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Book bags and book-shaped bags

Carry your love of books with you in the special book bags by Well Read Company. Since 2019, this British brand has been making bags inspired by classic literature, complete with a spine, a cover and gold-coloured corner protectors.

Choose a small book bag, a book-shaped handbag or a cotton tote bag. The handbag comes in two sizes and has a detachable shoulder strap. Discover the collection online or drop by Tea & Tales in Rotterdam.

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What is a book-shaped handbag?

The book bags from Well Read Company look like real books, complete with a printed book title, an embossed or foil-printed cover and gold-coloured metal corner protectors. A classic novel on the outside, a practical bag with handy compartments on the inside.

The book bags and handbags are made of vegan leather, with no animal leather. Depending on the model, the bag closes with a hidden magnet or a zip. Prefer a shopper? The cotton tote bags combine a practical design with a love of books.

Which size suits you?

Book-shaped pouch bag

The book pouch is a compact little bag in the shape of a classic book, available in two sizes: approx. 20 × 13 cm and 14 × 9.5 cm. The zip along the long side keeps your phone, cards and lipstick safely together. Ideal as a small book bag or an original gift for book lovers.

Small book-shaped handbag

This book-shaped handbag measures approx. 21 × 15 × 4 cm and combines a literary look with everyday practicality. The bag has a hidden magnetic closure, a roomy main compartment, an extra inner pocket and an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap. Wear it as a crossbody bag, shoulder bag or clutch.

Large book-shaped handbag

The large book-shaped handbag of approx. 25 × 19 × 5 cm offers extra space and has the same practical layout as the smaller model. It even fits a small book. A special handbag for book lovers looking for a striking accessory that's also handy every day.

Cotton tote bag with literary print

The tote bag from Well Read Company is a cotton shopper with a literary print, without the shape of a real book. Thanks to its roomy design, it's perfect for books, groceries and other everyday things. A practical book bag for anyone who loves a literary style.

About Well Read Company

Well Read Company is a British brand that has been making special book bags, handbags, purses and tote bags inspired by classic literature since 2019. The designs are based on traditional bookbinding techniques and bring stories by authors such as Jane Austen and George Orwell to life.

These unique bags aren't available in many places in the Netherlands. At Tea & Tales in Rotterdam you can see and hold the book bags and book-shaped handbags yourself. That way you'll know straight away which size and model suits you best.

Things to consider when choosing

Three things you can't see in a photo.

The shape is fixed. The cover is sturdy, so the bag keeps its shape. That looks lovely, but it also means it holds no more than its size allows.

Vegan leather isn't leather. It's lighter and you clean it with a damp cloth. It doesn't belong in the washing machine.

The tote bag isn't book-shaped. It's a cotton shopper with a print. If you want the book shape, choose the book pouch or the handbag.

A gift for someone who has already read everything

Finding an original gift for a book lover can be tricky. They may already have the book, but a book-shaped handbag is something else entirely. These special book bags from Well Read Company are inspired by well-known literary classics and make a unique gift for every book fan.

Choose from designs inspired by Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Alice in Wonderland, 1984, The Secret Garden and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. There are also two imaginative designs: A History of Magic and Encyclopedia of Potion Making.

Curious which book bags and book-shaped handbags are currently available? Browse the collection above or visit Tea & Tales in Rotterdam.

See them in our Rotterdam shop

Drop by at Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 142A in Rotterdam and pick them up for a moment. You'll feel straight away how sturdy the cover is. And you'll see whether the size fits what you carry every day.

We're happy to gift-wrap your bag: tick the box in your cart, or ask in the shop. Looking for a book to go with it? The shelf with English classics is close by, so you can give the novel and the bag together. There's also a place to sit with a pot of tea, so take your time choosing.

Frequently asked questions about book-shaped bags

Where in the Netherlands can I buy a bag that looks like a book?

With us, in the shop at Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 142A in Rotterdam and online through this webshop. The Well Read Company brand is barely sold anywhere else in the Netherlands.

Is a book-shaped handbag made of real leather?

No. The book bags and the handbags are made of vegan leather, also known as faux leather or imitation leather. That keeps the bag light, and you clean it with a damp cloth. The tote bag is made of cotton.

What fits in a book-shaped bag?

In the small handbag, 21 by 15 by 4 cm, your phone, wallet and keys fit. A small make-up bag fits in too. In the large one, 25 by 19 by 5 cm, a paperback also fits. The book pouch is meant for your phone and your cards.

Can I wear the bag as a shoulder bag?

Yes. The handbags have a detachable, adjustable shoulder strap. You wear them crossbody, over one shoulder, or you take off the strap and use the bag as a clutch.

Are these bags suitable as a gift?

It's one of our most-given gifts, precisely because it isn't a book. Tick the box in your cart to say it's a gift and we'll wrap it for you. Coming to the shop for it? Then you can lay the designs side by side and choose.

What is the difference between a book pouch and a book-shaped handbag?

The book pouch is smaller, has a zip along the long side and no shoulder strap. The book-shaped handbag has a magnetic closure, an inner pocket and a detachable strap. It's built like a real bag with a book cover around it.

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