If you’re looking for presents for someone special, SPY is the place to start. We’ve got gift guides for absolutely everyone and every budget, from the best gifts under $100 to a chef-themed gift guide. However, today we want to help you pick out the best gifts for the book lovers on your shopping list.
Ask any book lover and they’ll tell you that getting a book-themed gift is always a plus in their, um, book. For instance, you can keep your word nerd warm in a cozy hoodie or slippers, or you can get gifts that make reading more enjoyable, such as bookmarks, candles or even a Kindle. Chances are you’ll not only find lots of gifts for book lovers here, but also something for yourself, too.
Sit back, pour yourself a cold one, avoid all the madness outside your home and grab the best gifts for book lovers.
1. Stemless Wine Glass
FOR PUN LOVERS
One does not live on books alone. Sometimes one needs wine, too. Stemless glasses don’t tip over and break easily, fit nicely in the palm of one’s hand. Made in the USA, this 17 oz. handblown stemless wineglass features a punny phrase etched into the glass.
2. Forbidden Paper Cotton Eco-Friendly Book-Themed Tote Bag
Reusable tote bags are one of the year’s top gift ideas, and they’re also one of the best gifts for book lovers. They’re a must-have item when visiting the grocery store or shopping anywhere these days. This canvas reusable bag that shows off a love of books and measures 16” by 14”. Roomy enough to take to the Farmer’s Market or anywhere it’s needed. And yes, it can hold lots of books
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3. Mercana Metal Bridge Suspension Decorative Bookends
EDITOR’S PICK
Show off one’s favorite books with this awesome Industrial Chic set of bookends. Weighing in at four pounds, this set of bookends is sturdy and keeps books looking sharp. Regardless of the occasion, decorative bookends are always one of the best gifts for book lovers who love to show off their latest read.
4. ThisWear Bookmarks Are for Quitters Mug
Brighten up morning coffee with the “Bookmarks Are for Quitters” mug. The 11-ounce mug can hold coffee, tea, or anything else. Microwave and dishwasher safe, it comes in a gift box that’s all ready for gifting.
5. Neurons Not Included Jane Austen Books Coaster Set
Keep tabletops safe with this Jane Austen-themed set of six coasters. Each coaster is a faux leather (made from cloth) replica of an early edition of Austen’s novels. The rubber backing on the coasters prevents them from sliding or slipping off surfaces.
6. Verloop Patchwork Block Throw
Book Lovers will take over a couch or chair when they’ve found a good read. Let them snuggle under this cozy throw when they’re doing their thing. Made from repurposed 100% acrylic deadstock yarn, this sustainable blankie can be tossed in the wash. It comes in two colorways: pastel grey and blues (shown), or bright wine and magenta.
7. Noble Objects Voltaire Scented Book Candle
Make an area book cool with a Noble Objects scented candle. This soy wax candle with its woven cotton wick is eco-friendly. Their candles burn for 45 hours, enough time to, according to them, read 1500 pages. Their library scent is a mix of teakwood, cedarwood, patchouli and other plummy scents. Not into satire? Check out candles from the horror, women writers, Russian classics, fairytales, and fundamentals sections. They even have an online library where you can download a book for free.
8. Ora Delphine Leather Bookmark
Never a place will be lost when using this olive leather bookmark from fashion designer Rebecca Lin, the woman behind the Ora Delphine brand. The bookmark also comes in red, black, dark blue, purple and dark grey. Right now, this bookmark is on sale from $185 to $25, so this is a pretty good steal for lovers of the finer things in life. Her line of handbags and accessories, Ora Delphine, is beloved by Jennifer Beals, Heather McDonald, Gabourey Sidibe and other celebs.
9. Out of Print Library Card Unisex Anklets
Be a book nerd from head to toe with this unisex library slip-printed set of anklets. They come in small and large sizes. We don’t have much to say about these socks except this: we really love these freaking socks.
10. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Waterproof
There are many versions of Amazon’s Kindle e-reader. You could say that there’s one for every type of reader. The new waterproof Kindle Paperwhite is the thinnest one, and has a 300ppi glare-free display. Instead of settling for a black case, like with Kindles of yore, this Kindle comes in sage, plum, black or twilight blue. Because it’s waterproof, you don’t have to worry about damaging it if you’re at the beach or in the tub. The Kindle Paperwhite comes in 8 or 3dGB storage. This version comes with Audible already downloaded, so pair the Kindle with headphones and you’re good to go. There’s an ad-free version that’s slightly higher in price ($179.99 for 32GB). Amazon offers a payment plan with all Kindle e-readers.
11. Audible Audiobooks and Podcast Subscription
For book lovers on the go, give them a subscription to Audible. They can listen to their favorite books or podcasts on long commutes, lazy Sundays or even when cleaning the house. Plans start at $7.95 per month after free trial. There aren’t any long-term commitments and it can be canceled anytime. Audible Plus: $7.95 per month: listen all you want to thousands of titles in the Plus Catalog. Audible Premium Plus:$14.95 per month: includes the Plus Catalog + 1 credit per month for any premium selection title. Audible Premium Plus Annual – 12 Credits: $149.50 per year: includes the Plus Catalog + 12 credits a year for any premium selection titles.
12. Savage Son by Jack Carr
GREAT FOR DADS
Perfect gift for dads. Jack Carr is a former SEAL who brings his experiences to the pages of his novels. In his latest book, a former Navy SEAL is being hunted by the Russian Mob. This heart-pounding political thriller is both a New York Times and USA Today instant bestseller. If this book doesn’t sound quite up your dad’s alley, check out our list of the 25 Books All Men Need To Read Before They Die.
13. Gultmee Book Lovers Mask
Be safe and show off one’s love of books with this windproof mask. It has adjustable straps and a nose wire for the perfect fit. The polyester mask has two layers. On the interior side, there’s a pocket for a replaceable filter – it comes with two PM2.5 air filters.
14. Dabihu Book Lover Keychain
An open book charm shares the keyring with larger silver-toned charm emblazoned with a phrase that every book lover has said at least once in their life. “If I can’t take my book, I’m not going.”
15. Skeem Design White tea & Thyme Print Block Candle
Bring the scents of summer in the middle of winter with this white tea and thyme with hints of lemon and jasmine scented candle from Skeem Design. It will set the mood for a serene, relaxed evening of reading or anything else. It has a gorgeous carved woodblock lid. The soy candle features a triple wick and has been hand-poured in the USA
16. Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet
BEST KINDLE ALTERNATIVE
Sure, a Kindle is always one of the best gifts for book lovers, but that doesn’t mean it’s actually the best e-reader for everyone. Have a voracious book reader and TV lover in your life? The Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet holds hundreds of books just like a Kindle — and you can watch Netflix, Disney+, STARZ and Prime Video. There’s even a picture-in-picture option. Your gift recipient can listen to Spotify, Pandora music or an Audible podcast, do Zoom and more. There’s 32GB and 64GB internal storage options. Alexa can be used hands-free with this model too. Amazon has a payment plan for it too.
17. Well Read Book Themed Crossbody Bag
A literal bookbag? This crossbody bag sports the covers of classic novels like The Great Gatsby, Alice in Wonderland, Dracula, The Jungle Book, A Midsomer Night’s Dream and four others to choose from. It opens up like a book and the strap can be taken off so the bag can be used as a clutch.
18. Total Power by Vince Flynn
The USA is plunged into darkness and Mitch Rapp has to find the guy who did it, so he can fix it. Total Power is part of the Mitch Rapp series, but can be read as a standalone.
19. Bag Ladies English Breakfast Tea with Classic Quotes
The Bag Ladies English Breakfast tea bags are adorned with quotes from classic novels. This gift was #14 on Oprah’s 2019 Holiday List. The box comes with 25 tea bags. Prefer modern novels? They also have a Modern American Classic quote and tea collection too.
