Alex Luppens-Dale won the “Enthusiastic Reader Award” all four years of high school. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and received her MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. Her favorite genres are memoir, witches, and anything with cults. She lives in New Jersey. You can keep up with Alex's latest work at her website.
I love it when a new type of personalization is unlocked for me. I like to decorate my journals, I like a monogram, and I like to decorate my bags with bag charms and keychains. Like many people, I first became aware of bag charms through plush pendants like the elusive Labubu. Sometimes you just need a mischievous little guy to keep you company on your commute. Do not ask me how many little guys have entered my home at this point. You won’t like the answer. I don’t like the answer. Still, anything that brings you joy in these times is worth celebrating, even if that thing may seem a little bit silly to other people.
If you have also been consumed by the PopMart universe (don’t say I didn’t warn you), may I point out that there are bookish blind boxes to be had there, like this Hirono series and this Dimoo series, which is based on Jurassic World. They go in and out of stock regularly but you may just get lucky.
If you want to share your love of books on your bag or backpack as we enter another school year, here’s a selection of the best ones I’ve found, from the more subtle ones to keychains that will proclaim your love of books/book boyfriends/romance tropes to the world.
You can spotlight three of your favorite titles on this cute keychain, which is available in either gold or silver tones. $23
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I cannot get over those adorable mini Emily Henry books! This purse chain is also customizable and can include up to seven books. $29+
Perhaps you’re looking for something a bit more subtle. The locket on this charm really opens! $13
If you’ve ever consulted the tarot to decide what to read next, these keychains are for you.
Why is everything so much cuter in miniature size? These mini VHS tapes are adorable and I declare them bookish because they include several Goosebumps classics. $6
This keychain is also an AirTag holder! I love an accessory with a job. $18
Show off your favorite book and your favorite quote with this custom keychain. $5
I cannot get over how much this mini book really looks like a book. You can pick whichever book you’d like to magically shrink down and keep with you forever. $28
I know that there is discourse around the true message of The Rainbow Fish, but seeing him still turns me into that four-year-old who just loved his sparkly scales. This nostalgic bag charm is for all of the millennials out there. $18
Finally, a miniature book charm that you can customize to include a message and an even smaller “book!” $35
With that, I leave you to figure out exactly how much structural integrity your favorite handbag or backpack really has.
For more bookish accessories, check out the rest of our bookish merch roundups in The Goods.
English (US) · 