Turning Myself Into a "Walking Library"! 

Helloooo all!!! I will have captions up midday-ish tomorrow! Bit of a late night tonight and I have some father's day things to do in the morning but they're a-comin'!! K THAS IT I LOVE YOU

“Are you a… living art installation?” “I’M A RU-vidR 🥰” I’m crying

My favorite was the guy who picked a book, and immediately sat down to read it to his little boy. So cute!!

To the person that asked if you were a living art instillation, we appreciate you.

omg that dad actually sat down with his son and read him the book like i can't *cries and sobs hysterically*

The scene with the dad & his little kid. Was so, so, so sweet. What a great memory. That little kid will have BECAUSE of you.

I feel like if you did this at a renaissance fair, people would absolutely love it!

Last week: "I hate wearing shorts." This week: "ADVENTURE SHORTS!!"

that little kid is going to forever remember the day a lovely lady in a pretty dress with a bookcase on her back gave them a book and their dad reading to them :)

For the kids who got to see a strange lady with a whimsical dress made of book pages, offering free books from a little library on her back, with little plants and castles on the edges? Holy crap, you must have made those kids' week. That's some "fantasy story" stuff in real life, and you can bet they'll remember it for a while!

“Are you a living art installation?” “I’m a RU-vidr.” The JOY!! Introvert’s nightmare worth it for the pure serotonin it brought.

Omg if I saw someone with a bookshelf strapped to their back in my town, giving away classics, I would SO take a book. How could people say no to that??

On behalf of introverts, ambiverts, and socially awkward peeps across the board, we're super freaking proud of you!!

The dad who promptly started reading to his son made me want to cry. As a librarian, I am very passionate about reading to children. What a wonderful moment that you helped make happen!

OH MAN. I feel those "I'm going to throw up" nerves before filming in public SO HARD.

I scrolled a little and didn’t see an answer. The bird whistling “tee-hee” is a chickadee.

I can't even begin to describe how much I love this.

Not gonna lie, seeing someone in a book dress with a magical looking bookshelf on her back giving away free vintage-y books would have made my entire week as a kid! As an adult... yeah nah that still would have made my entire week. :)

Why was this the most wholesome thing??? I got misty eyed when the dad immediately sat down and started reading to the small child. So freaking ADORABLE!

Rachel, if you brought this project to a renaissance fest or a steampunk convention, I think you'd have a lot of takers!! In a joyful kind of atmosphere where people feel more open in that context. But I love that you put yourself out there, it really put a smile on my face!!

It's like a little backpack, the size turned out perfect! Literally the cutest! Random people on the street are more likely to be wary of anyone approaching them, but you'd be a huge hit if you wore this to a convention in the future! Somewhere where people are there to have fun and meet people :) From a fellow introvert, a big congrats on pushing through the nerves to make some people happy!!!

I can see this being a thing in a school or a children's hospital. Gorgeous, fun, approachable woman with a bookcase of books on her back walks into a room full of kids, instantly making their day.

Okay, but can you imagine Rachel doing this like at a children’s hospital or on those book fair days? How frigging cute would that be? Obviously once the plague times are far behind us.

This is just plain wholesome! The outfit - superb! The bookshelf? Whimsical! The dad reading to his child? Adorable! A beautiful project!

Now can you make a picnic basket backpack?

Here we see Rachel Maksy defying anxiety like no person has ever attempted before! A true marvel to behold!

“Living art installation” Rachel: oh, no, I’m a RU-vidr Everyone else: YES! She is!!!

I helped do a Human Library event, and it was extremely difficult to get people to do it. I was the one trying to bring people into the 'Library,' and I got just an astronomical number of nos. But the people who did it, loved it! (Human Library is where you 'check out' a person and have a 20-30 minute conversation with them about part of their life.)

