The other day, I walked into the lab where I get Remicade infusions for a couple of hours every five weeks for rheumatoid arthritis. As usual, I'd brought along a few items to keep me occupied while I was tethered to the IV - my laptop in a small case, my phone, my Kindle.
Multiple electronics, so I can graze and read and don't have to worry about one or the other running out of juice before I'm through. It's happened, and then I'm stuck begging someone to find a magazine for me.
Even though I'm usually reading two or three at any given time, cramming a book into the bag usually results in a book that looks like it's been beat up.
I've even accidentally ripped a cover or page trying to get something else out of the bag.
This time, though, I brought a book and left the computer at home - it tucked neatly into my purse, snuggled against the e-reader and I was a good bit less encumbered and happily relaxed to read without worrying about needing to recharge anything.
After a few minutes, the lab tech curiously asked me about the sleeve holding the book.
"Did you get a new tablet?"
I showed her that it was a sleeve holding a real book, and she asked to take a closer look.
The sleeve I was using was a Book Beau Sleeve, Indie sized, made with a very cute eyeglasses fabric.
What had my lab tech's curiosity up is the same thing that has led me to spend the last month carrying it everywhere, from the day I first received it for review:
- It's not just cute, it's incredibly protective and functional. The padding covers the entire sleeve on both sides of the book and are as protective as the padding in my laptop bag that protects my laptop without being unduly bulky.
- The stitching is pristine and is holding up very well to frequent movement in and out of my purse full of other items.
- I can easily insert high quality paperbacks of average thickness into the Indie size and still have room for my paperwhite to come along. I've had no damage at all to either book, tablet or sleeve.
- For larger hardbacks or small trade paperbacks, there are additional sizes available - the Indie is the medium size.
- The clasp is easy to open and close and does the job of holding the sleeve close to the book for better protection - I have tried and rejected numerous tote-like products simply because they overthought the clasp and made it too difficult to use. The button and elastic here provides both closure and flexibility.
Before I'd finished that day's infusion, my lab tech was writing down the website for Book Beau and telling me it would be great for her daily Metro subway commute, and I agree!
In this past month, I've had several doctor's appointments and we even moved - Book Beau has been my companion daily, giving me an attractive and useful way of keeping my current reading material safe and at ready. And the adorable pattern gets comments and questions everywhere I go.
Book Beau is on my shortlist of gift ideas for my book loving friends and family, and I've decided I need the Mini size, too - especially after seeing all the cute fabric patterns currently available. I am positive that these would be very happily received gifts for Mother's Day, Father's Day and everything in between.
If you travel with a book or e-reader (or both), check them out. I think you'll agree the hardest part will be narrowing them down to one or two!
Book Beau sleeves are available to order from their website, and cost $15 for minis, $20 for Idies, and $25.00 for XL. They are currently taking pre-orders for the new Jumeau Sized sleeves, sized to handle large hardbacks like the Harry Potter series - these will start shipping in mid-May and run $30 each.
https://www.facebook.com/bookbeausleeves/
