Reader Mailbag: Book Merchandise You Own

In the December 2025 newsletter we asked readers what book merchandise (if any), they own.

Here were the responses:

Susan: I have a “Support Public Libraries” t-shirt. It’s my favorite thing to wear when I go pick up my holds and a puzzle or 2 from my favorite libraries in the spring/summer.

I also own an “I’m F.I.N.E.” t-shirt that I purchased from Brome Lakes Books in Knowlton, QC Canada. The quote is from Louise Penney’s Inspector Gamache series. It has proven to be quite a conversation starter.

Note: We allowed people to write in just to say they didn’t own any book merch so they can also enter the contest. Don’t want to exclude anyone!

Mishawn: I don’t have any book merch yet, but I would love to have some Bosch if I could find it!!

Kenicia: I do have book merchandise. I have some sweatshirts and t-shirts. I have a Christmas ornament of a stack of books. I have some tote bags. I have dolls and stuffed animals of various characters. I have book earrings. I have several literary-themed jigsaw puzzles and coloring books.

I probably have other items as well, but that’s all I can think of for now!

Cathy: What a great question!

Those that know me think I am neurotic when it comes to Louise Penny!

My husband and I had the good fortune of visiting Knowlton, Quebec a few years back. Sadly, it was before Cafe Three Pines opened so I think a repeat trip is in order. We had SO much fun that day! People were amazing and so welcoming. I really did think that I was in Three Pines. Shout out to Brome Lake Books!

Love this tee! And, the coasters say “take me to three pines”. The mug is for that perfect cup of coffee. . . now, let me find the croissants.

Beth: While at Universal Studios, I bought a wand.

I intend to buy a Louise Penny F.I.N.E. T-shirt if I can find a V-neck one.

Brenda: I have no book merch, and I don’t know why.

Christine: The absolute closest thing I have to book merchandise is a Wizard of Oz bag from not a book thing, but from the Sphere in Las Vegas from when I went to see the movie there, but it originated from the book. But you did say it was okay to send input even if we really did not have some real book merchandise.

Debby: I carry 3 book bags from 3 different bookstores:

Daunts in London, The Aldeburgh Bookshop in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, both in England and Books on the Common, Ridgefield, CT, USA. I love all three.

Donna: It was by accident that I bought an Alice in Wonderland tshirt. I liked the color without looking closely at the picture. I get lots of comments.

Elizabeth: I do not have any reading merchandise.

Joy: I have several coffee cups with book titles or drawings on them

Judy:

kat: no i dont own any book-related merch
thanks for asking

Nancy: I have several totes that I picked up at libraries. Also at least one sweatshirt that mentions books and dog walking.
I also have refrigerator magnets referencing book club and wine.

Phillip: Hi Graeme. I used to have a MONK T-shirt that I eventually wore out. Known more for the TV show, but there were also 19 MONK books and I read them all.

Phoenix: the answer is actually NO. I’ve thought about, even looked at my tote bags, and I’ve not got a single thing that is book-related. Not even generically book-related. How odd! As an avid reader, and an author, you’d think I would have, but I don’t. I might have to remedy that soon!

Steve: I never bought any book merchandise. Can’t tell you why.

Beth: My latest book related item is my “I Support Public Libraries” t-shirt. Each time I wear it at least one person comments with their personal connection or experience with public libraries. Most of the audiobooks and paper books come from my library’s collection or from one of the statewide libraries that cooperate with sharing books in the NC Cardinal system. I definitely support public libraries!

Carol: I have a couple of t-shirts and at least 1 sweatshirt with book and/or author designs on them. They haven’t been deliberate acquisitions, since I usually have won them in contests, but I do enjoy them.

Chris: I have one book-related shirt that I got about ten years ago and when I wear it, the Outlander fans get it right away. Other people who don’t see the connection, ask me: “Have you been to Edinburgh, then?” I just smile and say, “I wish!”

Joyce: The only book merchandise I can ever remember having were bookmarks back in the day when I only read hard copies. In fact, they were often Christmas/birthday gifts to/from my reading buddies. The best thing about using a bookmark from a special friend is every time you opened the book you thought about that person! Thanks for making me remember that!

Sandy: I don’t currently own any book merchandise but have been eyeing a few coffee mugs and hats. They will be on my Christmas list so, fingers crossed, I get some!

Vicki: From where I sit in my living room I can see the Hobbit bookends (see picture). There’s a pencil box that looks like books on a shelf. There’s a small framed cross stitch my aunt made for me w a reading quote. There’s a knick knack metal cat reading a book right next to a Christmas ornament of stacked books.

Right now I own a Fahrenheit 451 t shirt that always gets comments, a There’s No Such Thing As Too Many Books t shirt, and a I’m a Librarian Because There’s No Job Called Book Wizard t shirt. I’ve worn out some book related shirts, and have others packed in the “I’ll get back to that size” clothing box. I have 4 book themed pairs of earrings, including the iconic ones of book stacks from the New York Public Library in downtown NYC.

I’ve been reading since at least the age of 5 (probably earlier but my memory is fuzzy) and am now a retired librarian. People have been giving me book related gifts for years. One friend even made a computer avatar of me juggling books.