Blog – Posted on Tuesday, Nov 26
60 of the Best Gifts for Book Lovers That Aren't Books
The best gift for book lovers are, well, books. Right?
Well, yes, all bibliophiles can attest to that joyful moment of being handed a wrapped parcel, and instantly noting the familiar feel of the solid book cover, and the weight of the many bound pages. Of course, there’s also the excitement of tearing away the wrapping paper and discovering the newest addition to your bookshelf within.
That being said, there’s a whole world of book-related gifts out there that is sure to spark the same amount of joy in the bibliophiles in your life — and that will likely surprise them more than a book!
Below is a list of gifts sure to thrill that friend or family member who’s always got a book in their bag, who uses their library card so often they've had to replace it several times, and who might as well get the words “the book was better” as a tattoo.
(Please note that the listed price of each gift is accurate at the time of writing, however, they may change after this post is published. So make sure you double check the price on the actual seller website before placing any orders.)
Gifts Under $10 for Book Lovers
“My Girl Gang is a Book Club” Vinyl Sticker
Bonding over books is a proud literary tradition, and now you and your friends can display your solidarity with pride. Plus, they’re affordable enough that you can buy one for every member of your own girl gang. (Prefer buttons to stickers? They’ve got those, too!)
Bookmark Bundle
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a reader in possession of a sufficiently large library, must be in want of a bookmark. These beautiful bookmarks, decorated with literary quotes, come in packs of 5, 10, and 35, so your book lover will never need to dog-ear a page again.
Banned Books Matchbox Set
What do Slaughterhouse-Five, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Black Beauty, Fahrenheit 451, and Song of Solomon all have in common? They were all banned at one point or another in the United States. They’ve also all been turned into a cheeky set of matchboxes sure to delight the book lovers in your life. What’s more: each purchase of this set helps fund literacy programs and book donations to communities in need.
Library Card Socks
As everyone’s favorite aardvark declared, “Having fun isn’t hard, when you’ve got a library card!” And we can assure you there is plenty more fun to be had when you deck your feet out in these library card socks.
Jane Austen’s Finest Balm
It’s surely terrible manners to show up for an important engagement with lips so parched as these — especially if one might expect a show of affection. Turn all your stolen kisses buttery smooth with this fine balm
$3.95 on The Unemployed Philosophers Guild or $5.25 on Amazon
Fred Finger Print Handy Bookmark
While the debate about whether or not it's ever acceptable to dog-ear books is contentious, it's universally annoying when you’re forced to stop reading a book mid-page (or mid-sentence — the horror!), and then have to struggle to find your place when you return. Well, this helpful bookmark is here to point out the exact word you ended on, so you can start right where you left off.
Clothing/Accessories for Book Lovers
Book-Inspired Phone Cases
Unfortunately, these days, we’re far more often looking at our phone than the pages of a book. If this thought gets you down, the good news is you can make your phone look like a book with one of these literary phone cases! The front flap of the case features classic book covers, and while it can’t compare to the thrill of flipping open your favorite book, it’s a stylish alternative.
Vintage Book Locket Charms
Many of us wear our heart on our sleeve. Now, the book lovers you hold near and dear can also wear their favorite books around their necks. These charming little lockets come decked out in the book covers of several literary classics: The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Jungle Book, and A Little Princess.
Books and Cats T-Shirt
The story on this shirt may be short, but the love is endless. Celebrate everybody’s favorite reading companion — just try not to get too much cat hair on it.
Book Hangover Sweater
As this sweater defines, a book hangover is: “1) The inability to start a new book because you are still living in the last book’s world, 2) The inability to function at work/school because you were up all night binge-reading.” Likely, the person you gift this sweater to will relate only too well.
The Raven Book Scarf
No longer ponder, weak and weary, what will make your bookworm cheery; // The answer that you sought before, ‘tis knocking on your bedroom door // For what what once a holiday chore, a task that left your wallet sore, // Has now become a thing of yore, and whispers to you: Nevermore.
Litographs T-Shirt
Litograph soft T’s are truly a gem. They create whitespace images from popular books by covering the shirt with actual text from each book, such as The Little Prince above. Not only are there countless books to choose from, there are also tons of personalization options available. For instance, the print on this shirt can be green, black, brown, red, or purple. The neckline can be V or scoop. You can even choose the text’s font!
Lord of the Rings Classic Flats
One gift to rule them all. Sometimes we all need is an escape, and that’s exactly what your book lover will get when they slip these on. Warning: not suited for traipsing after orcs. Still, these flats make the perfect gift for any member of your fellowship.
