Maybe it’s the fulfillment of a subconscious dream to wreck those same shelves and create utter chaos, which would be frowned upon at best in real life and a chore to clean up afterwards. Whatever it is, I applaud whoever thought of this. It’s so weird that it’s genius.
Author Clock
Each minute of the day is represented by a unique literary quote on this clock. Would the author clock distract me from actual writing? Absolutely. All the more reason to want it.
Bibli Plush
Am I a grown woman? Technically. Do I need a happy bookcase plush? Technically not. But oh my gosh, it’s so cute and so on-brand for me. Maybe I can buy it “for my kids” at some point and then slowly commandeer it over time…
A publication date for the next Harry Potter illustrated edition
Five of the seven have been published, and I need to complete the set! I plan to read these editions with my kids when they’re old enough to enjoy the world of Harry Potter.
An end to writer’s block
“If only, if only, the woodpecker sighs, the bark on the tree was as soft as the skies.” (Holes by Louis Sachar)
To be able to be a librarian, full stop
As a school librarian in a state that undervalues public education, I always have a looming sense of dread when the spring rolls around. Will the state approve enough funding in the budget to cover my job? Will my district renew my contract for the following school year? Will I be given yet another non-library duty to justify my employment (looking at you, state testing and Chromebooks) because having someone be “just” a librarian is never enough? My dread has increased this year threefold. One: Our state has a new law that teaching contracts can’t be handed out until March or something, so I have to wait two months longer than in most of my previous years. Two: Public education is almost always under threat at the state and federal levels, and certainly right now. Three: I’m on maternity leave for a few more weeks, and what if they’ve realized they can do just fine without me?
For all my students to love reading
This would probably require a miracle in the shape of an end to state testing, a return to reading whole books in class, and more student freedom to choose what they read, for starters. But a girl can dream. I won’t stop trying!
More time to read
SO many books, SO little time. I make time, but I would always love more of it.
paige in the library 