Suspend Your Disbelief

Shop Talk |

Bookish Gift Idea #31: Bartleby tote bag


Image: Melville House Books

Image: Melville House Books

This bag functions like a secret handshake for readers. Those in the know will understand the words emblazoned on the front: “I would prefer not to.” Those who don’t? Well, they’ll just think you have a cool bag.

Available from Melville House Books, these totes boast “enough depth to hold a six-pack” and help support indie publisher Melville House. What more do you need to know?

(Okay, maybe this: the bag is also available as part of an “Occupy Wall Street” bundle with a copy of Bartleby, the Scrivener and David Graeber’s Debt. Says Melville House: “This chic tote sports the infamous words of Wall Street’s first rebel, Bartleby the Scrivener, who proclaimed once and for all that, “I would prefer not to” be a part of your materialistic society. The bag is great for stowing a Guy Fawkes mask or a few cans of spray paint (for making signs of course) while doubling as an instant declaration of your intentions.”)

This concludes our Bookish Gift Guide for 2011. Happy new year from everyone at Fiction Writers Review, and as always, we’ve got lots of great content coming up in 2012.


Literary Partners