We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we believe in. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
Shopping for a bookworm? These are the best gifts for book lovers this season
If you’re shopping for an avid reader, the obvious choice is to simply buy them more books, but it’s hard to know what they’ll enjoy—and what they’ve already read. The good news is that there are plenty of other great gifts for book lovers that are sure to please any bibliophile, no matter their preferred genre or the size of their personal library.
We’ve put together a list of the best gifts for book lovers that you can buy this year, including everything from the newly released Kindle e-reader to stylish bookmarks and book-themed home accessories. There are options at every price point, and no matter what you choose, it’s sure to be a hit with your favorite bookworm.
Sometimes “one more chapter” can find you reading late into the night, and this handy book light will make sure book lovers don’t miss a word of their latest novel. The rechargeable light sits around your neck as you read, and there are LEDs on both ends that can be angled toward your book or e-reader. The gadget offers three light hues and six brightness levels, and it delivers a narrow field of light that won’t bother a partner when you’re reading in bed.
If your favorite reader is hard to shop for, you can’t go wrong with this book-themed coffee mug from Rifle Paper Co. The porcelain cup is big enough to hold 16 ounces of coffee or tea, and the exterior is decorated to look like a book shelf, featuring classic titles like The Secret Garden and Little Women. The mug has a gilded rim and handle for a little extra pizazz, and it’s every bit as functional as it is pretty.
Book lovers generally fall into two categories: those who love physical books, and those who prefer the convenience of e-readers. If you’re shopping for someone in the latter group, you can’t go wrong gifting them the latest version of Amazon’s popular Kindle Paperwhite.
Just released this year, the new Paperwhite has a 7-inch glare-free screen that makes it easy to read anywhere, even outdoors, and it’s much faster than previous versions, allowing you to turn pages quickly. Plus, it offers up to 12 weeks of battery life, so they can read for longer between charges.
For those who like to collect physical copies of books, Book of the Month is a wonderful gift. This subscription service will send a fun new book to their doorstep every month, and there are five different books to choose from in each delivery, ensuring they always receive a title they’ll enjoy. There are a variety of genres to choose from, and the brand makes it easy to give a three-, six-, or 12-month membership. You can even have the gift delivered via email, so it’s a particularly convenient option for loved ones who live far away.
Who doesn’t love a fun advent calendar to countdown to Christmas? This Book Lover’s Advent Calendar is filled with little surprises for readers, including items like magnetic bookmarks, stickers, ornaments, and pencils. The calendar includes 25 little pockets—one for each day in December—and the packaging is just as beautiful as the contents. Just be sure to order this one early to make sure it arrives before December 1.
It can be tiring to hold an e-reader for long reading sessions, but the Strapsicle holder can help prevent hand cramps. Each set comes with two silicone straps that crisscross on the back on an e-reader, providing extra support to help hold up a Kindle or other reading device. The straps come in a wide variety of colors, and they’re easy to take on and off as needed. It would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who has an e-reader!
The Book Nook Reading Valet is the perfect all-in-one storage spot for book lovers. Crafted from acacia wood, the tray has a triangular ledge where they can rest their book—without losing their page. It also features handy slots for reading glasses and a mug, and most smartphones fit perfectly inside the triangular portion, keeping it within arms reach. It’s the perfect addition to a bedside table or reading nook, and the wood even features an engraving that reads, “Save my spot!”
This unique clock would be a great addition to any reader’s home or office space. Instead of displaying the time using numbers, the Author Clock shows book quotes that feature the current time—so at 2:03, it might have a quote that says, “It was only two minutes past three, but I seemed to have lived hours in that two minutes,” which is from An Orkney Maid by Amelia E. Barr. Cool, right?
The quote on the clock changes every minute, and there are thousands of quotes in the clock’s repertoire, taken from books published over the last 600 years. The clock can be personalized with different fonts, and it can be displayed anywhere—including a bookshelf—as it runs on a rechargeable battery.
There’s no such thing as too many bookmarks, and these ones are particularly stylish. The Fairytale Bookmarks come in a set of two, and they arrive in a decorative box that’s ideal for gifting. The set includes a faux leather bookmark that’s embossed with a book-related quote, as well as an ornate metal bookmark. There are two color options to choose from, and the set are sure to become go-to options in any reader’s bookmark collection.