20. Radley London Heritage Radley A6 Notebook
Book lovers need something that they can carry around where they can jot down new books to read, quotes they love and even the outlines of a book they might write. Radley London’s Heritage Radley “Make A Plan” notebook easily slips into a bag or tote. The 65 lined pages provide space for book-themed (or not) notes.
21. Bananagrams: Duel Ultimate Player Game
Bananagrams is one of our favorite games, but it’s also old news. Book lovers are word nerds, and they love to play with words, so give them this fun twist on the classic word game. Get competitive and laugh too with the Bananagrams Duel for a fun and slightly silly game for two. Marked ages 7 and up, players race to fill up a word grid. It can be stowed in a backpack or tote. Perfect for travel or long commutes.
22. Occasionette Le Pen Set
Need to underline a phrase in a novel? Write out a list of books one desperately needs? The Occasionette has a pen set that will be used for a long time. There are four different color combinations: light blue, light green, and black, or amethyst, black and Oriental blue, or teal, red and navy, or olive green, black and light green. The ink is acid-free, non-toxic, smudge-proof and has a fine point.
23. Snoozies Pairables My Book Club Slippers
These warm slipper socks are adorned with reminders of what’s important in life: wine and books. Or is it books and wine? For anyone who loves wine as much as they love a good read, these slippers are the perfect gift idea.
24. Colrasn Clip-On Book Light – Amber
For those who can put a good book down, a clip-on book light solves any late night reading issues. The soft amber light won’t bother anyone who shares the bed and is soft on the eyes. It comes with a rechargeable battery. It’s lightweight 92.5 oz) and can easily be stored in a bag. The light pools only over the page.
25. Near Dark: A Thriller by Brad Thor
Escape into the world of espionage in this exciting thriller, a perfect gift for brothers who can’t get enough of spy novels. America’s top spy has a bounty placed on his head. A badass female Norwegian intelligence officer might be his only hope.
26. Paddywax Library Collection Louisa May Alcott Candle
Paddywax Candles match fragrances with authors. Their Louisa May Allcot candle (6.5 oz.) is scented with cherry blossoms and ivy. Their John Steinbeck candle is a blend of smoked birch and amber, and the Mark Twain candle is tobacco flowers mixed with vanilla. The soy candles are hand-poured and placed in a box adorned with the author’s photo, bio and copper foils. There are seven other authors to choose from, each with a fragrance that echoes their works.
27. Good Thread Easily Distracted By Books Hoodie
Book lovers do get lost in a good read. This cozy hoodie has kangaroo pockets and can be used all year long. The print lets the world know what’s important. It also comes in navy, black, and dark heather gray.
28. Molly Hatch Bouquet in a Book Happy Day
A book that’s also a vase of flowers? This bouquet will never die. Each flower can easily be tucked back into the leaves of the book. Each page describes the flower, it’s meaning and its message.
29. YaYa & Co Madison Canvas Messenger Bag
One can never leave home without a book or books. This eco-friendly canvas and leather-trimmed bag was made by artisans and makers who were paid ethically. This capacious messenger bag has a padded pocket for electronics, it will hold a 15.6-inch laptop. There two front patch pockets and interior compartments. And yes, lots of room for books. For every purchase made they plant trees in the Amazon rainforest.
30. Engraved Tumbler for Book Lovers
Show the world what’s important with this engraved insulated stainless steel tumbler. The vacuum insulated cup will keep hot drinks hot for four hours, cold drinks stay that way for 12. It comes with a stainless steel straw and can be personalized. This book-themed tumbler comes in 15 different shades.
31. Toirxarn Metal Leaf Bookmark
Book lovers who love a bit of glitz and glam, will enjoy this golden-hued bookmark. A thin gold chain that runs from the top of the leaf ends with a gold butterfly and glass ball charm. It arrives in a gift box,
32. Old World Christmas Stack of Books Ornament
Book lovers adore unread books, it’s so many worlds to discover. They’d love a Christmas tree ornament that reminds them of all the possibilities a book promises them. Hang this on the tree now or give it as a gift so it can be used next year. Old World Christmas has other book-themed ornaments, as well as avocados, game controllers and so many more cool ornaments for your tree.
