Gift Guide: For the Literati

I live with a book lover who, if he could, would spend his entire day reading about and researching the history of fly fishing. I myself have my own obsession: clean-lined design old and new. Here, I’ve combined our two interests into a roundup of well-made accessories for readers, writers, and typography fans of all stripes. 

To make sure we’ve got everyone on your list covered, we’re posting a new gift guide every weekday from now until Christmas. See all of the Gift Guides to date in our archive.

Above: A Read Instead Print looks good against a wall of books–and is meant to be a reminder to look away from our gadgets. The hand-screened print measures 15 inches by 22 inches and is made from a painting by Erik Heywood, owner of Book/Shop; $45 unframed. Read about the shop in our post The New Bookstore Model: Book/Shop in Oakland, California. 

Above: A leather case for reading glasses or sunglasses. The Kenton Good Times Roll is made in Wisconsin of hand-stitched tanned vegetable leather; $105 from Kenton Sorenson, a barber turned leather artisan. 

 

Above: For hands-free reading–especially handy when using the iPad in the kitchen for displaying recipes. This US-made, dishwasher safe iPad Stand is from Food 52’s shop Provisions; $35. Also available: recyclable plastic sleeves for protecting your iPad from food splatters.

Above: The square and rounded Book Stopper in copper or brass designed by Swedish team Broberg & Ridderstrí¥le; $60 each from Mjölk.

 

Above: The Midori Brass Stencil Bookmark is sized for slipping inside paperbacks and notebooks, and stands ready to be used as a straight edge and stencil; $17.50 from This Is Ocean. 

 

Above: Bauhau-inspired typography designed in 1937 by Arne Jacobsen for Aarhaus City Hall has made its way onto mugs. The Arne Jacobsen Cup is $22 from the Finnish Design Shop–for each select the letter of your choice. Photo via Wild Swans. 

 

Above: A reminder to occasionally look beyond the page–a linen Cushion embroidered with a St. Augustine quote oft repeated by Estrid Ericson, founder of Stockholm interiors store Svenskt Tenn. Made in several colors, it’s 1550 SEK from Svenskt Tenn. 

Looking for some great books? Browse our Required Reading gallery. And don’t miss our own new book, Remodelista, A Manual for the Considered Home.