Gift guides abound this time of year, and I’m far from an expert in gift-giving. However, I am a library card-carrying audio book-listening book enthusiast, so I will happily provide some suggestions of gifts for other book-lovers.
Here’s a gift guide for book lovers, filled with ideas big and small for the reader in your life.
Soft Blanket and Candle
I don’t know any readers who don’t want to make their reading space more cozy, especially this time of year. I have and love this blanket from Nordstrom, which comes in several colors. For candles, the sky is the limit; you can shop your favorite local store or keep it simple with a delicious, yet inexpensive candle from Target or Walmart (I love this one, it smells like a toasted marshmallow!)
Audiobook Subscription
An audiobook subscription is the perfect gift to give the reader who buys or borrows all the books she wants. I love Libro.fm because they have an amazing selection of audiobooks, plus they partner with independent bookstores so you can feel good about where your money is going. You can choose to give a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month membership, and you (or the recipient) can even choose the bookstore that you would like a portion of the purchases to go toward. I gifted myself a subscription last year!
Pretty Bookmark
Readers always love having a pretty bookmark to mark their place. These resin ones that can be personalized are gorgeous, and this set of feminist bookmarks would make a fun gift as well. If you know their favorite book or reading taste, you can search Etsy for bookmarks specific to that; there are Harry Potter bookmarks, true crime/thriller-themed versions, and everything in between.
Bookish Sweatshirt or Tote Bag
Most readers I know would love a cozy sweatshirt, especially if it has a good quote or phrase on it. I’m a big fan of Inkwell Threads. I have this Reading is Fun Sweatshirt and love it, but they have lots of other options to choose from as well. A tote bag to carry their books is always a good gift. I use my Read Books and Fight the Patriarchy Tote for every library visit (it holds a LOT of books!), but a classic cotton tote is always a good choice as well.
Book Shop Gift Card
This is kind of a no-brainer, but believe me, it’s never a bad idea! Try a gift card from Bookshop.org, which will help support independent bookstores. If you know there’s a local bookstore where she likes to shop, getting a gift card to that place (and maybe a cute bookmark to go with it) would make a wonderful, thoughtful gift.
Journal and Nice Pens
It’s not always the case, but book people are often people who appreciate nice office supplies. (It’s certainly accurate for me!) A nice dotted or lined journal is practical and useful, yet often something people don’t buy for themselves. Add in some fun pens too!
A Book Subscription
Finally, if you want to give something that’s more personal than a gift card, yet you’re not sure about choosing which books they would like, try a book subscription! There are so many to choose from right now. Book of the Month has been around for a long time, but Page 1 is another subscription option that is really tailored to the reader. Some book stores have book subscription options as well, like this Shelf Subscription from The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia (one I would love to try!).
I hope this gift guide gives you some good ideas for the reader in your life! What would you add to this list?
