For the Love of Books

There are very few good bookstores still around. They’ve seemed to whither away over the years because of the overwhelming increase in e-books and online availability. I, like many other people I know, can still enjoy the real thing. I actually prefer reading a book with actual pages. It makes reading more of an experience rather that an intake of information. And of course there’s the smell, whether old or new, that can always bring a smile to my face.

I would say I look like your typical bookworm. I have glasses, the tell tale sign, and short auburn hair that hides my face when I have my nose in a good book. This is why, on every occasion, my mom and I exchange books. They may be books that I have already read and I want to share with her, or they could be books I have never read before that would suit her taste.

I have recently started giving her books with a Penless Bookmark   wedged in the front cover. She loves being able to see videos of me when she scans the QR codes. I usually take videos of myself raving about the books I give her so she can get an idea of what kind of book it is before she reads it. Last week I gave her one about a deep romance with a sprinkle of tragedy mixed in. I loved it so much I couldn’t stop talking about it. She immediately started reading it because she said she could see the impression the story left on me. Sometimes I use the bookmarks as an opportunity to update her on what’s happening in my life.

I like to give small books to my nieces as well, usually for their birthdays. When I was younger, my aunts would give me books on special occasions and they would write little messages for me inside the front covers. I’ve decided to reinvent this cherished memory to better accommodate my young nieces who are more familiar with technology. For my younger niece’s upcoming birthday, I am going to gift her a book called The Cinder-Eyed Cats that I used to love as a child. It has the most beautiful artwork with hardly any words. My niece is only four years old, but already has an immense appreciation for art. In place of writing in the cover, I want to try putting a Penless Sticker with a hidden birthday message. I really think she will really enjoy it and it’ll put more excitement into receiving the book.

Whether for a special occasion or just because, I feel that Penless makes it easy to put a twist on traditional gift giving. My mom is a huge fan of the bookmarks and they have added personality to our book exchanging and I am sure that my niece will be ecstatic to receive my little birthday video inside her book. It is great to have a tool like Penless at my side when I want to be a little more creative with my gift giving.