The Ultimate Holiday Reading Reset: Protect Your Time & Win a Jo van Gogh Inspired Giveaway

Book Lovers Unite!

This post is a love story.

A love story that began several years ago, when I started my search to share Jo van Gogh’s true story—the woman who saved Vincent’s art from obscurity. It’s also a love story because after doing a bit of market research I discovered a crazy insight about the people who read Saving Vincent—you devour books because being a book lover is who you are.

An identity.

I just love that. It reminds me of pre-Booktok days when people started book blogs because they loved sharing the stories they’d found! It was the lighter fluid igniting the firestorm growth of book clubs (OK, wine too).

And it’s not easy to be a book lover. Life demands work hard to squeeze out reading time and yet. . .

And yet. . .

You read on.

You taught me the most profound lesson: Reading is a gift you give yourself. It’s a beautiful, defiant choice despite all the distractions.

For example, in my research, this kind of book lover chooses to read instead of going out to buy lunch with work buddies. Reads a few chapters before sleeping. Keeps a paperback on hand for an unexpected spare moment. Reading is an intention. As one of the respondents determinedly put it, “Reading is my dessert.”

In celebration, I’ve designed an entire holiday giveaway around this love. It has four parts and runs just for three weeks (November 17 - December 5). It’s personalized, designed so I can be in touch with you. And it has an opportunity (with no purchase required) for you to win one of four gift sets - whoeeee!

Here’s the scoop.

Part 1: Your Free “Reader’s Manifesto”

A “Reader’s Manifesto” is a statement, a declaration, and an intention for now and the year ahead. It’s a tool for reasserting your time when life’s demands have gotten in the way. It’s a first step to making your reading time non-negotiable.

My hope is that it inspires putting a little fire back under your commitment to reading, especially if your reading time’s slipped into being hijacked.

Download the free Reader’s Manifesto here.

Part 2: Tools to Protect Your Reading Time

To provide a little barrier to life’s interruptions, I’ve also created book reading reminders: whimsical door hangers. Each has a witty saying that reflects a tactic to protect your reading experience.

• “Shhh! Naptime is for Novels” — defines a little break time to get in another chapter.

  
  

• “Indulge me. Reading is My Dessert” — decadent, indulgent, delicious, a well-deserved extra treat.

  
  

• “On a Read Trip. Please leave a message.” — declares that you’re out of touch for a bit, on your own mental journey.

  
  

• “Soaking up a Book” — yes, the timeless check-in to your own off-limits space for a bubbly soak and a book.

  
  

Pop it on a door handle and close that door to establish: This is my time!

There are two ways you can get one (or all) of these physical door hangers for your own reading space. One door hanger can be selected (without cost) with a Part 3 purchase (see below). Or all four door hangers can be purchased as a bundle. Read more under “Own Your Own Reading Time” on the Holiday Campaign site here.

These charming illustrations were created by Maria Cavallini of iCreate.

Part 3: A Gift for You and a Reader Friend (The Saving Vincent bundle)

Since we’re edging toward the holidays, I have an idea for your book lover consideration—one for yourself, and one for another reader in your life. It’s a two-book bundle of Saving Vincent.

I’ll gift-wrap it, personalize and sign each one for you, plus add bookmarks and the choice of one door hanger. If you’ve already read my book (thank you!), please consider gifting the second book to spread Jo van Gogh’s inspiring true story.

Learn more about the Two-Book Bundle here.

Part 4: The Holiday Giveaway Sweepstakes (inspired by Jo van Gogh)

For me, stories about women’s achievements and their success against the odds resonate because these obstacles are still present in our society. I’ve been contemplating the themes that I love about Jo’s story: the success of female entrepreneurship through her work as an art dealer, the eternal draw of inspired art as expressed through Vincent van Gogh—the works Jo saved; and finally, the extraordinary global reach of her efforts since Van Gogh is beloved worldwide.

With these themes in mind—entrepreneurship, art and global reach— I’ve curated a free giveaway for book lovers to celebrate these qualities.

Free Sweepstakes: No purchase necessary. I’m giving away four gift bundles. Each bundle includes items sourced from international artisans at my local St. Louis business fair-trade store Zee Bee Market. Each gift bundle includes one whimsical door hanger and a Van Gogh-inspired card.

The four gift bundles feature items like:

• A beautiful artisan journal and compass

  
  

• A cozy candle and comfy socks

  
  

• Fragrant lavender and rose-scented soaps

  
  

• Delicious dark chocolate mousse and butter caramel bars

  
  

Read more and enter the Holiday Giveaway here.

The giveaway runs for three weeks, from November 17 - December 5. (Given international shipping rates I can only offer this giveaway to U.S. addresses.)

When I was a kid I was a book lover in the making. Frequently chased from the house by Mom or Dad saying I had to get out into fresh air, I’d hide a book up under my t-shirt before heading out. Stretched out in the grass, the sun warm on my back with an occasional friendly ant scurrying across the page it took mere seconds to reenter the book’s world.

I’ve read stats about how reading’s been on the decline for a while. Competition from streaming entertainment and social media scrolling are two culprits. Yet, we book lovers have no quarrel with these distractions. Fine. It’s time itself that can be a sneaky thief especially when important family and work and life demands siphon away the hours.

That’s why, this holiday season I’m offering a reset: Ideas to protect your reading time and space because. . .

Reading is a gift we give ourselves.

Warmly,