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Looking for Christmas gifts for readers? This book lover’s gift guide is your one-stop shop for the best gift ideas.
If there’s one thing my family knows about me, it’s that I love to read and all things books, but one thing I find funny is that every year, for Christmas or my birthday, they aren’t quite sure what to buy for me.
If you have a hard time coming up with gift ideas for the book lover in your life, or if you want a wish list to pass onto your family for gift ideas, the struggle is over.
I spent hours scouring the internet for the best Christmas gifts for readers. Several items on this list are things I personally own. For the ones I don’t own, now you know what to get me 😉
True, you can never go wrong with buying books for a book lover, but that can be wrought with peril because you may not know what books they have and what they want. But there are lots of ways to enhance and support a book lover’s life without buying books (Although there are some good ideas for book buying, too).
This is your ultimate gift guide for book lovers, curated just for you…
First up, a Kindle.
My Kindle Paperwhite is one of my favorite reading tools, and if there’s a reader in your life who doesn’t have one, I think this is a must. Or maybe they have an old one, and they are due for an upgrade. (My Paperwhite is 5+ years old, and I am eyeing an upgrade myself.)
Why the Paperwhite? Reading on a Paperwhite is not like reading on an iPad or iPhone. First, it’s only for reading. Second, it’s designed to feel more like paper versus a screen. Third, I love it for reading in otherwise tricky reading situations like in the dark or at the beach. Fourth, I love that I can adjust the font size.
Which one should you choose? If someone is new to Paperwhites, I recommend going with the original Kindle Paperwhite, the basic Kindle, or the Kindle Paperwhite for Kids. (All three have the same resolution, but the basic Kindle is one inch smaller and is not waterproof. However, it may be a better pick if you are looking for something a bit more compact.)
There are two new Kindles that look promising, but so far, the jury is out on whether or not they are worth the higher price point.
Note: If you are reading this before Black Friday, I do not recommend buying a Kindle right now. Amazon will likely have the best deals on Kindles during their Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale.
These are the three Kindles I recommend buying right now . . .
Kindle paperwhite
Kids Paperwhite
Basic kindle
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Reading Pillow
A few years ago, my mother was visiting, and she had this reading pillow with her that looked like a miniature bean bag. After commenting on how nifty I thought it was, she bought one for me, too.
I love my reading pillow! I use it almost daily. It’s great for propping up a book or Kindle, whether I’m reading on the couch, in bed, or while sitting at a table.
I couldn’t find the exact one she gave me, but here are a few that are similar:
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Reading Light
A reading light is another must for readers, IMO. They are not only useful when reading in the dark but also when reading in a room with poor lighting. My kids love their reading lights, too. (These make great stocking stuffers.)
Pro-tip: If you buy these for your kids, buy them in different colors.
I personally own the first two and love them. I don’t own the neck book light, but I hear so many people rave about it. This might be the year when I finally buy one.
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Whimsical & Bookish Reading Totes
Trust me, the reader in your life does not have enough reading totes (even if you think she does). Every book lover knows the joy of having just the right bag for every reading occasion – whether you are reading at a park, bringing your book haul home from the library, or reading on an airplane.
And it’s fun to have something that will make a statement or make you (and others) laugh.
With that in mind, here are some fun, whimsical reading totes for the reader in your life. There are so many good ones out there. It was hard to narrow it down, but these were my personal favorites.
Library Card Tote Bag
Classic Literature Cat Tote
Booktrovert tote by bamba Tees
Book quote tote by Minnie and Maude
literary totes by Universal Zone
Book lovers tote by COCOMON handmade
Book Themed Canvas Totes
SOME BOOKS INCLUDED
Pros
- Anne of Green Gables
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
- The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
- And More!
Cons
- List item 1
- List item 2
- List item 3
If you think the reader in your life would like something a bit more functional, I really like this one by Brook + Bay. While it has a bit more going on than the simple canvas bags above, it comes with a nice clean minimalist style.
Brook + Bay Corduroy Tote Bag
SOME FEATURES…
Pros
- Large internal zipper pocket
- Small internal pockets.
- Large compartment
- Magnetic closure
Cons
- List item 1
- List item 2
- List item 3
I’ve been a Book of the Month member since 2019, and I have gifted BOTM subscriptions several times to friends and family members. It makes such a great gift to book lovers if you want to give them books but don’t know what books to buy for them.
One of the things I love about BOTM is that the books are beautiful hardcovers. They really feel like a collector’s edition. They also tend to have very good selections across several genres.
