{"id":6369,"date":"2026-09-15T02:29:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T09:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/?p=6369"},"modified":"2026-07-13T15:30:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T22:30:27","slug":"book-ish-things-i-gathered-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2026\/09\/15\/book-ish-things-i-gathered-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Book-ish Things I Gathered This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">things for my analog bag, bookshelf and reading life that are not books<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"771\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PXL_20260713_175116034-771x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6370\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7529237774621028;width:486px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PXL_20260713_175116034-771x1024.jpg 771w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PXL_20260713_175116034-226x300.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PXL_20260713_175116034-768x1020.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PXL_20260713_175116034-1157x1536.jpg 1157w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PXL_20260713_175116034-1542x2048.jpg 1542w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PXL_20260713_175116034-1560x2072.jpg 1560w, https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PXL_20260713_175116034-scaled.jpg 1928w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 771px) 100vw, 771px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over this summer, I\u2019ve ended up collecting a handful of delightfully book-ish things that made reading feel even more fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None of them were necessities, of course. But I\u2019ve learned that surrounding myself with little fun things invites me to pick up a book, linger a little longer in my journal, or celebrate the reading life I want to build. They\u2019ve added joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I like to think of these little finds as the kind of gift I\u2019d surprise a dear friend with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>\u201cI saw this and immediately thought of you.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes it\u2019s nice to be that thoughtful friend to yourself. \ud83c\udf38<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Does this whole thing sound silly?<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out my first book-ish list post to see my reason why I collect these things and enjoy them so much:<a href=\"https:\/\/embracinghome.substack.com\/p\/book-ish-rewards-and-how-im-celebrating\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/embracinghome.substack.com\/p\/book-ish-rewards-and-how-im-celebrating\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">30 Book-ish Rewards &amp; How I&#8217;m Celebrating Progress<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>So, here\u2019s my list:<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>{ note: this post is not sponsered, I just enjoy sharing things I like } <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I tried to add links where I can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make sure you watch the video on my Substack or YouTube channel to hear more about each item + the why and how I use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/poppyandross.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>book counter<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/09PPJuRq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Large Pencil Case<\/strong> with 3 Compartments<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>large pencil pouch<\/strong> for notecards, stickers, and tabs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/search?q=notebook&amp;orderBy=&amp;attributes.productLineCategoryDisplayName=Stationery+%26+Gifts&amp;attributes.mfield_bnb__parentFormat=Journal&amp;page=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>book-themed journal<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/search?q=color%20book%20set\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>coloring book set<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/01Zdjl8p\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Reverse Coloring<\/strong>: 50 Watercolors + Dotted Memo Pages<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/a-book-lovers-sticker-book-workman-publishing\/1146791182\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>A Book Lover\u2019s Sticker Book<\/strong><\/a> By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/search?attributes.contributorId=2264892&amp;contributorName=Workman%20Publishing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Workman Publishing<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/search?attributes.contributorId=31904693&amp;contributorName=Christina%20Chun\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Christina Chun (Illustrator)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/01AbKWB6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Label Maker Machine<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Glue Tape<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vintage-themed sticky notes<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mrpen.com\/collections\/pens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Mr. Pen 0.5 pens<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>also <a href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/02Wgp51R\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pentel EnerGel RTX Retractable Liquid Gel Pen (0.7mm)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>conversation card sets<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/0echdz3o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SUSSED The Wacky \u2018What Would You Do?\u2019 Social Card Game<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/06nvRQoW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">400 Conversation Cards for Friends<\/a> (the summer camp favorite)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/0acHKAlc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">{THE AND} Friends Edition<\/a> &#8211; Conversation Starters to Make Friends Your Best Friends<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>blank notecards<\/strong> for letter writing and notes of encouragement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.papier.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Papier tech case<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; I plan to put my journal and current book in it as a to-go reading case.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>watercolor travel tin<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is my post on my Analog Bag that I mentioned in the video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Phg1!,w_140,h_140,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8377e5f3-8c0d-48c1-8b3a-b1479bbf20d0_1080x1077.jpeg\" alt=\"My Analog Bag\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/embracinghome.substack.com\/p\/my-analog-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">My Analog Bag<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/embracinghome.substack.com\/p\/my-analog-bag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/analog-bag-tips.pdf\">+ free PDF: Analog Bag Tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best thing I\u2019ve added to my routine this summer wasn\u2019t an app or a productivity trick. It was a small collection of book-ish things that gave me something better to reach for than my phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here is an honest truth:<\/strong> <em>if I don\u2019t decide ahead of time what to do in a spare moment, I usually ended up scrolling.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Planning for my future self has worked much better than relying on willpower. And I find when I lean into novelty and things that make me smile, I\u2019m much more motivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These little finds have added so much delight to my reading life. And it\u2019s fun to browse the back to school sales and find book-ish goodies! \ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Please share:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What reading related things have you been enjoying lately?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"%%half_magic_comments_url%%\">Leave a comment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I hope that something here sparked new ideas for supporting your reading and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or gave you gift ideas for book lovers in your life. \ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf3b<em>Have a great day! \u2014<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a class=\"image-link image2\" href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Grus!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956fe50d-198c-44c9-9a36-75720298ac43_1456x258.webp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Grus!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F956fe50d-198c-44c9-9a36-75720298ac43_1456x258.webp\" alt=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you want to support my writing, check out my online course:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>I\u2019ll walk you through the exact steps to build a Personal Curriculum<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>we will tackle roadblocks that will keep you stuck<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>things for my analog bag, bookshelf and reading life that are not books Over this summer, I\u2019ve ended up collecting a handful of delightfully book-ish things that made reading feel even more fun. None of them were necessities, of course. But I\u2019ve learned that surrounding myself with little fun things invites me to pick up&hellip; <\/p>\n<div class=\"readmore-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2026\/09\/15\/book-ish-things-i-gathered-this-summer\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read <\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stc_notifier_status":"sent","_stc_notifier_sent_time":"2026-09-15 02:40:31","_stc_notifier_request":false,"_stc_notifier_prevent":false,"_stc_subscriber_keywords":"","_stc_subscriber_search_areas":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[692,429],"tags":[62,647,271,305,557,47,712,711,695,178,18,693,694,57,30,44,696,541],"class_list":["post-6369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-intellectually-alive","category-my-reading-stack","tag-hobbies","tag-intellectually-alive","tag-intentional-living","tag-learning","tag-life-long-learning","tag-mom-life","tag-my-personal-curriculum-plan","tag-october","tag-personal-curriculum","tag-personal-growth","tag-planning","tag-planning-hobbies","tag-planning-out-personal-growth","tag-productivity","tag-productivity-for-moms","tag-self-care","tag-self-education","tag-self-management-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6369","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6369"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6369\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6371,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6369\/revisions\/6371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6369"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}