Cultured academic and avid reader Luke Galea (@luke.reads) loves anything with a story – the more character, the better. Today, we’re chatting to him about his favourite We Are Not a Shop picks.
Hi, Luke! Thanks for joining us. Could you tell us about your We Are Not a Shop selections?
For starters, I picked Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón because it was one of the first books I read while studying for my Masters. It was recommended to me by an American friend, and I devoured it in one sitting. That was 11 years ago now, so it’s quite nostalgic to me.
Perhaps an obvious choice, but I had to go with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, too – self-explanatory, really! I got into reading because of the Harry Potter series. It was such a constant in my life; every year, I would read and re-read all the books in anticipation of the next installment in the anthology. I still watch the movies every Christmas (yes, all eight of them). What can I say? I’m a fan. I particularly like the illustrations in this edition – some of them are quite creepy!
I also picked an antique Napolean III blue scent bottle. I really like small decorative trinkets for the home, and this colour instantly caught my eye – I think it would make a lovely addition to my study.
Finally, I had to pick this striking flower arrangement. I adore flowers, but I was not gifted with green fingers. And, to make matters even worse, I live in a very damp house, which means that my plants tend to have a 50-50 chance of survival. So, my partner and I have been on a mission to buy real-looking, artificial plants for our living room. When I saw this, I thought, “Perfect!” It’s beautiful, small, and you can display it anywhere.
Thanks for sharing those with us, Luke. Now, what do you like the most about We Are Not a Shop?
I think it’s the sheer variety of items there are to choose from. You can find something for anyone – I can’t wait to tell my friends about it!
We’re glad you love it! Did you choose any of your items with someone specific in mind?
Yes, I have a few friends who would be super excited to receive some vintage items from the Collectors’ Corner. They try to live more sustainably by giving previously owned items a new home, so some products at We Are Not a Shop would be right up their street.
Finally, what item would you most want to receive as a gift?
There are so many! I would say either the nautical-themed cushion cover or the gorgeous blue and white pottery dish – it’s impossible to choose between the two!
We won’t make you choose, Luke; you can have them both! Thanks for chatting to us!
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