So, you’re shopping for a book lover. Here’s the truth: they probably don’t need another book right now. I have a TBR pile that’ll last me another year. And while I do get a lot of joy out of getting new books, I’m also very into products that support my overeager book-reading goals.
Instead of recommending the season’s most popular books, I’ve put together a gift guide full of products that enhance and improve the entire reading experience.
Whether you’re shopping for Christmas, birthday, or other occasion, any item from this bookish gift guide is sure to be a hit!
Do you have a product that’s perfect for book lovers? Contact me to be considered for a future update to this gift guide.
1. Sweet Reads Box
Sweet Reads Box is a book subscription service, but it’s so much more than just a book. Each box dives into the theme of the bestselling fiction novel inside with curated items that tie into it. Use code BIBLIO for 10% off!
Each box comes with a popular, current novel and:
- Three-four items connected to your novel’s storyline/setting/characters
- A delicious drink to set the mood
- A sweet treat to enjoy while reading
- A card explaining the choice of novel and how the items connect to it
It’s such an experience and really helps you get into the mood and atmosphere of the book. Use code BIBLIO for 10% off!
2. Whimsical Bookmark
My Bookmark creates the most unusual handmade bookmarks in the world. All book lovers need bookmarks – I know I’m guilty of using receipts and random scraps of paper to mark my spot.
The bookmarks from My Bookmark have features that stick out from the book, making the entire bookmark experience fun and unique. There’s an adventure collection, an animal collection, a Christmas collection, and more.
I have a special place in my heart for the Girly collection! The sloth bookmark is also legendary.
3. Bookends
There are so many different styles of bookends, and they make such a thoughtful gift for a book lover.
Does your book-loving friend also love cats? These cat bookends are perfect. Do they love crystals? These agate bookends are sturdy and very unique. How about chess? There are bookends for that, too.
Perhaps my personal favorites are the wooden bookends from Anthropologie. They’re beautiful and classic!
4. Booklight
These flat-page booklights are really cool – they’re certainly a step up from the standard clip-on book lights.
They also double as a bookmark. This style of booklight is fairly unique and novel (pun intended), and it’s also very affordable at around $10.
5. Remote Control Page Turner
If the book lover on your list has a Kindle or the Kindle app, they’d probably love a remote control page-turner.
The remote works for iPads, iPhones, Android devices, and Kindles. It makes turning the page a whole lot simpler!
6. Book Lover T-Shirts
The book lover t-shirts from Amazing Faith Designs are some of my favorites! The phrases on them are positively punny:
- I have no shelf control t-shirt
- A day without reading is like – just kidding. I have no idea t-shirt
- Drink coffee, read books, be happy t-shirt
The shirts are all 100% cotton with a classic fit and tear-away label. Plus, you’re supporting a small business with every purchase. You can get an extra 10% off your purchase with code BOOKLOVER10.
7. Library Embosser
Embossing your books with a personalized library embossing tool is pretty darn cool. You imprint your name on the front page to mark your territory. It adds that special touch to your book collection. When you loan to friends or pass them down to future generations, your name is there!
The embossing tool is available right from Amazon, and you can personalize it with your name.
8. Library Stamp
An alternative to the embosser tool is a library stamp.
The stamps have great design options, and while they won’t actually impress on the pages, it still gives that same, personalized effect.
9. Book of the Month Subscription
Gifting books is so hard because you need to know what genres your book lover likes, and what if they already own the book you want to give? A fantastic way to gift books is through a Book of the Month subscription.
I’ve personally been a subscriber for about a year now, and it’s something I look forward to every month. There are typically 5 books chosen each month in a variety of genres, and you get to choose which one you want to be shipped to your door.
The pricing is fantastic, and it’s this entire community where you can talk about the latest and greatest books. I’m a big fan!
You can get the first month for $5 using my link, but there are also gift subscription options if you’re not shopping for yourself (I’m guilty).
10. Kindle Oasis
I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention an e-reading device, and the Kindle is the king of them all right now.
There are essentially two different versions: the Oasis and the Paperwhite.
The Oasis is more expensive and is a bit of a luxury version with an aluminum case and glass screen (the Paperwhite is a plastic case and screen). The Oasis also has page turn buttons whereas you have to swipe with the Paperwhite.
Other than a few other minor differences, the actual technology between the two devices is very similar. If you want to gift a higher end device, go for the Oasis. If you’re more about functionality than luxury, the Paperwhite is the way to go.
11. Kindle Gift Card
An obxious follow-up to the Kindle device is a Kindle gift card so your book lover can purchase some new e-books. One of the most exciting gifts for a book lover is a blank space in which to fill with books, digital or otherwise!