Moby Dick Wallet
For anyone seeking the white whale of gifts, your long journey is finally over. With plenty of space to hold all your cards and cash, this handmade, faux leather wallet is sure to satisfy even the most stubbornly elusive book lover on your list.
Jane Austen Tote Bag
What better gift for a book lover, than a way to carry even more books? This stylish bag, emblazoned with a quote from everyone’s favorite author, is sturdy, functional, and fun. We won’t say it’s anywhere near big enough to hold all of your books (you’d surely need a TARDIS for that!), but it will let you carry enough to get you through your day. Probably.
Ancient Books Watch
For some people, you need a gift that’s timeless, and what’s a more classic, stately gift than a watch? Just about the only way to make it more respectable is to pair it with old leather books, which is exactly what this watch does. With a watch like this, your book lover is sure to blend in at any esteemed library, and will still be able to arrive on time for their next appointment with a good book.
Food and Drink Gifts for Book Lovers
Literary Teas
Let’s face it, books and a warm mug of your favorite beverage go together like Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. So why not take it to the next level? These loose-leaf teas come branded with all your favorite authors, in blends specially made to suit their literary themes.
Literary Fortune Cookies
Fortune cookies are not only delicious, they’re exciting because of the element of surprise. Who knows what nugget of advice, motivation, or counsel will be proffered from within its sweet, crunchy shell. Well, these fortune cookies offer all the same delights of a standard fortune cookie — with the added fun that each slip of paper within contains a quote from a literary great. For example, Oscar Wilde might advise, “One should always be a little improbable.” While Jane Austen might encourage, “Indulge your imagination in every possible flight.”
Mug by MugsOnMain
You heard the mug: Happiness is a cup of coffee and a really good book. The book lover you’re buying for has definitely already got the books. The only thing they’re missing is this mug to make the package really complete.
Turkish Delight
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe made Turkish Delight sound absolutely drool-worthy. And reading about them in C. S. Lewis’ classic book is as close to these candies as many of us have ever gotten. And yes, in the story they’re a symbol of things best not longed for, but that doesn’t mean we weren’t desperate to try them anyway. Now you can finally settle your book lover’s long-standing curiosity, and answer that burning question: just what is Turkish Delight, anyway?
Classic Winnie the Pooh Shortbread Cookies
Long before he was the star of the screen, Winnie the Pooh was a humble bear from the pages of a most beloved children’s book. Celebrate his literary origins and recall simpler days of childhood while munching on these adorable cookies. Just be sure not to get any crumbs on the pages!
Book Lover Wine Glass Charms
Add a book-ish touch to any social gathering with these hypoallergenic, silver-plated wine charms.
Shakespearmints
Sometimes you need a sonnet to express your love for someone, and sometimes all it takes is a mint. This delightful tin is perfect for anyone who likes the Bard, puns, and fresh breath (so everyone, really).
$3.50 on The Unemployed Philosophers Guild or $4.95 on Amazon
Gifts for Organizing Books
To-Be-Read Jar
Much more than a decorative item, the TBR Jar is the indecisive book lover’s dream come true. Each jar comes personalized with 100 book titles folded into adorable origami stars. Hop on their GoodReads account, or fill the jar with recommendations, and they’ll never struggle over what to read next again.
Book Sleeves
What does every book lover need? A way to protect their precious books, of course! These sturdy sleeves come in a variety of adorable patterns, so you’re sure to find one that your own bookworm will love.
RÅSKOG Rolling Cart
If you’ve been on “bookstagram” at all in the past year or so, you’ve probably seen this cart. It’s become quite popular for housing people’s “to be read” stacks in a way that’s convenient, organized, and super cute.
Personal Library Kit
All book lovers know the awful feeling: you go to your bookshelf, only to realize the book you wanted isn’t there. You check all of the places it might be, and maybe even tear your house apart in the process. Finally, the lightbulb above your head flickers on: you lent the book to a friend. But which friend? And how long ago? Do you now need to send out a mass email to every person you know?
A personal library kit, like this one from Knock Knock, is the solution to this scenario. Use the kit to keep track of the beloved books you share with friends with peace of mind — and in style!
MyGift Solid Wood Bookends
There is a big world of bookends out there. Any kind of bookend you can imagine probably already exists. You want to make sure you get something your book lover will like — after all, they are the items that will hold their precious books together. If you know that bookends are on your book lover’s wish list but aren’t exactly sure what kind to get them, wood is always a solid bet. Wood goes with pretty much anything, and at the end of the day, it's the very material that books are made of — so it makes a kind of poetic sense.
