Moby Dick... Is Finally Over

You guys.

I finally finished reading Moby Dick.

According to Goodreads, I started Melville's classic two summers ago... that's slightly embarrassing. I gave up on the search for the White Whale multiple times, but a friend who is obsessed with the story convinced me I had to finish.

I'm not sure yet if it was worth it. (Sorry Sue!)

But, I did make this great Etsy treasury with a Moby Dick theme as a reward to myself for finishing the book.

There are a bunch more wonderful things in this treasury, including a pretty wonderful sailor brooch. See the full Moby Dick inspired Etsy treasury here.

And if you're into this sort of thing, I've curated a handful of other literary-inspired collections on Etsy.

Have you read Moby Dick? The struggle is real. Please tell me you understand.

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a Pequod-inspired lunch

a super simple cover for Moby Dick

Harry Potter & Taylor Swift

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Printable

As a small side project, I've been creating a series of $0.99 printables for my Etsy shop. I've wanted to veer toward literary themes because I love the community I've found in the book world. (Especially today when I received some really wonderful surprises in my inbox... that will soon show up in my snail mailbox!)

I was thinking a lot yesterday about one of my favorite books, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I always end up drawn to it on September 11 each year. I think it's such a powerful work for those of us that have grown up in this post 9/11 world and I love all the stories Jonathan Safran Foer has shared about the writing process that went into it.

Although spurred by such a tragic topic, one of my favorite things about the book is the beautiful language Foer lends to his characters that have a difficult time communicating in tradition ways. Which is what inspired me to spend a little bit of time today to throw together this 8x10 printable for my weekly project.

Have you read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close? I never saw the movie because the book is so precious to me, and my group of friends. I'd love to know other people's opinions.

If you'd like to download the hi-res version of the printable, simply visit my Etsy shop and grab the instant download for $0.99. And let me know if you do. I'd love to know. Better yet, tag me on Instagram with a snap of it up in your casa.

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my favorite John Updike quote

Wee Edgar Allan Poe

one of my most favorite photos

Crazy Cat Lady Clothes from Skip N' Whistle on Etsy

Books and cats just seem to be the perfect pair. I've been spending many lazy summer afternoons sitting around reading while my cat sleeps nearby (or tries to bite me. Either way), and as a result, I've felt super crazy cat lady-ish lately. Just let us hang all day in peace!

I think I've found the perfect way to announce my official status as a CCL: buying EVERYTHING from the Skip N' Whistle Etsy shop.

Because nothing says "I'm proud to be a Crazy Cat Lady" like this sweatshirt:

But for those who need something a little more subtle:

Seriously, how great is the cat on top of the pile of books? Cats always seem to be laying on top of whatever you need to pick up.

I'm also pretty tempted to buy matching Christmas Cat sweatshirts for my mom and I this season.

Do you, or someone you know, suffer delight in being a CCL? Would you wear these, or are they too over the top? 

See more from Skip N' Whistle in the online shop. 

(God, I love absurd things I find on Etsy)

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more meow meow

obsessed with Maria Semple

Capote liked cats

Bibliophile Candles from Frostbeard Studio on Etsy

You know those times where you totally thought you crossed something off your To Do list but uh, you never did? Like maybe you just dreamed it?

Like this post.

Which is totally worth the wait. The Frostbeard Studio Etsy shop is just amazing.

Based in Minneapolis, the husband and wife team behind Frostbeard specialize in soy candles and wax tarts in beautiful colors with cute labels. The best part is they're all named for characters and locations in books.

So so fun. Clearly I love all the Harry Potter ones, but the Fresh Towel really made me happy.

Apparently they also have a cat assistant. Love it.

Shops like this make me so happy Etsy exists. Good job, Frostbeard!

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more Etsy love

one of my favorite Etsy shops: Ets Place

books Harry Potter vs movies Harry Potter

swooning over these library files

Rabbit, Run Etsy Treasury

You may have noticed, I am obsessed with John Updike.

Also, Etsy treasuries.

I made this Rabbit, Run Etsy treasury quite a bit ago but just updated it. Love all these beautiful things.

And loving both of the Updike books I'm reading right now. There's something really special about reading a biography while reading something by the biography's subject.

Click to see the full Rabbit, Run Etsy Treasury.

