I first learnt the Japanese word ‘tsundoku’ a few years ago and promptly added it to my little book of favourites (yes, this is an actual book).

It refers to a pile of a growing pile of books that you haven’t read and was Japanese slang in the Meiji era. It is a portmanteau combining elements of ‘tsunde-oku’, meaning to pile things up ready for later and leave and ‘dokusho’, meaning reading books. In other words, it’s the perfect term for my fellow bookworms who buy more books than they can ever possibly – or will – get through. For me, it also speaks to the idea of a book as an object of beauty, regardless of whether you ever read it.

There are a number of tsundoku owners in my family, which is why our WhatsApp chat group is called ‘Hands off my tsundoku’. I figured we’re not the only ones out there with beloved book towers, so I created a print to celebrate our shared love.

Printmaking with lino is a manual craft that requires specialist tools and inks. The nature of the process means that each print is unique and may feature some speckling in the ink. This is part of what makes this artform so beautiful. Please note there may be slight variations from the print in the photo.

This is an unframed linocut print and I will send it to you in a compostable protective sleeve backed with card and a board-backed envelope to keep it sturdy and ready to frame or give as a gift.