Bookworm Buys: Carrot Top Paper Shop

Friends, I am so excited for today's post. First, I have to tell you that although I sometimes resent the internet for taking time away from real life, it occasionally redeems itself by bringing bookworms together and that makes my heart happy.

Today I want to introduce you to a kindred spirit, Jenny Williams of the 

Carrot Top Paper Shop.

Anne of Green Gables Quote Print c/o

I first stumbled upon Jenny's adorable illustrations on Instagram, and instantly fell in love with every last product in her shop. I knew then that I just had to share Jenny's shop -- and the brilliant heart behind her products -- with you all.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jenny for the blog, and we got to chat about how she became a bookworm, literary heroines, and kindred spirits.

Jenny, tell us about your life as a reader. When did you become a bookworm?

I've been a bookworm for as long as I can remember! I had a "lights out" time growing up, but every morning, I would come downstairs and "confess" to my mom that I had stayed up way too late reading, because there just wasn't a good place to stop. (She eventually told me to stop confessing, and just keep reading.) I read American Girl History Mysteries, the Dear America Diary series, the Little House on the Prairie series, and everything I could get my hands on by L.M. Montgomery.

Tell us about the origins of the Carrot Top Paper Shop. When and how did you get started?

Every since I was a child, I knew I wanted to do something creative when I grew up. But I never knew exactly what! Some days I wanted to be a ballerina, other days a greeting card illustrator, or a journalist, magazine editor, etc. After I graduated college, I moved to Washington, D.C. to work on Capitol Hill. I thought maybe I wanted to be a political speech writer. Needless to say, most of my life I've felt pretty all-over-the-map, career-wise. All of that changed after I had a baby, and was looking for literary nursery décor for her room. I had a very specific idea of what I wanted for her, but couldn't find it. So I decided to make my own, and that's when I created my very first literary heroine banner. I didn't create it with the idea of starting my own business too, but as we all know now, that's what happened! I tell people now that Carrot Top Paper Shop is the dream job I never knew I could have -- it combines everything I love into one perfect package: literature, creative a community around a shared loved of books, writing, art, and of course, Anne of Green Gables.

What has been the most popular product in your shop?

My Literary Heroine Banners and my Literary Bookmark Sets.

Literary Heroine Banners

Literary Bookmark Set

For many readers, these books contain not just characters but also close friends. Have you had any customers who have reached out with their own stories about the influence these books have had on them?

Absolutely! That is one of the best parts of my job. Before I started Carrot Top, I honestly thought only a few people in the world loved L.M. Montgomery's work as much as I did. I know now that was incredibly naïve! I get emails from people all the time telling me how much L.M. Montgomery has made an impact on their lives, or how her books got them through a difficult time. She feels like a dear friend, and everyone who loves her feels instantly connected. It's truly heartwarming!

You're a mom as well as a reader and shop owner. How did your reading life change when you had your daughter?

Great question! Sometimes I feel like I have no time to read. And when I am about to launch a new product line, I really don't. But I've learned that if I make it a priority, it happens. I cannot imagine my life without reading, but the biggest change now is that I don't put pressure on myself to read a certain number of books a year, or a month, or whatever. Sometimes I read a book a week, sometimes a book a month. As long as I am reading, I'm doing good.

I love your attitude towards reading. Why is it important that we read books with heroines to our children?

Growing up, stories about men inspired me too, but the ones that touched me most personally were the stories about girls and women. There's just something about being a little bit like someone else that makes you feel like it is achievable to be them. 

Both girls and boys today are exposed to a lot of bad messages about where their worth lies. True heroines reinforce to our daughters that their worth is not in outward appearances, or popularity, or any other superficial expectation. And I think deep down inside, we are all greatly relieved by that. We all want permission to be comfortable in our own skin, but also to aspire to something more. Fiction, good fiction, has the ability to represent a truer version of the world than the one we know. As G.K. Chesterton said, "Fairy tales are more than true -- not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten."

If you had to pick just one, who would be your favorite literary heroine? How does she inspire you?

That's easy! Anne Shirley, 100%. Anne is smart, hopeful, brave, and kind. She is secure in who she is, but vulnerable at the same time. Most importantly, she gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. Everyone, no matter how crabby, is a potential kindred spirit. I love that about her! She may have a quick temper, but she is also just as quick to forgive. She gives everyone a chance because no one is without hope, just as life is never without hope.

***

Some things that Jenny and I agree on wholeheartedly: children need literary heroines in their lives, L.M. Montgomery is a dear friend to each of her readers, and the world is a better place when we remind ourselves to act like Anne Shirley.

Anne of Green Gables To-Do List Notepad c/o

Thank you, Jenny, for sharing your love of reading and of literary heroines with us!

Jenny has been incredibly generous in offering Top Shelf Text readers an exclusive coupon to her shop.

Use code TOPSHELFTEXT for 25% off the Carrot Top Paper Shop.
Coupon valid through Friday, July 14th. 

