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Reminder: please please please order holiday gifts from indies if you can. I know! It’s only October! But actual people process your orders at indies and indies DO care if their employees get sick—unlike some online megaretailers—so order EARLY. https://twitter.com/harvardbooks/status/1316761755822043137
I know it feels wrong to think holiday gifts before Halloween! But I’m trying. Besides books, indies offer tons of fun gift options: T-shirts, puzzles, mugs, art, games, toys and stuffed animals. And more!
Should I do a thread of gift ideas from indies?
Just realized I am currently wearing a T-short from @ravenbookstore right now! (Headless photo b/c my hair is still wet. Also, I cut the sleeves and neck b/c that’s how I like my T’s, but be assured the T does have both.) https://www.ravenbookstore.com/merch
Forgot the photo (haven’t had caffeine yet, obviously)
Okay, clearly there's interest, so here's a thread of ideas for gift you can get from indies. Reminder: Order ASAP to give indies time to process and to allow for increased delivery times (thanks, Trump and COVID!) THREAD:
First, here's why to support indies: They're hurting right now. https://twitter.com/kathrynschulz/status/1317209179304722433?s=20
Want to hear it direct from indies themselves? A thread from my beloved @PorterSqBooks explaining why "October is the new December" in terms of buying gifts: https://twitter.com/PorterSqBooks/status/1317135506132602881?s=20
Another letter from @HarvardBooks on what indies are going through right now, and how you can help: https://twitter.com/HarvardBooks/status/1316761755822043137
"okay okay I GET IT just give me the fun gift ideas already"
Here we go!*
*possibly will be interrupted by my child shortly but we'll make this an ongoing thing, okay?
Here we go!*
*possibly will be interrupted by my child shortly but we'll make this an ongoing thing, okay?
1. I own and absolutely adore this T from @justonemorepage! It is very soft and it just makes me laugh--something your loved ones could surely use these days, no? https://www.bonfire.com/making-your-way-downtown/
*I was indeed interrupted by my child, hence the delay; this is clearly going well
1a. Book Pairing ideas: ON IMMUNITY, by Eula Biss https://www.onemorepagebooks.com/search/site/on%20immunity
(obviously, order from your local indie or @Bookshop_Org if you prefer!)
(obviously, order from your local indie or @Bookshop_Org if you prefer!)
1b. If your recipient is more of a fiction lover, perhaps STATION ELEVEN, by Emily St. John Mandel? https://www.onemorepagebooks.com/book/9780804172448
2. Here's an amazing T from @mahoganybooks in DC. https://www.mahoganybooks.com/bbm-002
2a. Pair it with some Audre Lorde (this, or any of her other books--you can't go wrong) https://www.mahoganybooks.com/9780486818993
2b. If your gift recipient hasn't read THE FIRE THIS TIME, it would also be a great gift pairing: https://www.mahoganybooks.com/9781501126352
2c. Got more of a fiction lover? How about Brit Bennett's THE VANISHING HALF https://www.mahoganybooks.com/9780525536291
2d. Or Anissa Gray's THE CARE AND FEEDING OF RAVENOUSLY HUNGRY GIRLS? https://www.mahoganybooks.com/9781984802439
2e. For a short story lover, perhaps pair the T with A LUCKY MAN by Jamel Brinkley? https://www.mahoganybooks.com/9781555978433
3. @RedBalloonBooks in St. Paul has a fantastic T shirt and offers *great* presents for kids and, uh, adult-sized kids. I've loved them since I was 12. https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/red-balloon-shirt-blue
3a. @redballoonbooks offers a lovely selection of toys and games: https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/games
3b. ... but let's do some specific pairings b/c I think those are fun. Pair this Go Fish game with STUCK by Oliver Jeffers, or any of Jeffers's books. We're very partial to Once Upon an Alphabet in this house, too. https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/book/9781984826749
3c. And LOST AND FOUND, by Oliver Jeffers, would make a great pairing with this Pengoloo game. (Or perhaps a penguin-themed book of your choice.) https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/pengoloo-fun-south-pole-eggspedition
3d. This game is great for grownup word-nerds and beginning readers alike: https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/book/9781524761134
3d. My 10yo loves this game (you build a 3D planet to "gather" animals in different habitats! It uses magnets and is one of the rare games that's fun for adults too.) https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/planet
Only 4 tweets in and I already messed up my numbering (*gets more tea*)
3e. For a kid, pair the PLANET game with ANIMALIUM (a gorgeous animal book): https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/book/9780763675080
3f. Or pair PLANET with a book encouraging care for the environment, like DR. WANGARI MAATHAI PLANTS A FOREST... https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/book/9781733329217
3g. Or PLANET would pair well with this, by @StrangeAnimaIs. Sure to delight the animal lover AND the gross-loving kid in your life. https://www.redballoonbookshop.com/book/9781788785327