The best part of a BOTM subscription is that it is the gift that keeps on giving. Here’s how it works: You buy either a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscription. If you sign up for yourself, you get the first month for $5.
Each month, BOTM gives you a credit that you can use toward one of the selections for that month, or you can choose from a member fave. You also have the option of purchasing additional books for a very reasonable price. BOTM also offers audiobooks.
- Go here if you are buying a subscription for yourself and to get your first book for $5.
- Go here if you are buying a gift for another person.
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Tea Forté — The Best Tea (IMHO)
If the book lover in your life is also a tea lover, they will love the teas from Tea Forté.
Last year, I saw an ad for a tea infuser and thought it would make a great gift for my book and tea-loving mom. When I went to search for it, I ran across Tea Forté, and I was hooked. My mom and I both fell in love with Tea Forté teas and cups with infusers.
Tea Forté is like next-level tea, and it makes a great gift. Not only do they sell delicious teas, they also sell beautiful tea cups and mugs. They also sell loose-leaf tea and tea in their unique pyramid tea infusers (they literally stand up on their own!).
(This makes a great gift for teachers, too!)
If you use my referral link, you get $10 off your first order!
KATI® Steeping Cup & Infuser
Loose Leaf tea assortments
Pyramid tea infusers
There are a lot of reading journals out there, but I love The Reading Journal by Kunitsa Co. because of the clean design. I also love that it feels like it was designed by readers because it has a lot of elements that I know readers would love, including reading trackers and places to keep lists such as books to read, books finished, and books you DNFed (Did Not Finish) . I love it!
I also really love how it feels like a bullet journal. I used to love to bullet journal until I got tired of having to draw out my own spreads every week, month, etc. (If you know, you know). I think a bullet journal also works great for a reading journal (yes, I’ve done that, too).
This journal has space for 52 reviews, which will be sufficient for most readers. It also comes in six colors in both linen and leatherette.
If the reader in your life reads more than 52 books in a year, Kunista also makes this one that has space for 104 reviews.
Kunitsa Co. Reading Journal
FEATURES
Pros
- Linen or Leatherette Hardcover
- 52 Book Reviews
- Writing Prompts
- To Be Read List
- Books Finished List
- DNF List
Cons
- List item 1
- List item 2
- List item 3
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Bookish Socks
Not only are socks a fun gift, but they are also the perfect stocking stuffer. (No pun intended 🙂
For the nostalgic book lover who misses card catalogs, library card socks bring back those warm memories of ink stamps and paper cards. Know someone who quotes Pride and Prejudice at every family gathering? Gift them Austen-themed socks. Is your book lover a Mo Willems fan, the “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” are a lot of fun.
There are a lot of options!
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Magnetic or Clip-On Book Marks
I am hooked on magnetic and clip-on bookmarks. I like them for two reasons — they stay in place, and they also help you know where you left off on the page.
Even if you already think the book lover in your life has too many bookmarks, trust me when I say they will love these.
Here are two options that I like: the magnetic bookmarks by i-clips and what Levenger calls its page nibs. These are great if you want to mark several spots in a book. These are even great for library books because they won’t leave a mark on a book.
i-clips Magnetic Page Markers
Levenger Page Nibs
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Note-Taking Bookmarks
I love these note-taking bookmarks that Levenger makes. They allow readers to keep their place while also being able to write down notes. As someone who loves to take notes while I read, I love these.
And you actually have several to choose from:
- Vintage Library Bookmark Cards
- Bookmark Tents
- Book Note Bookmark Cards
- Project Planner Bookmarks
- Bookmark Cards Ruled/Grid
Vintage library Bookmark Cards
Bookmark Tent Bookmark cards
Book note bookmark cards
Project planner bookmarks
Bookmark Cards RuleD/Grid
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Leather(ish) Bookmarks
Christmas is a time to splurge on our loved ones, and if your loved one is a book lover, then I promise you they would love one of these bookmarks. Here are some features of these bookmarks that make them extra fancy:
- They are printed on both sides. How cool is that??
- They are made with Levenger’s LevTex leather alternative, so they feel like leather.
- They are beautiful!
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Bookish Pens
I love these beautiful bookish pens. I also love how they come in their own matching tube boxes that also double as a pen stand. These pens were designed by Retro 51 for Levenger.
