If 2026 is the year of friction-maxxing, the summer will entirely focus on paying attention. To the world around you, as opposed to screens. Even though I am over 30 and therefore decrepit, I agree with the youthful turn towards the Analog Bag.
The young influencer Brynne Anika Fritjofson coined the term to refer to her choice to carry a physical book in her purse. She decorated the bag to designate it as her fun, activity-filled analog solution to spending too much time on her phone. However, the bag is not just a book tote: any non-smartphone activity will do. The best books and activities in your analog bag help you reduce doomscrolling time.
Since I was a teenager, I’ve followed the Analog Bag lifestyle and made sure to only carry bags that could fit a book. Although I regularly use an ereader, I still prefer a physical book to flip back and forth, especially to check on character names and double-check important setting information.
Tote bags are obviously useful, but I also prefer an analog bag with multiple pockets for books, fidget toys, flashlights, and a small puzzle. The point of the analog bag is to use the physical items you know instead of searching through the digital realm for a distraction. Toting books about paying attention, or activities that allow you to sit still, is a great way to build your own analog bag.
Whether you’re indulging in knitting patterns or meeting a word count goal, here are some recommendations for books that slow you down and activities that keep your attention focused.
Books About Paying Attention
Better Living Through Birding by Christian Cooper
In addition to presenting an excellent birding show on National Geographic, Cooper shares his excellent insights about birdwatching through his memoir. His love of birding has had overall positive effects on his mental health and belief in a better world. It’s perfect for your analog bag because it will absolutely spark an interest in birding, and it will encourage you to look at the world around you more patiently. You can’t look at your phone, because you might miss a glimpse of a rare owl!
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The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer, illustrated by John Burgoyne
You don’t actually have to take up gardening to appreciate the beauty of growing things. Robin Wall Kimmerer focuses her latest work on the joy and abundance of the serviceberry. Her overall point is that we don’t have to hoard resources, and we should take a cue from the serviceberry about how to share with each other and with the natural world.
Games and Guides
The Tunisian Crochet Handbook by Toni Lipsey
Even if you’re not a beginner with knitting, the style of Tunisian crochet that Lipsey lays out here is a great new skill. The book is still super accessible for beginners, with some commentary on the history of crochet in Tunisia and how makers developed these patterns.
99 Movie Crosswords by A24
If you’re looking for less phone time but still want to do a daily crossword game, this is a great intervention. The movie crosswords are curated by filmmakers in the A24 ecosystem: Lulu Wang, David Lowery, Stephanie Hsu, and more contributed. Alongside your crossword book, get a decorative pencil case to keep your writing implements.
Peggy Dean’s Guide to Nature Drawing and Watercolor: Learn to Sketch, Ink, and Paint Flowers, Plants, Trees, and Animals by Peggy Dean
Picking up a new, low-stakes hobby is another summer goal I usually have. Dean’s guide gives a ton of practical advice for drawing nature and animals. Alongside summer hikes, you can slow down and take some time to observe and record what you see. As a city kid, I’ll give it a shot at the parks, and maybe draw some flower boxes on buildings, too.
However you plan to decorate and pack your analog bag this summer, it’s a perfect opportunity to slow down and appreciate the world around us. Try also decorating your analog bag with bookish patches and bag charms.
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