What IS a "memento libri"??
You may have noticed my shop's name—memento libri--and wondered what it meant. It's really a combination of two ideas. If you've studied medieval or renaissance art, you may have heard of a type of item known as a "memento mori" or "reminder of death." These usually appear as skulls set in prominent places in the painting to remind viewers that life is short. (you can see an example here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Jerome_Writing)
Additionally, a friend once mentioned to me that she doesn't buy physical copies of books anymore, and that most of her books were now on her e-reader. However, there were a few childhood books that she truly treasured, and she wanted a keepsake that she could carry with her.
Many of us move around a lot these days, and it can be daunting to carry large libraries of books around with us when we move. Increasingly, like my friend, people are turning more to eBooks or borrowing from the library than buying physical copies to keep.
My "memento libri" combines these two concepts-- it translates from the Latin into something like, "remember the book" or "book souvenir." For those who may not have the space, or who may have long ago passed along their favorite book to a child, I offer this memento libri jewelry.
Remember the book. Keep it close. Wear it proudly.