* We only include products that we truly like, and they often (though not exclusively) come from fellow small businesses — occasionally, the links we share may earn us a small commission.
Have you told Goodreads how many books you want to read this year? Do you prefer to track your reading list in a book journal? Or do you, like some people around these parts, use your own personally-built spreadsheet for documenting your reading data? (Ahem, Joe.) Regardless of where you fall, these products will help you make good on your reading goals this year.
S-GEL ULTRA FINE POINT (.38MM) PEN
from Sharpie ($18 for 12)
The heart wants what the heart wants, and Joe's heart wants this pen, which is the perfect amount of inky and writes like butter across the page. And yes, the 12-pack is totally worth it.
BABY GOT STACKS BOOKMARK PAD
from Amy Zhang ($12)
Hoping to dig into Hanif Abdurraqib’s Go Ahead in the Rain, Dan Charnas’s Dilla Time, or Shea Serrano’s The Rap Year Book? Take diligent notes on one of ten bookmark sheets that come with this hip hop-inspired pad.
NO SHELF CONTROL BOOKMARK PAD
from Amy Zhang ($12)
Do you have entire bookcases full of unread books? Does that not stop you from taking out six-to-ten books at a time from the library, including Yiyun Li’s newest book of stories, Wednesday’s Child? Does that also not stop you from buying five (or twenty) books from any given bookstore you pop into, including 2023 Nobel winner Jon Fosse’s 667-page, one-sentence book, Septology? Do you find any reason to go into a bookstore, like, say, to see if they had Sofia Samatar and Kate Zambreno’s Tone? If so, then this pad is for you. (It's Joe. This bookmark pad is for Joe. And maybe for you, too!)
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THIS BOOK IS BANANAS BOOKMARK
from Pineapple Sundays ($18)
A cute brass bookmark with a cute ass pun? Sign us up! There are lots of options to choose from, but count on Amy to pick the food-themed pun every single time.
THIS CHAPTER FEELS REALLY GOOD JOURNAL
from Ruff House Print Shop ($19)
Joe picked one of these up from The Bookery in Manchester, NH while we were on a work date (because he forgot his other notebooks at home) and he loves the feel of the paper and the sturdiness of the covers. It's the perfect medium-sized notebook to transfer all of your ideas from one of our bookmark pads, especially if this is the year for big ideas.
SAMUEL BECKETT ART PRINT
from Society6 (prices vary)
What's better than a little reading nook? One that's personalized with book-themed or lit-inspired art. Joe prefers having Samuel Beckett stare at him while he reads, but there are so many to choose from — including some by Amy! (Fun fact: for a short time while they both lived in the French countryside, Samuel Beckett would drive famed wrestler and then-teenager, André the Giant, to school.)
AUDIOBOOK + EBOOK APP
from Libby (Free!)
Sometimes, there just isn't time to sit down and read a physical book — and we're definitely team "Audiobooks are real books." Libby links to your library card, giving you quick and easy (and free!) access to so many titles. Amy likes to cue up a book when she's working on illustrations, during her workouts, and while doing the dishes.
