Please tell me a little more about yourself and what inspired you to start Literary Book Gifts.
My name is Melissa and I am from the beautiful city of Toronto. I was inspired to start putting books on shirts when I couldn't find any graphic t-shirts I liked. Since I have a background in design I decided to make my own.
You have a lot of great designs available in your shop, which one is your favourite (and is there a reason why)?
Emily Dickinson was an amazing poet and archivists have saved many of her poems written in her original handwriting. For the Emily Dickinson design, I placed her 'Hope is the thing with feathers' poem (one of my favourites of hers) onto a small swallow that looks as if it is flying through her words. It is my favourite because it captures the feeling of the poem while also being the poem itself.
What’s your favourite bookish merch item?
I love the backpacks because you can have the same design with you every day. If you wore the same shirt every day, I am sure you would get some sideways glances.
What book are you currently reading?
An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser.
What cultural value do you see in writing/reading/storytelling/etc.?
I think the narratives that come from writing, reading, and storytelling are a very significant part of our culture. Many of the titles I have in the store were written over 100 years ago yet somehow are still relevant today, and often much more so than their contemporary counterparts. Authors like Charles Dickens and Jane Austen have not only influenced culture but also contemporary literature itself.
If you could be a character in any novel you’ve read, who would you be and why?
I would be Wendy in Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie because she gets to go to Neverland and never grow up!
Do you accept custom orders?
Yes, I can do custom orders! Email me to let me know what you had in mind and I can see what I can do.
Use the promo code INSPIREDCHAOS20 for 20% off anything at Literary Book Gifts! There's no minimum, and this code can be used unlimited times!