Readers' Niche is a unique online Australian store, selling everything relating to literature — apart from books. David Donovan reports.
As a strong supporter of Australian literature, Independent Australia would like to let you know about an online store: Readers' Niche. In a novel (ha!) twist, Readers' Niche is Australian's only online literary gift store that features everything that relates to books — but not the books themselves!
The bouncing baby of proud parent Miranda Young, this online literary merchandise store started quietly about three years ago. Recently, Miranda – an avid reader and book collector – has given it a complete revamp to drag it into the modern age. ("Modern age"? How unliterary sounding!)
Miranda Young comes from a music and film journalist background with an Honours degree in Arts from Melbourne University, which she says sparked her love of English and Russian literature.
"Rock stars have so much merchandise – from tee shirts to jewellery and even kindle covers – I thought it was about time all our favourite Authors received the same treatment,” she said.
“Also anything that will get the focus back onto books and bookstores is something worth being passionate about."
“Readers' Niche is all about books but not selling books. We want bookstores to survive. As so well quoted in The Castle — it’s is a vibe thing!”
If you are a bookworm looking for a trinket or gift that's catchy, quirky and related to the written word, this could be the place for you. You’ll find Jane Austen jigsaw puzzles, Charles Dickens posters or charm bracelets, novel quote tea bags, Oscar Wilde bookmarks and paperweights, Mills and Boon wedding confetti and even a Dostoevsky limited edition tee shirt. And that's not the half of it.
“Books are so important,” said site creator Miranda Young, “and now you can embrace your favourite author is so many exciting ways”.
“Throw in a Speakers Corner debate page and an open online bookclub and Readers' Niche is a festival of good book-related stuff."
Who would have thought there was so much merchandise surrounding the written word? I didn’t, but I like it.
