Raven & Moth’s Exciting New Reads for a Lifestyle of Ease

by Stephanie Watson

RAVEN AND MOTH HAS become a well-known staple of Downtown Paducah shopping, offering patrons earthy, organic vibes, sustainably sourced clothing, and loads of handcrafted, whimsical décor. After five years in business, they decided to expand their merchandise this spring, and, most excitingly for bibliophiles like us, that included carrying books. PADUCAH LIFE sat down with owner Erileigh Phalen to hear about the inspiration behind her carefully curated collection as well as her suggestions on what to read next.

“I have absolutely no idea why we slept on carrying books for so long!” admitted Phalen. “I’m a reader and book lover myself but somehow missed the (now-obvious) connection until we stumbled upon some titles that just seemed to be the perfect fit. Our goal with Raven & Moth is to provide quality-made goods in a relaxing atmosphere for people with a ‘stop and smell the roses’ outlook on life. We have curated titles specifically for that Raven & Moth lifestyle - for a slower, more intentional way of living.”

This includes anything from southern-inspired cookbooks, sustainable gardening, lots of bourbon, and a hefty dose of whimsy. “One of my favorite titles, Adventures at Home, really captures that spirit perfectly by inspiring readers to find the everyday magic in creating special moments as a family in your own backyard.”

Additionally, the shop likes to support local artisans and fellow small businesses. “We were thrilled to recently add a selection of works by Kentucky authors or about the Bluegrass state from our own University Press of Kentucky,” says Erileigh. “I was stunned to find out that the illustrations for our gorgeous book Birds of Kentucky were all hand-drawn by a Kentucky artist and have been favorably compared to the famous works of Audubon! Whether you’re looking for a book to gift or something to inspire your own easy lifestyle, Raven & Moth has you covered!”