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more literary love on Etsy

John Updike 4 Eva

so in love with this lunar photography book

ready for summer reads

Animal Olympics: A Beautiful Vintage Children's Book

I really love the Olympics. And since I'm homeschooling this year, we're doing our long-term project on the Olympics right now. We're learning a LOT, and I have the venn diagrams to prove it.

Obviously, this means I've been obsessing over all things Olympics-related. Even going so far as to search Etsy for the most spectacularly tacky vintage Olympic goods I can find.

Except then I found this really beautifully illustrated children's book from Estonia about the animal olympics, published in 1968.

I happen to love how each animal is matched up with a certain sport (those giraffes are playing basketball, of course). View the Etsy listing for the book.

Know of any more beautiful Olympic books? Tell me!

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did you own tons of Golden Books as a kid?

the most lovely Paper Dahls

The Little Book of Heartbreak is the best February read

a little encouragement. because Olympics?

2014 Reading Resolutions

An Etsy collection to kick-off 2014, complete with everything literary and inspirational.

And my personal resolution for 2014, which I have a feeling is going to be really great.

To get all the links to the shops that created these lovely things, visit the full treasury collection over on Etsy.

Let's all read more in 2014. That means books, magazines, online long form... really anything. Just keep reading.

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more Etsy treasury collections I've curated

my lack of promises to myself in 2014

a map of a book lover's mind

one of the best bookends I've ever seen

A Very Vintage Literary Christmas treasury collection on Etsy

I've decorated my bedroom/office for the holiday season. White lights, a small tree with all gold and silver ornaments, and a few vintage copies of A Christmas Carol out on display. 

I've somehow managed not to spend a billion dollars on all of the beautiful holiday things I discovered on Etsy, but I did make this treasury collection rounding up some of my favorites.

You can view the full treasury on Etsy.

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more Etsy treasuries

gift ideas from Knock Knock & J.Crew

 

the most perfectly packaged gift card

my favorite copy of "A Christmas Carol"

Fall Reads treasury collection on Etsy

I had so much fun making this Literary Gold Treasury List on Etsy, I've now become addicted. Instead of getting any chores done today, I made a Fall Reads Treasury List. Here's a quick preview:

To see the rest of the list, visit it on Etsy, or view the Fall Reads pin board I created.

P.S. Visit my Etsy shop!

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more Etsy love

a book I find myself recommending a LOT lately

a little late for Halloween, but I still love this book

Finding Literary Gold on Etsy

I didn't have to work yesterday, so after doing some actual work I guess I developed an Etsy obsession. First, I created my own Etsy shop (something I've been meaning to do for a while). It's pretty small right now but I'm looking forward to making it grow.

And I discovered the glory of the Treasury Lists. Oh. Boy.

My first is Literary Gold: A Literary Treasure Trove, because duh, gold. And books.

Here's a sneak peak of the list:

I also created the Treasury into a Pinterest board incase you're more into that sort of thing. I assume this is going to be an ongoing thing. Maybe a good work break... err definitely not a procrastination tool.

I guess an Etsy list and a Pinterest board are essentially the same. Which platform do you prefer? 

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more adoration for Etsy
the Golden Book of Biology

Twin Peaks Coloring Book

Etsy find of the week/my life: a Twin Peaks coloring book created by German illustrator Dana Damki.

You can buy it here. Choose from the brightest green ever!!! or lavender.

+ another fave Etsy find: Ets Place
+ still in love with this Golden Book of Biology filled with Charley Harper illustrations

Detroit notebooks from City Bird

During my next visit home I'm definitely making at stop at City Bird in Midtown.

I've been following their Etsy shop for a while but I guess I never realized they had a storefront in Detroit. I love their collection of notebooks and pencils declaring love for Michigan.

They've also published a city guide, "Belle Isle to 8 Mile: An Insider's Guide to Detroit".

You can purchase the city guide in-store or online.

Some of their goods are also sold in a handful of Chicago stores so I'm tempted to scout them out tomorrow. Definitely one of my favorite Etsy finds.

More of my favorite notebooks
and another book about Detroit

1950s Dick and Jane

Etsy is like it's own black hole in the internet. I could spend hours browsing just the vintage books for sale. I love this 14-book set I found from seller BookMonster of 1950s First Edition Dick and Jane readers.

The color combinations and cover illustrations are beautiful. The set is definitely something special.

You can see inside pages and more images on the Etsy listing.
And more Etsy treasures.