Some people like going to the mall, theme parks, or maybe for a drive around town, but personally I like curling up in in front of the fire with a really good book. Or sometimes an audiobook. Reading has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Before I could read I was read to. Weekly trips to the library have helped me to experience so many different stories and points of view, from Rudyard Kipling’s adventures in The Jungle Book to stories of an entirely different nature, such Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment.

I am inspired primarily by books, literature, and authors. A lifetime of stories has helped me understand and comprehend these works of literature to represent them properly as graphics, typography, and color. I also draw a large amount of inspiration from art history. I am particularly drawn to impressionist works, Claude Monet and Edgar Degas are a couple of artist whose inspiration I draw heavily upon.

The dichotomy between visual and written art is something I have always been interested in. The collection of books t-shirts, are sometimes book covers, but often simply visual representations of the novels. Putting together the collection has helped me to comprehend this difference in representational and artistic mediums.

I started with just a few designs and little knowledge of printing, websites, or high level graphics programs. After much trial and error there is now the store you see today. I design each product with care and curate the selection to showcase popular as well as more obscure titles and authors.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading some of reasons why I started this company and what inspired me to do so. If you have any questions please feel free to send me an email at any time. I love hearing from other readers and fans of literature.

For those interested, the code ALEXMCGILVERY20 can be redeemed to discount 20% off on any order. This coupon code does not expire and there is no minimum spend.

Written by Melissa Chan, designer of bookish gifts at Literary Book Gifts