Rachel : *puts clay on a perfectly goodlooking shelf* Me: "Whyyyyyy?" 20 mins later , Shelf :*looks fantastic* Me: "oh, thats why duh" And that's why we love youuuuuuu

This was the CUTEST THING EVER. The dad that started reading to his kid, I almost cried that was so sweet. Also I bet you everyone who said no thought there'd be a catch. I find myself automatically saying "no thanks" to people who approach me for stuff before I realize what they're actually offering lol.

that dad immediately going to read his chosen book to his kid made me cry omg you did a great thing here, rachel. thanks for sharing with your neighbors.

"the closer I get to bringing this out to the public the more I want to throw up" if ever there was a more accurate statement for my interactions with people 🤣

I actually work in a library and am a die hard bibliophile, this entire ensemble is what I invision my personality as an outfit would be. Love this so much ❤

THE PARENTS WHO WERE LIKE 'YEAH I'LL TAKE A BOOK' AND THEIR KIDS SEEMED HYPE? CUTE AS HELL!!

does anyone else wish they had a friend like Tommy to walk around thrift stores with?

Maybe it would clarify your intentions to have like a little "lending library" sign on your shelf...I don't know, this project is delightful.

I totally had 2nd had anxiety/nervousness when Rachel was getting out to walk in her lending library ensemble. Literally paused and covered my face for a few minutes trying to tell myself "YOUR NOT the one walking out in public. Calm down girl." Also telling myself " AAAaah why are we doing this!"...😂😂🤣

Shortly after the video begins: Rachel: [performs Bohemian Rhapsody in her dark basement] Me: This is why I'm subscribed.

I think if you were interested in “dusting off” this amazing costume idea again, maybe look into local library/bookstore events? As a fellow introvert, it can be difficult to put yourself out there, but I think that little moment with the dad and his son was worth it!

"COWS!" That's me with every animal I encounter. "HORSIES! CAT! BUNNY! SQUIRREL!" 😅

Rachel: I want to save my back by making the bookshelf lightweight Also Rachel: adds more weight to the bookshelf with the decorations

I’ve never related to anything harder than Rachel trying to get herself out of the car to face the public.

Okay but imagine the JOY of meeting Rachel strolling along with a bookcase on her back. A bookcase full of beautiful copies of classics, and you get to keep one?! Ah these lucky people

"If I don't wanna do something, I'm really good at not doing it." That resonates with me so, so much. Is it a Taurus thing? Probably.

When the Daddy read to his little one right away it made me happy to the point of tears. :) Those who get it, get it. Also, it would be so incredible to watch what you could come up with if you did a long term series of videos on a larger project. Your creativity would be so amazing to see if it could be set loose over time. :)

random guy: "what for?" rachel: "i dont know!" that was the cutest interaction i've ever heard i--

“Do you want a book?” “What do you mean?” *turns around* *is a book shelf* 😂😂

I can't believe people said no. Offering free vintage books, don't have to ask me twice. I would have had a hard time choosing, you had some excellent pieces!

*STORY TIME!!* Once upon a time, deep within a mystical enchanted wood, something magical would take place. Once a year, one of the most kindest and noblest fairies of all would awaken. All year long she would sleep deep within the nooks of the Old Mother tree, until all the bluebells had died away and summer breeze was calling for her. It was time for her to wake up and uncurl her iridescent wings to head to the human town nearby. Unlike her golden haired sisters who lived in the meadow flowers, her hair was a rich copper and her skin was the whitest colour of snow. She was known as the Bookcase Fairy, whos job it was to spread knowledge, wisdom and imagination to all the children of the town through her library of magical books. After eating a handful of berries and sipping the dew from a tree leaf, she put on and carried her old wooden bookcase upon her shoulders. This was no ordinary bookcase though. Some said, that it had the power to choose the right book for each child, imparting joy and wisdom to each. It was carved out of a great oak that was older than the fairies themselves, decorated with berries, mushrooms and leaves. The Bookcase Fairy only had one day to carry out her duty and so, she would skip happily through the town singing and calling to each child. The towns children would rush out of their houses at the sound of her voice and she would be greeted by rosy cheeks and happy faces as she offered each child a book to read. Some read it with their parents, some found a cosy corner to go to and read, while others read aloud with excitement and cheerfulness in their voice. As the sun started to set, and the children all went home, The Bookcase Fairy headed back to the wood and slowly climbed back up to the old tree. She placed her magic bookcase down for another year and snuggled back into the nook she called home. She had done her duty and imparted the greatest of gifts to the children. The excited children would carry on reading till the late hours that night, and each thanked the kind Bookcase Fairy who slept for another year.