I am a particular fan of both the quote prints and the to-do list notepad, which has brought a certain cheeriness to getting everyday tasks checked off. Next on my wish list are the Literary Heroine bookmark sets (shown above), which make a great gift for bookish friends!

Happy reading, and happy shopping too!

A Very Bookish Vacation {with Summer Reading Recommendations!}

Happy Fourth of July, friends!

This holiday represents my favorite time of year. If you follow me on Instagram, then you may have seen my strict adherence to a red-white-and-blue dress code, my enthusiasm for our little town's annual festivities, and my joy at having a friend visit for it all.

The best part about all of it? That I'll still have plenty of days left to sit at the beach with a book in hand once the holiday is over. Teaching has its perks, one of them being summer vacation. In reality, most teachers do work over the summers, but due to a number of circumstances (changing districts, moving, etc.) I decided to take this summer off and embrace it as a season of both relaxation and transition. (And if we're being totally honest, I just wanted more time to read.)

Though fall is my favorite season, I am a wholehearted supporter of summer, especially when it means spending the day at the beach with a book in hand. Last week my mother and I took a quick trip out to the Hamptons to visit my little brother, and it was the perfect way for me to kick off the start of summer.

I finished up my school year on Thursday, said goodbye to my team (tears were shed), and we packed up the car on Sunday morning. After an overnight in the cute seaside town of Mystic, Connecticut, we hopped on a ferry to New York and drove down to see my brother in Southampton. 

Mystic, Connecticut

Of course, while we were in Mystic, I had to stop in the local bookstore. It's an incredibly well-stocked shop on the corner of the main shopping street. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend stopping to browse the shop! It's called Bank Square Books and you can find their online shop here.

While there, I purchased this new novel and I absolutely cannot wait to read it. I don't know how I hadn't head of it already, but it is right up my alley.

(This is my brother. He's the best.)

Some background info here: my brother is in a PGA program, which means that instead of spending his college years on campus, he spends most of his time out on internships -- at some of the most beautiful (and prestigious) golf courses in the country. You can read about our visit to see him in Georgia last year for my spring break here. His current internship has him working in Southampton for the entire summer, and it's safe to say that I'm just a teensy bit envious.

I brought along a few books of my own to read while on vacation, three of which I managed to finish while lounging on the beach in Southampton. (P.S. You'll see a review for each of those here on the blog next week!) I spent the majority of my vacation parked right in front of the water, with my toes in the sand and a book in my hand. Some people might think it's a little silly, to go on a vacation and do the exact same thing that I like to do at home, but after a rather rough ending to our school year, I can tell you that those days on the beach are exactly what my body and soul needed to feel refreshed.

The ocean cures all, in my experience.

When we arrived at the hotel, we had an unexpected (and pleasant) surprise. Apparently, The Southampton Inn is a place run by bookworms. Many of you saw my elation on my Instagram stories, but I swear I've never been more giddy than I was upon finding out that the various books in the lobby were for guests to keep -- for free. 

Raise your hand if you can think of anything better than a free book.

(I can't.)

I plucked a few (brand-new titles, I should mention) from the shelves and stuck them in my beach bag, but my affection for the hotel owners only grew when we went to check out and I was given a goodie-bag full of summer reads.

I mean, let's just call this what it is -- Christmas morning.

All in all, I came home with quite a few more books than I arrived with, and I am so excited to have these new titles on my shelves. I've linked a few of the ones that I can't wait to read for you below, in case you're looking to add to your own summer reading stack.

The Necklace by Claire McMillan

This one is at the top of my list to pick up once I've crossed off a few more titles from my own summer reading list. It features a mysterious family heirloom, and you don't need much more than that to catch my interest.

Hello Sunshine by Laura Dave

This is one title you'll see on Anne Bogel's Summer Reading Guide and one that looks like a quick and light read that might actually prompt some unexpectedly deep thinking.

The House at the Edge of Night by Catherine Banner

I couldn't resist taking this home with me after seeing that cover. It's a multigenerational novel about a family living on a Mediterranean island off the coast of Italy. 

Mr. Rochester by Sarah Shoemaker

Also on Anne Bogel's summer reading guide. For fans of Jane Eyre.

The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett

I'm pretty sure I first heard this title on an episode of What Should I Read Next, but the concept of it reminds me of this novel that I read and loved a few summers ago.

The Wangs vs. the World by Jade Chang

A family's deteriorating wealth forces them to take a cross-country road trip. I love this cover.

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And if that's not enough, there was also a resident hotel cat, so you could say my cat-lady, book-loving heart was full during this stay. Kindred spirits can be found in the most unexpected of places.

P.S. This post was not, in any way, sponsored. I had no idea that the hotel would cater to my bookish spirit, nor do the owners know that this little corner of the internet belongs to one of their recent guests. If you're looking to stay in the area, send me an e-mail! I'd love to share more about our full experience there.