I’d also lump in here a gift card to a local bookstore. I know it’s convenient to order a book in one click on Amazon and have it at your doorstep the next day (guilty as charged), but local bookstores need us!
If there are any local shops in your area, I promise your book-loving friend or family member would adore a gift certificate to visit and peruse the shelves.
12. Ugg Pouf
Serious readers know all about the Ugg pouf, and you either love it or you hate it.
But if you love it, you reallllllly love it.
You can get this pouf, which is ideal for e-readers or tablets, from Bed Bath & Beyond. It puts your e-reader in the perfect, propped-up position to make reading that much more comfortable.
Because it’s so beloved, it may be out of stock. I asked the Book of the Month Club Member’s Facebook group, and they really came through a fantastic alternative!
The Book Seat is loved by many, and some say they even prefer it over the Ugg pouf.
13. Havenly Reading Room Design
If you have a room, or even a part of a room, that you want to function as a library or reading nook, definitely check out Havenly’s design services.
I’ve used this to layout and design our entryway and living room, and I still can’t believe how much personalized help you get for the price. You upload photos of the space along with room dimensions, and a designer gets to know your style.
Then, you’ll get mockups of the room layout and a 3D rendering so you visualize exactly how your space would look with the new furniture and layout. I’m a very visual person, so this part was critical for me.
Havenly even has an entire section of their website dedicated to Reading Rooms, which is super cool!
14. Bookish Candles
Set the atmosphere for a cozy reading environment with a bookish candle. I’m in love with Book Club from the brand Homesick. It totally encapsulates the feeling of cuddling up on a rainy day with a good book.
The candle is made of soy and smells like warm nutmeg, amber, and sandalwood. It also has 60-80 hours of burn time and just makes for a fantastic gift.
15. Book-Themed Tea
If your book lover also enjoys steeping a hot cup of tea before diving into a novel, check out Novel Teas. I mean, come on. I wish I came up with that name.
Novel Teas comes with 25 teabags, each with a different literary quote. It’s also made of the finest English breakfast tea, so it’s a great cup of tea and a fun experience all wrapped into one.
16. Book Bucket List Scratch-Off Poster
If you have an avid reader that’s into the classics, consider a book bucket list poster. Each time they finish one of these 100 books, they’ll scratch it off.
Here’s the list of books on this poster:
- American Gods
- Lord of the Flies
- Siddhartha
- Sophie’s World
- A Brief History of Time
- The Great Gatsby
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Matilda
- The Complete Art of War
- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
- Long Walk to Freedom
- Murder on the Orient Express
- The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
- Noughts & Crosses
- In Cold Blood
- Frankenstein
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
- The Secret History
- Wuthering Heights
- Nineteen Eighty Four
- The Grapes of Wrath
- Norwegian Wood
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
- The Man in the Iron Mask
- The Color Purple
- The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
- Lolita
- Great Expectations
- Harry Potter (series)
- His Dark Materials (trilogy)
- The Old Man and The Sea
- The Picture of Dorian Gray
- The Road
- Ulysses
- Bad Science
- I Capture the Castle
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
- Les Miserables
- The Catcher in the Rye
- The Wind in the Willows
- Wild Swans
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
- Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy
- Crime and Punishment
- The Poisonwood Bible
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- Gulliver’s Travels
- The War of the Worlds
- Anna Karenina
- Freakonomics
- A Game of Thrones
- The Help
- Flowers for Algernon
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
- American Psycho
- Notes from a Small Island
- MacBeth
- The Lord of the Rings (trilogy)
- A History of Venice
- The Selfish Gene
- The Handmaid’s Tale
- A Wild Sheep Chase
- Schindler’s Ark
- London Fields
- The Hound of the Baskervilles
- My Man Jeeves
- The English Patient
- The Mill on the Floss
- The Count of Monte Cristo
- The Commitments
- Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman
- Midnight’s Children
- Tess of the D’Urbervilles
- The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
- Hamlet
- Goodnight Mister Tom
- Dissolution
- The Time Machine
- Winnie The Pooh (complete collection)
- Animal Farm
- The Diary of a Young Girl
- The Enchanted Wood
- Dracula
- All Quiet on the Western Front
- Bridget Jones’s Diary
- The Kite Runner
- Pride and Prejudice
- To the Lighthouse
- Memoirs of a Geisha
- Misery
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- Watership Down
- The Odyssey
- War and Peace
- Bird Song
- Tell No One
- Moby Dick
- A Tale of Two Cities
- Middlemarch
- Jane Eyre
Another version of this poster is black and gold if that color scheme better fits the book nerd on your list.