Now that's a library with good circulation! … I'll see myshelf out

Why I cried so much when I saw people grabbing books

I loved this so much! 💕 I bet that outfit would be a hit at a Renaissance Fair, but so would most of your creations 📚 🍄 🌿 ✨

Rachel, don't be so modest: YOU ARE A LIVING ART INSTALLATION!

There are a few of those little free mini “libraries” that are basically just a small cabinet full of books in random locations. There’s a sign on it saying to either return the book or replace it with a new book. I bet that if you did this regularly and in the same areas that people would start saying yes more often. Or they’d start returning books or giving you new books to add to your walking library!

As a fellow introvert, I felt your unwillingness to get out of the car in the very depths of my soul! lol Great job on the dress and the bookshelf. I would have been thrilled to be offered a book :)

The human interactions make me cry real tears. This is lovely. That shot of the child and their dad reading made me feel things.

Can you imagine after one of those people who said yes read the book and put it on their shelf or storage that they come across it again they will also have an extra story attached of getting the book from a kind lady in a book dress.

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

2:13 that part increased my life expectancy ! But jokes aside, this was such a great idea and it was so pleasant to witness people kindly interact with you and look happy about it. You probably gave them a little bit of sunlight in their hearts !☺️ The world is so … mundane now, this really kicks the day when you meet people that share something that stands out with you.

"Hakuna Ma-frikken-tata" 😂😂 I thoroughly enjoy you. I wish we could be real friends. You're awesome. Thanks Rachel 😊

Get a free book and join the cult of whiskey grandpa´s?!?! those people saying no, do not know what they are missing !!

This would have been SO delightful to come across in public, a friendly lady wearing a bookcase with free books is basically a dream Though I’d also wonder what video game I’m unknowingly a part of 😂

I love this. For the record, if I came across something like this on the street, I would love it. Silliness makes life a lot more livable. I'm glad you brought some joy to people. It makes the world more kind to just have a bit of unexpected kindness and fun. I loved every bit of this

"Are you a living art installation." Actually, yes...

It's not a book case... it's not a backpack... it's not a bookbag... IT'S A BOOKPACK

“You have to push yourself up… like a push up.” “HUH?” 💀💀💀

Dear Rachel, To paraphrase Dr Winston Zeddemore, "When someone asks if you're a 'Living Art Installation,' you say 'YES!!!'" PS -- I enjoyed every moment of this, and would have 1,000% been delighted to browse the Walking Library! ❤️

Please bring this costume and bookshell in Paris (France) ! We will love it and you have no "No" ! Thank you for this amazing project !

Let's be honest. Rachel is who we all are on the inside.

As a person studying to be a librarian and people constantly telling me it's a dying field because no body bothers to read nowadays I can't express how much I appreciated this and you just spreading books to the public all the while looking like the kindest, coziest bookselling NPC! ♥ * Edit: Thank you all for your encouraging words! I'm absolutely going to continue my studies and spread the love for books and knowledge for as long as I can! It warms my heart seeing all these comments and I couldn't agree with you all more! ♥

"you want a free book?? :D and also join my cult."- basically Mormons.