Games to Gift Book Lovers
Clue Linen Book Vintage Edition Board Game
The classic mystery game for the mystery lover in your life — now 100% more bookish! This edition contains the game we all know and love, but is boxed so that your bookworm can slide it onto their shelves right next to their favorite Agatha Christie novel.
Lit Chat: Conversation Starters about Books and Life
While this isn’t a game you can win, it is a ton of fun. Created by Book Riot, it supplies 100 reading-themed questions. For instance: “If you could live in any house within a work of literature, what would it be?” Or, “Have you ever done something inspired by a book?” And, “Do you still read books meant for children or young adults? Why or why not?”
Papercuts: A Party Game for the Rude and Well-Read
Most of us have played — or at least heard of — the raunchy card game, Cards Against Humanity (or the less R-rated version, Apples to Apples). Both games follow a straightforward rule: a reader picks up a black card containing a question or fill-in-the-blank statement. The other players in the game then need to choose from one of the eight cards in their hand to answer the question or fill in the blank. They anonymously give their chosen card to the reader, who then reads them all aloud picks their favorite card as winner.
Papercuts follows the same rules, but with a literary spin! Just one example of a question card is, “What is Stephen King afraid of?” while one of the answer cards reads, “Haruki Murakami’s running shoes.”
Christmas at Hogwarts Puzzle
This gift just combines so many wonderful things. Is there anything better than cozying up with loved ones to put together a puzzle over the holidays? Is there anything more magical than Christmas at Hogwarts? Put that all together and you’ve got a truly heartwarming gift.
Magnetic Poetry for Book Lovers
This one is a bit of a mix of game and decor. The box comes with over 200 printed words on magnets, and the idea is for you to rearrange them on your fridge to create poetry. This kit is specifically for book lovers, and comes with words like “villain” and “hero.” We’re putting it in the games section because once you get started, you will be having far too much fun to stop.
Book-Inspired Decor for Book Lovers
Shakespeare Quote Print
Have you ever read a book and come across a line that just touched you at your core? Or maybe it was so lilting and lyrical, sometimes you just say it because of how pretty it sounds. Perhaps it’s a line that motivates you to chase your dreams. Whatever the case, if the book lover in your life has a favorite literary quote, these handmade prints are sure to bring them joy.
Bookstore Scented Candle
What’s almost as good as a book itself? The smell of books! This handmade candle will set the mood perfectly, giving you that comforting scent even when you’re reading on your Kindle. (There’s a wide variety of other bookish scents available, too, so be sure to pick your favorite!)
Poster of Heroic Girls in Books
As the product description says, “Ignite heroism in a young girl with this poster featuring inspiring characters from young adult novels.” Characters include: Anne from Anne of Green Gables, Maleeka from The Skin I’m In, Poni from Lost Girl Found, and Stella from Stella by Starlight.
This is a gift you can feel good about through and through as all the posters are made from recycled paper!
Ideal Bookshelf Art
There’s an indisputable feeling of pride and joy that comes with glancing at your well-stocked bookshelves. Some might enjoy this feeling so much, they long for this beloved view in every room of their house. Well, if a stocked library in your bathroom and kitchen don’t feel like a feasible option, a painting of a well-lined bookshelf is an excellent alternative. These colorful illustrations by Jane Mount are sure to add charm wherever they are placed.
100 Books Scratch Off Poster
In our opinion, one of the biggest draws of creating a to-do list is the satisfaction that comes with marking a task as “complete.” It’s also part of the joy of the recently trending scratch maps — it’s gratifying to visually keep track of your accomplishments. If you agree, and you think your giftee agrees, this poster is a gift that’s sure to delight. From contemporary novels like American Psycho and The Hunger Games, to age-old classics like Alice in Wonderland, the poster will send you on a reading journey. As you go through, use a coin to scratch off each title and reveal the literary artwork underneath.
$15 on Uncommon Goods and Amazon
Reading Can Take You Places Floor Pillow
Every book lover needs someplace comfortable to sit while going to the many fantastical places their books will take them. What better place than the luxury of a pillow? Travel to far-off lands and have untold adventures, all without ever leaving the safety of your couch.
Literary Setting Candles
Earlier we mentioned a candle that smells like a book — lighting it will surely transport you to the feeling of curling up with your favorite novel. These candles, on the other hand, are meant to make you feel like you are literally in the world of a novel. Each one is scented to smell like a famous literary setting, like the tea party in Alice in Wonderland, 221 B Baker Street from the Sherlock Holmes series, Pemberley from Pride and Prejudice, or Thornfield from Jane Eyre.