17. Book Darts
For those that prefer a more understated, simplistic style, check out book darts.
These are minimalistic bookmarks made of stainless steel. They have a classic look and feel and save your spot without being showy or over-the-top.
Another bonus is you can mark which line you stopped reading on. No need to re-read an entire page to get back into your novel!
18. Tequila Mockingbird
My mother got me this Tequila Mockingbird cocktail book right after I graduated college, and I absolutely adore it. As an English major, I super appreciated all the funny literary cocktails, but you don’t need a B.A. in English to enjoy this gift.
Plus, there’s an updated version of this recipe book for its 10th anniversary. That’s how you know it’s a classic!
19. Nightstand Book Holder
I love reading before bed, and a nightstand book holder is the perfect way to keep your book close and save your spot! No bookmark required.
If you have the tools and know-how, I think you could also make this using some scrap wood. It’s beyond me, but my hubby just added this to his honey-do list!
20. Noble Objects Book-Themed Scented Candles
Imagine a candle that could transport you to your favorite scene from a book. That’s exactly what Noble Objects has done with their line of book-themed scented candles.
Visit the rainy pages of Sense and Sensibility or enjoy the scent of Southern florals with Gone with the Wind.
21. Book Club Mug
Sips by, a fantastic tea subscription service that I and my mother-in-law adore, has a very classy mug. Settle in with a warm cup of tea and a good book with this Book Club mug, featuring a few classic titles.
This porcelain mug features a colorful illustrated design with a gilded rim and handle to add a little something special to your cup of tea.
22. Mexican Loomed Hammock
I’m unsure if anything can sound more relaxing than a warm drink, a good book, and a cozy hammock in the fresh air.
This Mexican Loomed Hammock from Bespoke Post looks beautiful, is hand-loomed, and makes for the perfect reading environment.
The hammock stand isn’t included, but you can get a very inexpensive one from Amazon.
23. The Best Pen Known to Man
For book annotators, a great, inexpensive gift is the best pen known to man. I’m very opinionated about pens and how they glide across the page.
It may not be a Mont Blanc, but I swear the best pen I’ve ever had is the Pentel Ballpoint Pen ENERGEL Clena 0.5mm. It’s phenomenal, and it’s also great for left-handers and it dries instantly.
If you’re shivering at the thought of annotating with anything other than a pencil, these are great. They’re mechanical and have an eraser on them.
24. Genius Writers Playing Cards
Spice up your next round of Poker with a literary-themed deck of cards.
Genius Writers features some of the most exciting literary figures of the 20th and 21st centuries.
25. Custom Literary Quote Pillow
A bookworm can’t resist a pillow featuring quotes from their favorite novel.
Get a custom book quote pillow created by the small business owner behind Amazing Faith Designs. She has an example on her site with the last line of The Great Gatsby, but she can do any quote you like!
You can also get an extra 10% off using code BOOKLOVER10.
26. Vintage Library Due Date Card Coaster Set
Ahh, the library. It’s a quiet, peaceful place to discover new books and share them with others in your community.
I love the visual of seeing all the people who have checked out the book before you, and this due date card coaster set keeps that memory alive.
27. TBR Tarot Cards
Help your fellow book lover discover their next book with these TBR Tarot Cards from Etsy.
Cards feature instructions like “Choose a book which has a season in the title” or “Choose a book which has a person on the cover.” It makes the whole book selection process that much more fun! You can also consult with your friends and family and get some amazing recommendations this way.
28. Literary Charades
Put a literary spin on the game charades with these Literary Charades cards. They’re perfect for book clubs or those in need of a game night with bookish friends looking for entertaining and fast-paced fun.
29. The Light We Give Tea Box
Sips by partnered with Simran Jeet Singh to create this custom-curated tea box to celebrate the release of The Light We Give. In The Light We Give, Simran Jeet Singh shares his inspiring approach to leading a happier, more fulfilling life through Sikh teachings on love and service.
His family hails from Punjab where tea is a love language. When his parents immigrated to Texas, they found a second love – iced tea – and now it’s another form of caffeine that lives in their bloodstream. The author shares what his life has been like between these two worlds and how he’s found calm and comfort in the face of life’s challenges.
30. Thumb Page Holder
A thumb page holder can make reading a lot more comfortable, especially for those who prefer hardcovers. I love these botanical resin ones from Etsy, which are soft and smooth on your skin and look beautiful!
31. Shakespeare Insult Generator
The Shakespeare Insult Generator is another gift my mom gave me towards the end of my college years, and it still gives me a good laugh.