It’s impossible to perfectly replicate the soothing smell of a library, but this candle comes pretty close. The Byredo Bibliotheque Candle is the perfect addition to any reading nook (as long as it’s kept away from precious paperbacks). It has a velvety scent that includes base notes of leather, patchouli, and vanilla, with lighter top notes of peach, plum, and violet. The candle comes in two sizes, and its simple black vessel will match the decor in any room.
At first glance, it might look like a regular throw blanket with a pretty design, but when you look closer, you’ll see that these blankets from Litographs are much more detailed. The motif on each blanket is made up of quotes from iconic books—this one is inspired by Pride and Prejudice, but the brand has hundreds of titles to choose from, including classic novels and more contemporary titles, too. The intricacy is sure to please even the most discerning readers, and the designs are extra-comfy, too, thanks to their cozy sherpa fabric.
The Book Seat is a must-have accessory for readers who like to take their novels on the go. It’s a triangle-shaped bean bag that’s designed to prop up a book, and it has a built-in page holder, as well as a carrying handle and pocket on the bag for accessories. It’s perfect for reading in bed, outside, or even in the car, and it prevents strain on your wrists from holding a book for too long. The Book Seat comes in several colors, and it can even be used to hold up an iPad or other tablet.
If you’re shopping for a book lover who also dabbles in jigsaw puzzles, this one combines their two hobbies flawlessly. The 1,000-piece design from White Mountain Puzzles showcases a sprawling library, featuring floor-to-ceiling bookcases, an ornate staircase, and even a cute napping cat. The puzzle, which is aptly named “Reader’s Paradise,” is 24 by 30 inches when assembled, and the design is intricate enough that it will take your giftee a while to finish.
This beautiful journal will help avid readers keep track of all the titles they’ve completed. It’s divided into three sections: A book tracker for current and future reads, a book log for more in-depth reviews, and a monthly wrap-up section where they can note their favorite titles throughout the year. The 120-page journal also has other fun inclusions, such as a reading challenge and “year in review” page, and the exterior is stunning, featuring a linen cover with gold foil accents.
It may look like a book, but this ceramic design doesn’t belong on a bookshelf! The Bibliophile Ceramic Vase makes for a charming piece of decor. It can be used to hold kitchen utensils, fresh flowers, or even pens, and the exterior has a colorful, intricate design that resembles the cover of a book. The vase comes in three sizes, each of which has a unique cover, and you can give just one or the whole set to your favorite bookworm.
If you know someone who buys books every time they travel, this baseball hat was made from them. The green cap is embroidered with the phrase, "Où est la librarie?" In French, it translates to, “Where is the bookstore?” So fitting for a book lover! The hat is made from comfortable cotton fabric with an adjustable buckle in the back, and it’s sure to earn ample compliments from other readers.
Readers can turn their personal library into, well, a personal library with the help of this cool kit. It includes everything they need to install old-fashioned book checkout cards into their favorite novels, including self-adhesive pockets for the inner cover, classic library checkout cards, a date stamp, and an ink pad. When they lend out books, they’ll be able to keep track of who borrowed each title, and it’s also an effective way to make sure all their precious books are returned in a timely manner.
If you know your giftee’s favorite author, you might be able to find a signed copy of one of their books for an extra-special present. Barnes & Noble has a whole section of signed books on its website, including a wide range of genres, from fantasy to cookbooks and everything in between. This particular product is a novel from romance author Emily Henry, and it’s hand-signed by the author. Just be sure to act fast if you see a good title, as most are limited edition and may sell out fast.
This special advent calendar includes 12 individually wrapped books that can be opened each day leading up to Christmas. You can choose from a variety of genres, including romance, horror, historical fiction, young adult, and more, and each set will include unique titles that arrive beautifully packed in brown paper with wax seals. Just keep in mind that the books aren’t always in new condition—they’re thrifted, so they may be gently used.
This cheery mug is sure to put a smile on your recipient’s face every time they use it. The ceramic mug holds 12 ounces of their favorite beverage—perfect for a late-night reading session with a cup of tea—and it reads “Book Person” in colorful letters. There’s also a smiley face on the inside of the lip. Plus, the mug is both dishwasher- and microwave-safe, making it easy to care for.
If you're looking for any shopping advice, drop us a line at shopping.editors@aol.com and our Shopping Editors will be in touch!