Literary Linen Tea Towel
Whether or not your giftee uses this as an actual tea towel or decides to frame it and hang it (as other Etsy customers have), is up to them! What’s undoubtable is that their kitchen or wall is about to get a lot more literary.
Bibliophilia: 100 Literary Postcards
Each of these 100 postcards boast a unique and bold graphic interpretation of literary quotes. Your giftee can use them as wall art or, of course, as snail mail to their own loved ones — who knows, maybe you’ll end up receiving one!
Litographs Blankets
We mentioned the Litograph t-shirts earlier, but we couldn’t resist also mentioning their blanket, which follows the same style. What we love about these is they’re not just a novelty item — they’re highly functional too. The front of the blanket is printed with the text of a book, but the reverse side is covered with sherpa fleece, which means it’ll actually keep you warm and cozy.
Heroine Bookshelf
If there’s one thing every book lover always needs, it’s more space to store their books. Be the hero of your book lover’s holiday season with this Heroine Bookshelf. It attaches directly to the wall, so there’s not even a need to find extra floor space (leaving it open, of course, for more piles of books).
Reading Aids for the Bibliophiles in Your Life
Bookmark/Weight-Page Holder
While reading is one of those tasks that blissfully don’t allow for much mental multi-tasking, you might want to read while eating lunch or keep a cookbook open while you’re cooking. This weight page-holder will you to get lost in fictional words, totally hands-free.
Binge Reading Kit
Technically, all you really need for a binge-reading session is a book you can’t put down. But for the most peaceful and uninterrupted binge-reading session possible, there are a few provisions you might want to have in place beforehand. This case has got you covered with all the essentials, including: a microfiber cloth, decision coin, three bookmarks, ear plugs, lip balm, hand lotion, two coasters, facial tissues, a reading light, facial cleansing towelette, and a thumb page holder.
Van Gogh-Inspired Infiland Case for Kindle Paperwhite
Kindles make such a great option for readers because of the portability factor. So it kind of defeats the purpose to slap a heavy case on it. Clocking in at 0.22 lbs, this case is both protective and lightweight. Also, look how pretty!
Elledge Bath Caddy
Have you ever bought a present for someone, only to find you suddenly want to keep it for yourself? This gift might present you with that very conundrum, because who doesn’t want to make a soak in the tub one hundred times better with a bath caddy that lets you read all the while? Even the staunchest showerers might find themselves looking at bathtubs with a whole new appreciation.
Vekkia Reading Light
Some reading lights come in cute pastel colors. Other are stylishly embossed. This one has over 3,200 5-star reviews on Amazon. It might look basic, but it clearly does the trick: it provides you light with which to read. What more do you need?
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Of course, what every reader really needs is a little peace and quiet. Which is exactly what you’ll gift them with this pair of noise-canceling headphones. Whether they’re listening to some light background music, or ambient library sounds, a good pair of headphones is sure to transport them to all the far-off lands they’re reading about.
Kindle Paperwhite
Perhaps the book lover in your life is looking to make the transition from hard copies to digital reading. If so, this will be their ultimate gift. And hey, as the image shows, the latest Kindle is actually waterproof, so they can truly read anywhere.
Coffee Table Book Holder
This versatile book holder can be used for anything from turning coffee table books or Christmas books into works of art, to holding up cookbooks for you while you work in the kitchen. The best part is that it will never get old. Tired of looking at one page? Just turn to another. Want a whole new book? You can change that, too.
Book-Inspired Gift for Children
Literary T-Shirts for Kids
One of the best gifts you can give to a child is the freedom to express themselves. And it’s a truth universally acknowledged that wearing a shirt emblazoned with your favorite book is one of the funnest ways of expressing yourself. Out of Print has tons of t-shirts with children’s books for all sorts of ages. Bonus points for the fact that they’re 100% cotton, and that each purchase helps to fund literacy programs and book donations to communities in need.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Play Set
If you give a kid If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, they’re going to ask for a Mouse of their very own. If you give a kid a Mouse, they’re going to ask for a Pig to keep him company. Might as well delight your little reader by buying the whole set in advance. You know you’ll need it.
Otters Magnetic Bookmark
Let’s face it, sometimes it’s so easy to get excited about your book that you might open it up without thinking about what page your on and — oops! — the bookmark falls right out. But not with the help of this pair of delightful otters. They’ll be sure to keep your little one’s place right where they left it, so the adventure can pick back up in an instant.
Bookworm Ornament
Perfect for the holiday season, this ornament will let your little book lover proudly display their personality. Personalize it with their name, the year, and ribbon color, as well as a “boy” or “girl” option, and this ornament is sure to delight.