Retro 51 Tornado Library Exclusive Rollerball Pen
Retro 51 Tornado Exclusive Book Shop Rollerball Pen
Retro 51 Tornado Emily Dickinson Rollerball Pen
Retro 51 A.A. Milne Winnie-the-Pooh Rollerball Pen
Retro 51 Tornado Ghost of Christmas Future Rollerball
Retro 51 Alice in Wonderland Rollerball Pen
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Bookish Mugs
Too many mugs are up there with too many books or bookmarks — you can never have enough.
There are so many bookish mugs out there, but these are my personal favorites. Here is what’s included:
- Literary Women Mug: Includes books by Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Virginia Wolf, and more.
- Agatha Christie Mugs: If someone in your life is an Agatha Christie fan, these are perfect. There are two options: one featuring Murder on the Orient Express and And Then There Were None.
- Rifle Paper Book Mug: This is a beautiful mug designed by the people over at Rifle Paper that features images of books from classic literature.
- Whimsical Mugs for Readers: These are perfect for those who are always asking for Just One More Chapter and the Booktroverts in your life.
- Customizable Book Mug: The creators over on Etsy will also make a custom personalized mug where you can feature your loved one’s favorite books. How cool is that! (There are a lot of options over on Etsy. Check them out here.)
Literary Women Mug
Agatha Christie mugs
Rifle paper Book Mug
Just One more chapter mug by MS clothes designs
Booktrovert mug by Soft Launch
classic book mugs by Crooked Quill
I think this mug is so unique that it deserves its own section.
What makes this bookish mug from Uncommon Goods especially cool is that one of the book images on the mug includes a QR code. Every day, you scan the QR code and get a new literary quote from authors such as Charles Dickens, W.E.B. DuBois, Jane Austen, and more. How fun is that!
Watch this video to see how it works:
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Book Ends
Beautiful book ends are another gift idea that will delight the reader in your life. There are a lot to choose from, but these are the ones that stood out to me. Here are more options if you don’t like the ones I chose:
book lovers book ends
hand carved book ends by Wooden Heart Buttons
Cast iron bookends
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Bookish Christmas Ornaments
I do not have a Christmas tree that looks like it was designed by Martha Stewart. My tree is full of ornaments that reflect hobbies and memories. If that sounds like the book lover in your life, they will love one of these book-themed and unique Christmas ornaments.
Vintage library Bookmark Cards by Christine Ire
Custom Miniature Book Ornament by Megs Comfort Creations
Jane Austen Christmas Ornament by Universal Zone
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Wooden Bookish Puzzles
If you have someone in your life who loves books and puzzles, these puzzles by Wentworth Puzzles are next level because they are made of wood. They are beautiful. Wentworth also incorporates unique shapes into their puzzles.
Here’s an example:
Wentworth doesn’t only make book theme puzzles, but these bookish puzzles are my personal faves:
All the Books PUzzle
Books & Coffee Puzzle
Once Upon a bookshop puzzle
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Functional Clothing for Readers
I didn’t even know that functional clothing items for readers was a thing until I saw these. But as soon as I saw them, I thought, “Of course. These are genius.”
Especially if you or the book lover in your life likes to carry books around with you.
Levenger offers two functional clothing items that are perfect for winter reading. They are beautiful clothing items on their own:
Cozy Reader’s Wrap
Reader’s Book Scarf
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Bomber Jacket Leather BookMate
A bomber jacket for my books? Yes, please.
This is another item that’s perfect for someone who carries their books around with them a lot — they definitely need a bomber jacket for their books.
The large pocket is large enough to hold a book, but some people use it to hold their Kindle or tablet. They say it’s especially helpful for traveling because it protects their books from damage, and they can keep their earbuds in it, too.
These bookmates also come with a leather bookmark and a set of 50 copper page nibs.
Black is On sale!
Red is the new color!
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Audible Subscription
If you or someone in your family has been wanting to try Audible, this is the perfect time to check it out because Audible has a great deal going on right now until December 31. You pay $.99 for the first three months. The price then goes up to $14.95 after that.
If someone is already an Audible Member, you can also gift them new credits (i.e. new books). This would also be the way to go to gift someone a membership who is not in your family.
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Libro.FM Subscription
If someone in your life loves audiobooks and likes to support local independent bookstores, they might enjoy a Libro.fm subscription.
When someone signs up for a Libro.fm subscription, they pick a local independent bookstore that benefits from their membership and purchases.
I use both Audible and Libro.fm, and I like them for different reasons. (Someday I’ll do a full comparison of all of the audiobook platforms.)
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Blind Date With a Book Box
If you can’t decide from all of the options above, you can’t go wrong with one of these Blind Date With a Book Boxes. And you have a lot to choose from.
