THE INTRO
After twenty years in public education, I’ve started this new adventure to bring the joy of books, reading, and curiosity into homes and public spaces. So far I’ve learned a lot, mostly about how much I do not know, but the one theme that keeps surfacing is authenticity, and why authentic experiences and things are more important now more than ever. I think that’s also the driving “why” behind Wonderwood Books & Library Services. The books we choose to to keep and share by displaying our our shelves or even in stacks and piles throughout our home, reflect so much about who we are, what we love, and the stories we hold close. They add an intangible warmth and credibly to home and showcase life experiences, interests, and values, which in turn invite conversation and curiosity from guests and family. A well-curated library collection can make a space feel truly personal and beautiful. To read more about this idea, read the New York Time’s article, “How a Home Library Can Tell Your Story,” linked below.
If you are wondering, “so what exactly are library services?”, check out this Instagram post about the intersection of storytelling, design, and curation.
Hello!
Welcome to The Sunday Stack, the newsletter you didn’t know you needed about books, design, and adventure beyond the pages. Every Sunday, I’ll send you a short and sweet newsletter about what I’m reading, inspired by design-wise, and the travel and outdoor adventures on my list. Always authentic, no AI, just my thoughts about books, library design, and travel.
~ Annie
THE STACK
What’s stacking up on my shelf right now.
Current Stack
Martyr by Kaveh Akbar: Currently reading, about half way through and not totally sure about it yet.
Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa: This was on my list for a trip this summer that I didn’t get too, so have finally started it.
Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind by Molly McGhee: I tried reading it this summer but it was quite the right time.
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang: I loved Babel, so excited to start this one soon!
THE INTERVIEW
The stories behind the shelves, delivered the first Sunday of every month.
THE FAVORITES
Library design and collection favorites for the week.
New York Times Article - A Home Library Can Tell Your Life Story: Shortly after deciding to jump into this adventure full-time, I came accross this article in The New York Times which not only perfectly captured the value of authentic collections, but also confirmed that this line of work can be a real thing!
Gansevoort Meatpacking Lobby - After telling her about my new business idea, a friend sent me this photo from her recent trip to New York of the Hotel Gansevoort Meatpacking highlighting how they use books in their space. I love getting these texts from friends about the bookshelves they encounter on their travels now!
The Hotel Gansevoort Lobby, New York City.
THE LIST
Current favorites.
Holiday Wish List: Atoloea Advent Calendar - This not only on my list because of Atoloea’s beautiful and waterproof jewelry, but it’s also on sale right now. I spend a lot of time in oceans, lakes, and I’ll even count snow, and I love gold jewelry, so this is one of my favorite companies.
Traveler’s Surf Club: We were recently in Santa Cruz, so we stopped but the Traveler’s Surf Club to check out their amazing surf shop and set-up. Katie was incredibly nice and helpful, so this is definitely the place to go if you need board rentals or surf supplies in Santa Cruz. I am heading to LA this week and excited to check out their new Malibu shop as well!
Corduroy Hats and Embroidered Sweatshirts: For some reason I’ve always had this dream of having my own branded corduroy hat and embroidered sweatshirt, and now that dream has finally come true! Excited to announce that Wonderwood Books now has some branded merch to share with you all, check out the options at our online store, The Book Shed.
THE END