4. I bet you know someone who'd love this typewriter T from @HarvardBooks: https://www.harvard.com/goods/only_at_hbs/t-shirts/
4a. Pair the T with this typewriter puzzle, which I can personally confirm is surprisingly challenging (and very satisfying when done). https://shop.harvard.com/book/9780735357464
4b. Or how about this gorgeous coffee-table book about typewriters? (Drool.) https://shop.harvard.com/book/9781452154886
4c. Here are some other typewriter-themed gifts I didn't plan to mention but am including because: TYPEWRITERS! 20 different notecards: https://shop.harvard.com/book/9781452122175
4d. A box of notepaper that LOOKS LIKE A TYPEWRITER. https://shop.harvard.com/book/9781452136318
4e. Wondering how typewriters work(ed) in China? THE CHINESE TYPEWRITER would probably fascinate history buffs, language fanatics, Sinophiles, and even engineers. https://shop.harvard.com/book/9780262536103
4f. One last typewriter-themed gift idea: for lovers of POST SECRET, FOUND Magazine, and LETTERS OF NOTE, how about NOTES FROM A PUBLIC TYPEWRITER? Collected confessions, missives, and notes of love left on--well, you know. https://shop.harvard.com/book/9781538729113
5. That last rec is a perfect segue to @LiteratiBkstore, where that typewriter is stationed! They offer great T-shirts and totes, but I'm partial to this "Read to me" Onesie: https://www.literatibookstore.com/read-me-onesie
5a. Pair the book onesie with your favorite picture book! Some of our favorites include DU IZ TAK, by Carson Ellis... https://www.literatibookstore.com/book/9780763665302
5b. For an infant, you can't go wrong with anything Sandra Boynton. I probably read this to my son more than 200 times: https://www.literatibookstore.com/book/9781442454101
5c. Or, pair the onesie with a gift for the parents, like HOW TO RAISE A READER, by Pamela Paul. https://www.literatibookstore.com/book/9781523505302
5d. Another good book to pair with a bookish onesie: CRIB SHEET, by Emily Oster. I'd have cried tears of relief if someone had handed me this when my son was a baby. https://www.literatibookstore.com/book/9780525559276
6. Another great onesie for a bookish baby's gift: this READ ME BOOKS one from @wordbookstores. https://www.wordbookstores.com/shirt/read-me-books-onesie
6b. For the older siblings, pair the onesie with this "I READ BOOKS" T, also from @wordbookstores: https://www.wordbookstores.com/shirt/i-read-books-shirt-young-readers
6c. And why not make it a whole-family gift with this "I'VE READ BOOKS" T for the parent(s): https://www.wordbookstores.com/shirt/ive-read-books-t-shirt
6d. The writer OR reader in your life would probably love this sWORD tote from @wordbookstores: https://www.wordbookstores.com/penswordtote
6e. Tuck a book of your choice into the tote bag and bam! Gift accomplished.
7. Many indies offer an array of journals that make great gifts! Pair w/ a nice pen, some tea, or art supplies. For example: The classic WRECK THIS JOURNAL, along with some Sharpies, a bag of good coffee, and a pair of scissors (it makes sense, trust me). https://www.greenapplebooks.com/book/9780399161940
8. THIS BOOK IS A PLANETARIUM is truly magical--a pop-up book for adults as well as kids that's also a speaker, musical instrument, infinite calendar, and spirograph. (We own it and it actually works!). Pair with a flashlight--done. https://www.greenapplebooks.com/book/9781452136219
I clearly should have done this in a more organized way--perhaps by recipient? 
For babies, some excellent bookish onesies (and favorite baby-book pairings):
9. This HOWL onesie from the venerable @CityLightsBooks: http://www.citylights.com/bookstore/?fa=books_gear
9a. Pair with the very soothing TREE: http://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100490880
10. @PorterSqBooks has this adorable onesie featuring reading bears: https://www.bonfire.com/porter-square-books-reading-together/?productType=b7c2bdfb-f5d6-41cb-9011-6a4a312aa69e
10a. Not to mention bigger variations for older siblings, so they don't feel left out! https://www.bonfire.com/porter-square-bookselling-bear/?productType=a5003bc8-4abb-4bad-8f6d-24ccbe2d17e0
10b. Pair with any bear-related book for family reading time. There's the classic CORDUROY, of course, but there's also THE BEAR ATE YOUR SANDWICH... https://www.portersquarebooks.com/book/9781984852090
10c. ... A BIRTHDAY FOR BEAR https://www.portersquarebooks.com/book/9780763668617
10d. ...or, for the child sophisticate, there's THE BEAR THAT WASN'T. https://www.portersquarebooks.com/book/9781590173442
10e. Or, pair with the best book I know for to send the whole family into shrieking hysterics: THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES. Adults have to say ridiculous things; little kids love the silliness; babies will love the goofy noises. https://www.portersquarebooks.com/book/9780803741713
11. Got an audiobook lover? You can get them audiobooks via http://Libro.fm (vs. Audible, which is owned by Amazon...) https://libro.fm/
Also: @rebeccamakkai has a HUGE (and way more organized) list of gift suggestions to help indie bookstores out. Check it out, order something if you can, keep indies alive, finish your holiday shopping early, everyone wins. https://twitter.com/rebeccamakkai/status/1316133391323009025
