Book Fetish

Bookish Summer Goods for Summer Reading Fun

Kelly Jensen Jun 1, 2022

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Kelly Jensen

Editor

Kelly is a former librarian and a long-time blogger at STACKED. She's the editor/author of (DON'T) CALL ME CRAZY: 33 VOICES START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH and the editor/author of HERE WE ARE: FEMINISM FOR THE REAL WORLD. Her next book, BODY TALK, will publish in Fall 2020. Follow her on Instagram @heykellyjensen.

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I am a tried-and-true, passionate lover of summer. I know there’s been a lot of interesting and thought-provoking discourse in recent years about whether many of us actually love summer as a season or we love it because we’ve associated it with a sense of freedom from constraint, thanks to it being a break from school in our younger years. Me? I love it. Give me sun, heat, tall glasses of fizzy water, some shades, and my hammock and I’ll be happy (and this goes even if I never step outside in summer, too — even the rainy days feel luxurious because of how long and slow they move).

One way to get into the celebratory mood for the upcoming season is to stock up on some bookish summer goods. I’ve pulled together a little of everything here, from stickers and enamel pins to cute drinkware, totes, and more. Consider this your one-stop shop for leaning into your love for the season or as a means of finding some joy in a season you’re not so keen on. I find even in my less-loved season, if I surround myself with reminders to be in that season, I’m able to enjoy it just a little bit more.

Hot tip: maybe purchase a couple of these things and tuck them away as prizes for taking part in a summer reading challenge. This could be a challenge you make up yourself, one you take on through a local library or book club, engaging in activities to amp up your bookish summer fun, or using the longer days of sun to catch up on your Read Harder challenge. I personally use the summer to pick an author or series and read my way through — let me tell you how well the Ramona Quimby books hold up and that the Norma Klein books were absolutely something special in YA.

Bookish Summer Goods for Summer Reading Fun

Image of a candle on a table. The candle has a pink label reading "summertime stories."

Light a thematic candle while reading indoors. I love that this one is called summertime stories and features all of the delicious sweet smells of summer. $18.

Image of a pink t-shirt beside flip flops and shorts. The shirt says "summer is better with a book."

Summer is absolutely better with a book. Select from several color options with this summer reading tee. $24, up to 3XL.

Image of a drinking glass. In retro font, it reads "reader" over and over.

I can imagine how delicious and refreshing lemonade would taste in this retro reader glass. $16 and up.

Inside the gutter of an open book and through a magnifying glass is a pin. The round pin reads "every summer has a story" and features images like a smoke, water, sunglasses, and ice cream.

What will your summer story be this year? Grab one of these enamel pins for $8.

A brightly-colored book sleeve on top of an open book. The fabric of the book sleeve is summer themed, with beach blankets, beach bathers, and fruit.

I am tempted to pick up one of these fun book sleeves to keep what I’m reading safe from the elements while I’m out and about (…in my backyard) this summer. $17 and up, depending on size.

Minimalist wall art on a bedroom wall. The art is of a person reading a book with a cup of coffee.

There is nothing I do not love about this minimalist reader art. The clean lines. The simplicity. The fact it could be anybody just chilling with a book and cuppa. It’s a little pricier, but if you’re looking for a knockout bookish decor piece, this is it. $120 and up, depending on size.

Image of a keychain in the shape of sunglasses. Reflected in one of the lenses is the book cover for Malibu Rising.

I try to avoid putting any specific author/book into these roundups unless that’s the focus, but this sunglasses keychain was just too great to not include. Whether you’re a TJR megafan or not, this summer reading keychain is adorable. $7.

Image of a sticker on a pink stripe background. The sticker is in the shape of a pink flamingo pool float and reads "sunshine and a book makes for a perfect day."

This sticker speaks the truth. $4.

Image of a black t-shirt. There is a cat on a stack of books. The words on the shirt read: summer: so many books, so little time.

Cat + book + summer = your summer reading uniform tee. $24, with color options up to size 3XL.

Image of pair of flip flops featuring images from Alice in Wonderland (the book).

Do your flip flops feature Alice in Wonderland? No? Now they can. $20.

Image of a white hand holding a book page holder. The holder is blue and sparkly and shaped like a whale.

Whale say hello to your new favorite book page holder. $9.

Image of a canvas tote bag. The tote reads "Sun, Smutt, and Sangrias."

Personally, I spell smut with a single t, but the double t puts a unique emphasis on it. Put your favorite smutt in these great tote bags. $13 and up.