What is a Blind Date With a Book Box? Most of the time, a Blind Date with a Book Box is where a customer receives a wrapped book without knowing the title in advance. These book boxes can be subscriptions services and one-time purchases. They also typically allow you to choose things such as: book genre and theme (such as Christmas, birthday, dog lover, etc.).
But what you get in the box can vary. Here are some of the variations you may see:
- A box with the book only
- A box with a book plus fun items such as book marks, socks, a mug, stickers, snacks, and more.
- A book lover’s box that includes fun reading accoutremounts BUT NOT a book.
You will see all variations below. While prices vary , I recommend paying attention the additional items you receive and the quality of those items.
Hygge blind date with book by Books by the Dozen
Book lover’s box – NO Book by Sweet Tomorrow Co
Book only
BoOk + goodies no box by cute book corner
Choose Genre + Theme by Beyond The Trope
Book subscription Box by Book Brews
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The Book Lover’s Reading Challenge
If there’s one thing that we readers love to do, it’s to gamify reading. And we love reading challenges because they motivate us to read those books we’ve been wanting to read anyway. That’s what makes this Book Lover’s Reading Challenge so much fun.
This Ultimate Reading Challenge includes the following:
- 25 challenges that can be completed in any order and within any time frame.
- Prizes every time a challenge is completed. (How fun is that!)
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Book Stamps & Embossers
This is another special gift you or the book lover in your life will love — a way to personalize their books. Here are a couple of options — a book stamp or an embosser.
Custom Book Stamp by Pascal Sock Design
Custom Book embosser by Susan crafts Shop
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Book Art
Another fun gift that will delight the book lover in your life is book-inspired art. There is book art that features famous literary quotes, vintage book covers, and even customizable print art. I think these are beautiful.
Famous Book Quotes Print Art by Obvious State
Custom Book Stack Print Art by The Reading Nook Shop
Book Lover Gallery Wall by The World Gallery
Vintage Book Cover Art by bimini prints vintage
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Rotating Bookshelf
I love this rotating bookshelf, especially for those who have limited space. I also loves that it sits on a lazy Susan. This bookshelf tower is also available in multiple tiers. The 2-tier version looks like it could also double as an end-table.
If you are looking for a space-saving bookshelf or you just want a clever way to display your books, definitely check out this rotating bookshelf tower.
Rotating Bookshelf Tower
FEATURES
Pros
- Holds lots of books in small space
- Available in 2, 3, 4 & 5 Tiers
- Easy to Assemble
- Bookshelf Lazy Susan
Cons
- List item 1
- List item 2
- List item 3
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Bookish Jewelry
Another one of my favorite finds is this fun book-inspired jewelry. Here are some bracelet, necklace, and earing options.
Famous Book Quotes Print Art by BlayAtelier
Book + Initial Bracelet by YouLoveYoushop
Book Charm Necklace by TinyBookTown
Miniature Book Earrings by BabeandBubBoutique
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Reader’s Toolbox
This is another one my faves. How cool is this! I am someone who always has a book, a Kindle, a journal with me. I love that this reader’s toolbox has room for it all. I also love that there’s a special spot for pens and pencils.
I love to read with a pencil in hand, and I love that this ensures that I have everything thing I need within reach. I also love the adjustable slots that can be used for glasses, bookmarks, and whatever else you like to have on hand when you’re reading. So cool!
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Wooden Book Page Holder
Do you ever want to set your book down for a minute, but you don’t want to lose your spot? One of these wooden book holders is definitely the answer. Some of them also have a place to keep your phone, glasses, mugs, and more.
These are great for keeping next to your favorite reading chair or on your nightstand.
There are several out there, but these are my favorites.
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Juniper Books Collector Editions
Something that could make a really special gift for a book lover is a collector’s edition of their favorite book series. Juniper makes versions that include the books, but they also sell the dust jackets separately.
Juniper Books makes more than the ones featured below. You can find their full collection in the Juniper Books Amazon Store.
The Lord of the rings
Harry potter
Outlander series
Jane austen collection
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Bookish Candles
Complete the reading ambiance with one of these fun literary-themed candles.
Library candle by Corduroy Lane
Bookworm candle by Anchored Northwest
Mr Darcy candle by Waffles-n- Fairy lights
The shire Candle by Simply Lit Candle
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And . . . Gift Cards
If all else fails, you can’t go wrong with a gift card.
Happy Shopping! If you have any questions about anything on this list, please don’t hesitate to reach out by dropping a comment below.
