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The Goods

Bookish Goods That You Don’t Have To Worry About Fitting Your Body

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Ashlie Swicker

Contributor

Ashlie (she/her) is an educator, librarian, and writer. She is committed to diversifying the reading lives of her students and supporting fat acceptance as it intersects with other women’s issues. She's also perpetually striving to learn more about how she can use her many privileges to support marginalized groups. Interests include learning how to roller skate with her local roller derby team, buying more books than she'll ever read, hiking with her husband and sons, and making lists to avoid real work. You can find her on Instagram (@ashlieelizabeth), Twitter (@mygirlsimple) or at her website, www.ashlieswicker.com.

Being bookish is definitely not a matter of whether or not you read. The thing I’ve noticed the most since returning to the book world as an adult is that it is a lifestyle. BookTok and Bookstagram help spread the lingo and solidify the inside jokes about our TBR piles. We can comment on each other’s Goodreads feeds and share our thoughts on our latest read with the world. And there is an entire industry devoted to creating bookish swag we can use to advertise that we are Bookish with a capital B.

But there is a wrench thrown into the mix, and that is accessibility. While there are hundreds of witty T-shirts and cozy hoodies with clever quips about the bookish life, it is infrequent that the sizing is clear or goes past a 3X, if it even inches past XL. So many times I’ve wanted to purchase a sweatshirt that is pictured on a slim figure, hems dangling tantalizingly past their fingertips. Then I see the little note “size up for a roomy fit.” Then I realize that I cannot risk this. Even if they offer what I consider my size, I don’t know how the fabric will sit or how much I can trust issues of shrinkage. Let’s be clear: the clothes are never pictured on someone who looks like me.

Finding plus-sized bookish clothes in fits cut for fat people is not impossible. Torrid is reliable for clothes featuring pop culture franchises, including some book series. However, sometimes I just want to poke around on Etsy and buy something that makes me chuckle without scouring reviews for fit tips or researching a return policy. Enter my list of bookish goods that don’t have to fit. 

Bookish Mugs

black mug with gold print reading "a well read woman is a dangerous creature."

Drink from a mug that proclaims you for what you are. Starting at $17.

glass cup with the words "death by TBR" and a skull on top of books

Death by TBR doesn’t seem like such a bad way to go. Starting at $20.

glass mug with black lettering that reads "stayed up all night reading" with a black moon and stars

Add a caffeinated beverage to this glass mug and slog through until you can get back to your book. Starting at $21.

Bookish Stickers

pink sticker with bubble letters reading "bookworm" and a picture of a worm with books and glasses

Is anything cuter than this sticker? $5

sticker in the shape of an iced coffee cup with bubble letters that read "All I need is iced coffee and spicy reads."

No shame in the spice game. Find someone to swap romance recs with by placing this sticker for all to see. $4

orange and pink oval sticker with books and flowers that says "reading is good for the soul."

Love the slightly retro vibe on this soulful sticker. $5

sticker in the shape of a tombstone with the words "when I die delete my kindle history."

I am not ashamed of my Kindle history, but this sticker made me laugh. $3

Bookish Enamel Pins

rainbow bookshelf pin with a sliding ladder

What is more delightful than a rainbow bookshelf pin? One with a sliding ladder! Starting at $12.

enamel pin in the shape of a black book with gold cursive words saying "it's lit"

Wear this enamel pin when it is, indeed, quite lit. $12

pin in the shape of a fine country home with the words "bridgerton house" in gold script across the front gate

The detail on this pin lets you know you’re wearing a piece of art. $14

Bookish Keychains

retro motel keychain with the words "book club baddie" in script

This motel keychain style is so cute. Every book club baddie needs one. $8

acyrlic keychain in the shape of a pink heart with the word "books" in red bubble fonf

When you want to keep it simple, this keychain says it all. $9

Hopefully, you’ve found some items that pique your interest. You have every right to demand cute bookish clothing in sizes that fit and flatter. However, if you’re tired of fighting and just want a pick-me-up, these items will fit the bill!