I suspect all writers have various items that are endowed with a literary theme. And since so many of us drink copious amounts of coffee or tea, some of those things are probably mugs. Today I want to share with you my six literary-themed mugs and why they are special to me. Although technically, two of them are my husband’s!
Jane Austen
I love this mug for its size (wider than normal) and its theme (I do love Jane Austen), but most of all, this mug is of great sentimental value. My kids got it for me one Christmas while I was in the midst of my first publishing contract. Whether they meant it this way or not, to me it said, “We see you, you are a writer.”
44 Scotland Street
We are huge fans of Alexander McCall Smith’s books. However, he is so prolific that I can’t keep up with all the series if I want to read other things! So I have not read his 44 Scotland Street series, but Jeff has—and he loves it. So when we went to Scotland a few years ago, he had to find a mug! Guess where we found it? The Writers’ Museum in Edinburgh. Don’t you have to love a city that has a writers’ museum?
Introverts
One of my dear friends gave this to me, and of course, it makes me laugh every time I see it, because it is so true! I mean, who else, when they sit out a game of pickleball because there are 5 players, pulls out their phone and picks up where they left off in their book the night before, instead of engaging with those still playing? Yep, introverts!
Book Collection
Another friend gifted me this mug of classic book spines. All such good ones that they make me smile. 🙂
Lord of the Rings
I got this mug from A Fine Quotation (I love their literary-themed products!) for my husband. He works hard defending religious liberty day in and day out. So I thought this quote was appropriate from me (Samwise) to him (Frodo, carrying the ring): “There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for.”
Write Your Own Story
Yet another friend reminded me that while reading is great, I also need to write my own story. Not as in “the story of my life.” That’s God’s job. But my story as in the one He’s given me to share with readers. So often it feels much more comfortable to enjoy the fruits of other writers’ labor than to labor on my own, even if it is what the Lord has asked me to do!
Of course, I own many other literary-themed items: t-shirts, sweatshirts, magnets, stickers, puzzles, socks—and even a vase! Maybe one of these days we’ll talk about some of those other things!
Do you own any literary-themed mugs? If not, what is your favorite mug and why?
My husband just got me a mug with books on it and it says: Yes, I really do need all these books!
😂 I need that one too!
Love these! I don’t have any literary mugs, but I have a shirt with Edgar Allen Poe holding and umbrella that says “when it rains it Poes” and a book bag with an homage to Sir Mixalot that says “I like big books and I cannot lie.”
Those are great! I love literary shirts and bags, too!
I am surprised I only have 1 bookish mug (spines of classics). I love that it is large and holds more coffee. My favorite is from my distant past. My first year teaching, I taught in a small rural school as the only English teacher. I had 6 preps (Sr, Jr, Soph, Fresh, Creative Writing, and Drama), struggled with classroom discipline, and held too high standards. Needless to say, I was drowning. My mother sent me a mug that says, “Some days this job really gets to me… like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday” – still a favorite!
I can see why you still love that mug! I’m glad you can laugh about it now. 🙂