Last summer, as the Covid numbers volume knob dialed up a notch, I thought it might be a good idea to start tracking the appearance--or reappearance--of face masks in bookstore social media posts for a future "Face Masks Redux" column. That's the way a columnist's mind (or at least this columnist's mind) works.
But here's the thing. When you do anything as long as I've been writing this column, you're instinctively prepared for online rabbit holes that turn out to be where you were headed all along. I wasn't seeing a lot of face mask posts, but the quest gradually revealed a lot of bookstore mug pics, and thus a "Mug Shots" column was born.
My first mug shot sighting came on July 15, when I noticed posts by Itinerant Literate Books, North Charleston, S.C., and Duck's Cottage Coffee & Books, Duck, N.C. ("The best part of waking up is finding a little bit of the #outerbanks in your cup!" On Wednesday, Duck's Cottage closed this particular circle with: "Our #coffee tastes good in any mug... including this one from sister store #downtownbooks!"
The Next Chapter Bookstore, Hermiston, Ore., was another example. In July, the shop posted: "We are in LOVE with these new hand thrown stoneware mugs. Rep your favorite bookstore every morning while you drink your coffee." More recently, the shop anticipated Thanksgiving weekend with: "Small Business Saturday Spotlight: Teas, Sipping Chocolates, and Mugs.... We have a vast array of mugs, teas, and sipping chocolate."
Of course, the holiday season and increasingly cold weather have ramped up the cozy mug shot momentum for most booksellers, including:
Reads & Company, Phoenixville, Pa.: "The last few weeks have given us a plethora of celebrity memoirs to dive into. This mug-shot includes just a handful of these new releases."
Storyville Books, Pontypridd, U.K.: "It's wet and windy out there today. What better way to stay warm and cosy than with a good book and a cuppa in our new #StoryvilleBooks mugs?"
Plenty Bookshop, Cookeville, Tenn.: "I spy with my little eye something for my tea. And it's awesome. Introducing PLENTY mugs, handmade by local ceramic artist @mavoureenstudios (who is amazing--we are so excited that we got to work with her!) Perfect for cozy fall mornings with a good book! We love them."
Scuppernong Books, Greeensboro, N.C.: "Stop by and buy a mug. Only $10. And it's a cool mug!"
Lake City Books, Madison, Wis.: "Cold weather got ya down? It's clinically proven* that buying a new mug will cure the October chills! *(ok not really but this FEELS true)."
Neighborly Books, Maryville, Tenn.: "We have limited quantities of these limited edition mummy mugs from Maryville potter Em.Burge Pottery. Imagine how good your pumpkin-spice latte would taste in one of these beauties!"
Morgenstern Books, Bloomington, Ind.: "What's cuter than our supervisor Mack? Not much. But these adorable glass cups and mugs sure do come close! And should we mention what a perfect gift these are for those early holiday shoppers (wink wink)."
The Novel Neighbor, St. Louis, Mo.: "The weather is getting colder, which means our tea is getting hotter. We love this tea advent calendar from @bighearttea and we have a great selection of mugs to hold it!"
Femme Fire Books, Jacksonville, Fla: "We have Femme Fire Books mugs!!! These mugs are insulated to keep that coffee/tea/cocoa/toddy warm, and with our gorgeous logo on it, you can now tell everyone that you shop at Femme Fire Books without telling everyone you shop at Femme Fire Books!"
2 Dandelions Bookshop, Brighton, Mich.: "We are thrilled to be launching our branded, handmade mugs and ornaments today! The mugs even come in 2 sizes!"
The Literary Book Bar, Champaign, Ill.: "Swag alert! Stay steamy in the snow with our cozy, fleecy, sweatshirt and *NEW* mugs! It's seriously so gorgeous in here when it snows and so are you in that sweet Lit swag ;)."
Deadtime Stories: True Crime and Other Books, Lansing, Mich.: "LOOK HOW CUTE these mugs from K&S Designs are! Quantities are VERY limited, so start your book hunting quest early!"
Anderson's Bookshop, Naperville & Downers Grove., Ill.: "Our annual Gift Card/Mug promo is back! Stop in today to grab a gift card and get a great deal on our 2024 Holiday Mug."
Dragontale Books, Menomonie, Wis.: "Day 6 of Happy December Days is a mug and copy of Candide by Voltaire."
Paper Places Bookshop, Jasper, Ala.: "Come get in the Christmas feels with a cute Christmas read and a cozy Christmas mug."
The Bakers Bookshoppe, Mount Joy, Pa.: "Jólabókaflóð is upon us!... We have updated our Christmas displays to help you engage in the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð. Read all about it on our website. Enjoy giving the gift of books this year and add to your book gift cozy items such as hot cocoa bombs, coffee mugs, handmade marshmallows, and more."
Mug shots. Even Dictionary.com is on board: "It's time to elevate your gift-giving game, one definition at a time! Gift the joy of linguistic expression to your loved ones with a Dictionary.com mug."