Bookish Shops Worth Bookmarking
For the late-night Etsy browsers. You know who you are.
Let’s get something straight: bookish shops are not bookshops. A bookshop is where you go to buy books. A bookish shop is where you go at 11pm when you should absolutely be asleep, fall into a rabbit hole, and emerge forty-five minutes later having added seven things to a wishlist you will absolutely act on.
There’s a whole economy out here for people who love reading as an entire personality — the bags, the wall art, the advent calendars, the vases shaped like classic novels — and honestly? It’s brilliant. This is my curation of the shops worth knowing about, mostly online, occasionally Etsy (I live there), all genuinely good. I haven’t purchased from every single one, but they’ve got the reviews, the aesthetic, and crucially the specific thing I would personally want to own, which is the only qualification that matters here.
If you’re shopping for a book lover who’s impossible to buy for: start here. If you’re shopping for yourself: same.
(And if you happen to be in London and want the physical bookshop edit — actual shops, actual shelves — that’s [here: link to Best Bookshops in London].)
Bookish Bags
My personal criteria for a bookish bag: functional first, fandom second, chic enough that someone might not immediately clock it but will absolutely notice if they’re paying attention. I’m not cosplaying. I’m just subtly screening my entire personality through my accessories, which is different.
Well Read Company — UK-based, which I appreciate, and they do these beautiful little sling bags that hit the exact right note between everyday functional and cocktail-party acceptable. The kind of bag that works for the farmer’s market and also, theoretically, for a chic Friday night out. Reasonably priced, nicely made, and the bookish references are elegant rather than shouty. Good starting point if you want something that works hard.
notsotangledthreads on Etsy — For the tote bag contingent. These are embroidered canvas totes — recycled cotton, good quality from what the reviews suggest, nice contrast stitching. More overtly functional than the Well Read sling, but in the best way. The kind of tote you grab for a bookshop browse or a library run and it just makes sense. Good reviews, cute shop, does exactly what it says.
Bookish Advent Calendars
The advent calendar is already one of life’s better inventions. A bookish advent calendar — where every door opens onto something that feeds your specific brand of nerdiness — is genuinely one of the best gifts you can give a reader, including yourself. Twenty-four days of small, considered things. I will not hear a word against it.
TheSoundtrack on Etsy — 24 gifts, bookish themed, and from what I can see it’s thoughtfully put together rather than padded out with filler. Etsy shops like this one live and die by their reviews and this one’s holding up well. Cute, considered, and the kind of thing that makes December feel like it has a point.
The Beautiful Book Company — This one leans into the full Christmas moment — think deep greens, gold, properly gift-wrapped. You get actual books alongside the bookish accessories and gifts, all housed in a magnetic close box which, if you know, you know. This is the one for the reader in your life who wants to feel genuinely spoiled. Also the one for you, obviously.
Bookish Vases
I am a flowers person. Always have been. So the discovery that bookish vases exist — ceramic vases designed to look like classic novel spines — was, for me, genuinely life-changing is too strong but I’m going to go with it anyway. They look extraordinary on a bookshelf. They look even better with flowers in them. Both, if you’re feeling ambitious.
Something Different UK — This is the one for the classics lover. Pride and Prejudice, Sherlock Holmes, Anne of Green Gables, The Great Gatsby — they’ve got the canon covered and the prices are very reasonable for what they are. Good gift, good shelf statement, the kind of thing that makes someone’s living room feel like it has a point of view.
Caronshop on Etsy — If you want to personalise — your name, a friend’s name, a title that means something specific — this is the one. Same beautiful concept, made to order. Treat yourself or make someone feel genuinely seen. Either works.
Bookish Wall Art
Wall art is one of those categories where you can find so much that it becomes overwhelming, so I’ve done the scrolling for you. The best bookish wall art sits in the sweet spot between “this is obviously for a reader” and “this could hang in anyone’s home and look intentional.” You want people to clock it and feel something, not feel like they’ve walked into a library gift shop.
Simply Katy — Really lovely feminine aesthetic, well-priced, and she does a nice range beyond just prints — bookmarks and small accessories that coordinate, which is useful if you’re building a gift or just want the whole vibe to be consistent. The prints are cute without being cloying. Good shop.
byKHAY on Etsy — This one’s more editorial. Less “pretty quote on a nice background,” more considered design — some book covers, some more abstract bookish references, things that work as actual art rather than just signals. If your taste runs a bit more specific and you want something that doesn’t look like every other bookish flat lay you’ve seen on Instagram, start here.
Honourable Mentions: The Physical Shops
Because I can’t in good conscience write a piece called Bookish Shops and not mention that some of the best bookish things — the totes, the tote bags, the tote bags with opinions — come from actual physical bookshops with their own merch.
Daunt Books does beautiful totes that people genuinely carry as a personality statement. The British Library shop is one of the best gift shops in London, full stop — cards, prints, notebooks, the lot. And if you’re ever in Gay’s the Word on Marchmont Street, check what’s on the counter. Always something worth picking up.
For the full London bookshop guide, that’s [over here: link to Best Bookshops in London].
Got a bookish shop I’ve missed? I’m always in the market for a new rabbit hole.