Recently my friends and I were discussing books we had read; which turned into a deep conversation about books we would read until the words were worn off the pages.
I was surprised and saddened to find that some of my favorite books were not only missing from their lists but missing from their libraries altogether. I was shocked to hear that Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights wasn't on their mandatory reading list when they were in school.
When I look back at my time in school, it's not necessarily the teachers I remember, but the books they required me to read. My view on the world and appreciation for the things in it was definitely expanded by reading Jane Austen, Emily Bronte and others. I couldn't help feeling my friends had some how been short changed by not being exposed to these great works of literature. It got me thinking; would my children miss out on the classics as well? Would they use their library cards to check out Dickens or Poe on their own? I didn't like the answer I came up with.
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My faith in the world was restored last Saturday when I met some people who had turned their love of literature into a business. I was instantly a fan of Out of Print Clothing when saw their tee shirts with the book cover of To Kill a Mockingbird and Moby Dick on them. Surely The Outsiders and Pride and Prejudice will continue to be readers' favorites if they adorn shirts, iPhone covers, book totes and more.
The best part is, for every shirt they sell a book is donated to a community in need through their partner company Books for Africa. I've already got a few shirts picked out! Check them out and let me know what you think.