Sea Creatures Bookplates
The last thing a book lover wants is for their books to get lost. That’s where these come in! These downloadable, printable bookplates offer six whimsical styles to choose from, so that your little reader’s books will never get mixed up again.
Personalized Children’s Books
What could be more delightful to a young reader than a story about themselves? That’s exactly the magic that Wonderbly provides. By submitting just a few details about your child, Wonderbly will print up a unique, personalized book to inspire, amaze, and entrance readers ages 0-12. With gorgeous illustrations, and a wide range of topics and stories to choose from, there’s sure to be something for all the littlest bookworms in your life.
Various pricing from Wonderbly
Goodnight Moon Baby Romper
In the great green room
There was a telephone
And a red balloon
And a picture of -
The cow jumping over the moon
This timeless bedtime story can now be worn by the littlest book lovers as they doze off to sleep. 100% cotton!
My Miniature Library
What’s the best room of any dollhouse? The library, of course! In fact, who needs the whole house? This tiny library comes stocked with 30 miniature books, ready for the smallest readers.
Books to give as gifts
Of course, you can’t call a list of gifts for bibliophiles comprehensive without mentioning at least a couple of books. Here are some of our favorite books that make great gifts — including a few indie titles!
Bibliostyle by Nina Freudenberger and Sadie Stein
If you’ve ever travelled with a book lover, you’ll know that they typically like to visit the libraries of new cities. Well, Bibliostyle will allow them to glimpse the private libraries and bookshelves of bibliophiles the world over — including rooms with rare collections, soaring stacks of books, and floor to ceiling shelves. You could almost call it… #libraryporn?
The Biographies of Ordinary People, Volume 1: 1989-2000 by Nicole Dieker (indie)
Billed as “a Millennial-Era Little Women,” The Biographies of Ordinary People is a timeless look at an ordinary family across decades. Featuring a sister inspired by the women she’s read about (including everyone’s favorite Jo March herself), readers of all stripes are sure to find something of themselves reflected in these pages. It’s the perfect sort of book to read curled up by the fire, a mug of hot tea at one’s elbow.
The Penguin Classics Book by Henry Eliot
As the tagline says: “The Penguin Classics Book is a reader's companion to the largest library of classic literature in the world.” Spanning 4000 years worth of stories — from the legends of Ancient Mesopotamia to the Greek tragedies, and Japanese epics, this book brings worlds of stories to life by providing insight into their histories.
I Really Needed This Today by Hoda Kotb
When Today show co-host Hoda Kotb started posting quotes she found meaningful on her Instagram page, she noticed a pattern in the comments each post received: the phrase, “I really needed this today.” That phrase inspired her to put together a book of quotes and sayings — each one accompanied by her own personal stories of challenges and triumphs. I Really Needed This Today might be a book you read through in one sitting, or it might be the kind of book you turn to when you just need a little boost.
Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist by Tim Federle
This is another book with a tagline too good not to quote: “Even if you don't have a B.A. in English, tonight you're gonna drink like you do!” Tequila Mockingbird is a bestselling cocktail book that includes 65 book-inspired drink recipes and witty commentary on some of literature’s most favorite novels. Expect to find cocktails with names like “The Pitcher of Dorian Grey Goose” and “Are You There, God? It's Me, Margarita.”
Pulp Sonnets: Hardboiled Escapism in Iambic Pentameter by Kate Sherrod (indie)
Shall I compare these to a summer’s day? They are more likely to have temporal anomalies. Inspired by the Bard himself, these pulp stories are vibrant, immersive slices of speculative fiction presented in bite-sized verse. Pulp Sonnets is a concept so delightful, and so flawlessly executed, it makes you wonder why no one’s done it before.
Book Love by Debbie Tung
What better gift for a bibliophile than a book that is all about the wonders of, well, books? In Book Love, Debbie Tung illustrates all the quirks and nuances of what it’s really like to fall in love with books, reading, libraries, and bookstores, and brings the truth of it to life through charming, relatable comics. Your book lover is sure to laugh and smile as they find themselves in these pages.
Goddess of the Hunt by Shelby Eileen (indie)
The heart of many people’s love of books is a love of stories, and what stories are more classic than Greek mythology? This poetry collection examines the life of Artemis, the titular Goddess of the Hunt, as you’ve likely never seen her before. A perfect reminder for all of us to stay true to ourselves, even as we bear the weight of impossible responsibilities.
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Get into the holiday spirit this year with the 50 best Christmas stories of all time! Or maybe there's a writer in your life you're looking to buy a gift for? Check out this list of the 60 best gifts for writers!