From “apish bald-pated abomination” to “cuckoldly dull-brained blockhead” to “obscene rump-fed hornbeast,” each insult can be chosen at random or customized to fit any situation that calls for a literary smackdown.
It’s the perfect little book to put on a coffee table or in the bathroom, and your guests will chuckle as they generate their own hilarious insults.
32. STET! Dreyer’s English
Based on the New York Times bestseller by Random House’s copy chief Benjamin Dreyer, STET! will help you sharpen those language skills or give you a reason to show them off (you know who you are).
There are 100 entertaining sentences waiting for you, the copyeditor, to correct–or, alternatively, to STET. The first person to spot the error, or else call out “STET!” (a copyeditor’s term that means “let it stand”) if there is no error, gets the card.
There are two ways to play: compete for points in a straightforward grammar game, or play with style and syntax and whip the author’s sentences into splendid shape. The person with the most cards at the end of the game wins!
33. Personal Library Kit
Sharing your book collection with friends and family is an absolute joy, and making things look like a real library is just cool.
This personal library kit allows you to prepare your book collection for lending! Revive old-fashioned library circulation techniques for fun and book retention. It’s a cute and practical gift for any book hoarder.
34. PopSockets PopGrip
These little grippers from PopSockets make reading with a Kindle or tablet way more comfortable. It’s also a very inexpensive gift that would make for a perfect stocking stuffer.
35. Reading Journal
Capture your thoughts and reaction to a book by keeping a reading journal. You can also have the satisfaction of seeing just how many books you’ve managed to read.
I love this particular one from Amazon as it has helpful reading prompts and challenges that make it so much more than just a regular journal.
36. Book Sleeve
Help your bookworm friend keep their book safe from the elements (or the inside of their purse or briefcase) with a book sleeve. There are lots of different prints and styles to match whoever you’re shopping for.
37. Book-Themed Tote for Library Trips
Odds are the bookworm on your list frequents the local library, and that means they need something to help lug their books from the library to the car.
A book-themed tote is perfect for this scenario, though it can be used for other things, too. This one from Kate Spade is a cult favorite.
38. Cozy Reading Blanket
Every reader needs a cozy blanket for late-night reading sessions.
My favorite blanket is the uber popular luxury blanket from Barefoot Dreams. Nothing beats it in my eyes. It’s soooo cozy, and my kids are always stealing it from my bedroom.
But if you’re shopping on a budget, this oversized faux mink blanket is perfect for snuggling up and digging into a new book.
39. Folding Book Lamp
This folding book lamp is a total mood. It looks like any other hardcover when it’s closed, but it fans out into this nice ambient light when you open it up.
It’s a great gift idea for the book nerd in your life!
40. Book Tray for the Bathtub
A cocktail, a book, and a warm bath? Yes.
This bath caddy has a spot just for your book or e-reader, and there’s other little compartments for must-haves like a drink and your phone. Talk about relaxing with a good book!
41. Bookshelf Decor
Help that book lover decorate their bookshelf with some home decor items. I’m in love with these small metal sculptures by Jalunth, but you can get very creative here.
A trip to the antique store might also uncover some really good bookshelf decor finds!
FAQs
Not all book-loving audiences are the same! Here’s a closer look at which gifts might fit certain bookworm recipients the best.
What do I buy someone who loves books?
Someone who loves books would appreciate products and services that enhance the book-reading experience. A unique bookmark, flat-page booklight, punny t-shirt, bookends, or a book-scented candle are all sure to be a hit.
What do you get a book nerd?
For book nerds, I recommend products with puns or inside jokes only the truest of book lovers would appreciate. Literary games like STET! and books like Shakespeare Insult Generator work well here. Another great option is a bucket list scratch-off poster featuring 100 books. They’ll likely get a kick out of scratching off several books upon arrival!
What do I get a mom who loves books?
I’m a mom who loves books, and this one’s easy. Get her something that’ll make reading books a total luxury. Bonus if it’s something she wouldn’t normally buy herself. The Book Club candle, Novel Tea literary tea set, Ugg pouf, or Mexican Loomed Hammock on this gift guide will make her smile.
What do I get my spouse who loves books?
If your husband or wife is the book lover in your family, I’d opt for one of the pricier options on this list, such as the Kindle Oasis or Book of the Month Club subscription. These are gifts that will help your spouse appreciate and enjoy the reading experience for many months to come.
Conclusion
Show the book lover in your life that you know them well by gifting them something that improves and enhances their reading experience.
Let me know if you have any more great ideas in the comment section below!