6:44 oldschool sci-fi fans gonna be so tilted that she's giving us a vulcan while referencing klingons while playing X-Files music....what a work of art

The "Camera one. Camera two." part gave me major Kronk vibes. Kuzco gets the poison. The poison for Kusco. 🦙

The page skirt with the book corset and traveling bookshelf would be a great outfit for fantasy weekend at RenFaire to be totally honest, especially if you could find some fairy wings that look like giant torn pieces of paper. The Book Fairy could just be an awesome costume in general :D

BIRD CALL: 🐦 Eastern Wood Pewee He says "CHEESEburger" You're welcome 💙

"Living art installation" vs. "I'm a RU-vidr" Rachel you are both. Your style, your cosplays, craft escapades and even your editing are all art. At that moment you were 100% a living art installation. Thank you for sharing your art with us

i live near a children's hospital and now i'm inspired to do this after the pandemic, but with children's books

Anyone dressed like that handing out free books would have really made my day and yay!!! Free boook!!!!!!! The people saying no really missed out.

As a fellow introvert i applaud your bravery👏👏 i would've taken a book from you any day😊

From one taurus to the next... I can relate to the whole home improvement and plant binge.

Rachel, sitting in the car: Could a person with anxiety do this? Tommy: Do what? Rachel, still in the car: Give books to books people from a bookshelf I made... Am I not doing it?

Rachel screaming “COWS!” while driving is every person ever.. no matter how old you are..

As a fellow introvert, you're so brave Rachel 😭 All the people who took a book,, so cute 🥰

This whole Walking Library is amazing but also all your outfits in this video are just So Cute! It worked well that you took your time with this project, the pacing felt very balanced. It's so fun to just to watch you create, and I loved the editing, the jokes, the Bohemian Rhapsody - this is exactly why I'm subscribed. Pretty, creative, funny, cute wholesome content :)

GIRL, you pushed through that fear and ended up conquering it! And who didn't love that Dad sitting down immediately to read to his son?

the bird you're hearing is a black-capped chickadee doing his "fee bee" call :')

The second hand social anxiety I felt! xD It turned out amazing!! And if I saw you walking down the street asking if I wanted a book I would be so excited and say YES YES YES!

Ah, Rachel has discovered Carpenter Ants. They are freakishly big.

Armies of gorgeous, vintage walking-libraries, disrupting the city streets with abandon, are the new flash mobs.

That was such a cute scene seeing all those people light up for books. As an introvert myself, i probably woudl've turned down the offer out of sheer shyness (and not wanting to bother you), but would've 1000% regretted it.

This is so wonderful - and I think it would absolutely KILL at a convention or a street fair/somewhere people are especially primed to interact with the Unusual & Delightful.

This was incredibly AWESOME! Love the 2 parter style as well. And from one socially awkward wood sprite to another, very proud of you getting out there and doing your social art excitement. It was grand and you looked amazing.

I feel like if you had a sign on it that said “free library” or something, it would be a lot less intimidating

“I don’t know carpentry, or wood carving. But this is what I want, so I’m going to Work Something Out”. I want Rachel’s attitude to life, can I fashion that out of foam clay?

Heidi is one of my all time favorite books and I have wanted to live in a small cottage in the swiss alphs, spending the summers piskning flowers, ever since I read it for the first time!

Brave Rachel stepping out of her comfort zone. An inspiration!

Me watching Rachel play with the clay: "What is that blob? Oh a leaf. What blob is that? Oh a leaf. What blob? Oh LEAF!" You think I'd notice a pattern haha

Speaking as an introvert you were fantastic. At least Tommy was there to give his support and Tommyisms to help you along. I really do love how the dress turned out.

"Spray and hope for the best." *whispers*...Rachel...Rachel...you could have said spray and pray... Rachel why you no say spray and pray? *sadness* ...Why Rachel?

If someone walked up to me on the street and offered me a nice old book, I would LOSE MY MIND. I'd treasure that book and tell people the story forever! I cannot believe people turned you down!