Bookstagrammer Ishmeet Kaur joins us in Khan Market to hunt down some of the city’s best book totes
Looking to expand her collection, Dr Shubi Virmani, who runs a book club and owns 49 book totes, shares, “I am always looking for more book totes. Harshul Narang, a young professional who can be spotted with a new tote bag every week, says, “After donating a few, I have 20 left now, including the canvas tote bags I got from events. When I see someone carrying a bookstore tote bag, I immediately think highly of that person because, to me, it signals someone who’s part of a wonderful community of readers and someone who believes in supporting independent bookstores.
Selina Rehman, a master’s student, says, “Anyone can buy totes online, but bookstores remind you of the place you visited and the books you discovered there. Ishmeet Kaur, a Delhi-based Bookstagrammer, says, “I have five totes in my collection, some from bookstores and others from publishers. Dr Virmani says, “A bookstore tote bag is like a love language to me. Each one is a little reminder of that experience. ” Talking about her tote bag wishlist, reader Aabiyah Zehra says, “Faqir Chand is at the top of my list. “A bookstore tote feels more like a souvenir than just a bag,” Selnia says A recent post on X sparked discussions on bookstore totes Looking for trusted parenting advice?
There was a time when young people aspired to own the latest designer handbags, complete with exquisite leather and a luxury logo displayed front and centre. Gen Z, on the other hand, is eyeing bookstore totes. Readers across the city are collecting tote bags from their favourite bookstores and publishers, treating them as souvenirs and badges of identity. Their exclusivity is now widely recognised, even if older generations still wonder how they’re any different from a trusty thela. Bookstore totes are collectibles that act as both an everyday accessory and a personal literary archive ‘Bookstore totes are collectibles in their own right’ For readers, the value of these totes lies less in their design and more in the memories they preserve, turning an everyday accessory into a personal archive of their literary journey. It feels more like a souvenir than just a bag. They’re almost souvenirs of various reading phases and memories from my life. I consider them collectibles in their own right. I am always looking for more tote bags. That’s part of my agenda during travel – visiting bookstores and buying book totes, Dr Shubi Virmani, bookstagrammer While bookstore totes hold a special place for readers, the idea of collecting totes as souvenirs resonates far beyond book lovers (Inset: Shakespeare and co. tote bag) ‘Book totes are my love language’ Ishmeet shares what her tote bags mean to her. “As a reader, it’s a badge of identity. It’s not just a bag; it’s a portable identity. It feels like carrying stories from different parts of the world wherever you go. And someone always ends up asking, ‘What’s the story behind this one? What’s inside is just as magical – new books, bookmarks, and even receipts from bookstores where I bought them. They already have the iconic watercolour painting on their bookmarks, but what a lot of people may not know is that there is a tote version too. ‘Discovering new books and stumbling upon BookTok-famous stores is a reader’s ultimate joy’ While bookstore totes hold a special place for readers, the idea of collecting totes as souvenirs resonates far beyond book lovers. The rise also reflects a broader shift in how young people view everyday accessories, as mementos rather than just utility items. I’ve also bought most of them from designer shops or independent stores. I think of my tote bags as souvenirs, and each of them is from a different part of my life. There’s a story connected to all of them. Aabiyah Zehra, an avid reader, shares, “Discovering new books and stumbling upon BookTok-famous stores is a reader’s ultimate joy. And what’s better than a souvenir from the place? Since one of my biggest exposure points to pop culture is reading, I love having quotes from books I love on my merchandise. Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day.