33. The MacBath Aragorn’s Shave Goat’s Milk Soap
You don’t have to be stanning over The Hobbit to use this creamy, luxurious moisturizing shave soap. This soap is scented with cedar and saffron, which gives it a dreamy forest-y scent. Mixed in with the goat’s milk is bentonite clay which helps with extra “slip” for your razor.
34. Discount Glasses.com Evolutioneyes Especs Blue Two Pack Readers
Anyone who owns reading glasses knows that one pair is never enough. This two-pack pair of reading glasses ensures that they’ll always be able to read, no matter where they go. They’ll get a pair of black-framed reading glasses and one pair of brownish tortoiseshell. Because they’ve got blue light blocking lenses, they’ll protect eyes against the damaging light that come from electronic devices
35. The Bucolic Plague by Josh Kilmer-Purcell
Is anyone you know thinking about giving it all up and becoming a farmer? Josh Kilmer-Purcell and his partner didn’t expect to become goat farmers. His memoir is laugh-out-loud funny (read the reviews). It tells the tale of two city boys who slowly became acclimated to a slower pace of life.
36. Disney Stitch Shoppe Princess Books Handbag
If there’s a Disney princess in your life, young or not, they’ll get a kick out of this themed princess books handbag. The spine of each book is emblazoned with the names of classic Disney princess movies like Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid. Made from real and faux leather, the bag has a detachable shoulder strap.
37. Soap Scent Book Lover Gift Box
This book-themed gift box comes in either tasty vanilla or soothing lavender. Inside the box there’s a scented candle and soap, library card bookmark, book catalog matches for candle, and a book lover-themed pendant that can be worn as a charm or used a key chain. The gift is wrapped in book lover tissue and box. Soap Scents also makes a Shakespeare and a Sherlock Holmes gift box.
38. Pixel Eyewear Computer Glasses With Anti-Blue Light Tint, UV Protection
It seems that everyone’s on their phones or using an e-reader. Protect their eyes with these computer glasses from Pixel Eyewear. We picked these dark green frames because they work with everyone’s skin tone. The lenses have minimal color distortion and have 100% UV protection. They also have an anti-glare coating and block high energy blue light.
39. Lola and Daisy Designs Modern Cookbook Stand
Following cookbook directions is now easier when using this sleek cookbook stand. The stand measures 11 inches in length, so it can hold thick cookbooks like the Joy of Cooking. The back of the stand is made from a natural birch veneer, while the front is made with easy to clean Formica. There are four rubber feet on the bottom of the stand, making it harder to tip over. This cookbook stand comes in three colors: gray, green, or white.
40. Moko Case for Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet
You can give this Fire HD 10 tablet case one of two ways: as part of an Amazon Fire gift, or if they already have a Fire HD 10 tablet, give this as a standalone gift. This case can quickly convert into a stand, making it easy to watch videos in bed. It also comes in over 20 colors and prints.
41. The New York Years by Ashkan Sahihi
At the nexus of popular culture, music and celebrity is this intimate photo collection of who’s who (and who was who) in New York City. This book is a great gift for so many different types of people. It’s a great gift for everyone from art lovers to music fiends. Photographer and journalist Ashkan Sahihi’s new book is almost bursting with celebrity portraits from his years (the 1980s – 2015) living in New York City. Many of the images were taken when he was on assignment for The New Yorker, Vogue, ZEIT and other publications. Celebrities covered in the book include Willem Defoe (cover image), David Bowie, 50 Cent, Funkmaster Flex and Method Man, Yoko Ono, Calvin Klein, Jesus and the Mary Chain, and more.
42. Poster Print Décor World Literature Map Poster
Name a country, and I bet a book lover can tell you a novel that took place in it and possibly a list of authors who lived there. The photo paper poster’s world map is unique. Each country is identified by a work of literature that came from that area. For example, Canada is renamed Anne of Green Gables, Cloudstreet is Australia, War and Peace is Russia and there’s so much more. It comes unframed.
43. Faber Castell Hexo Rollerball Pen – Rose
Bookaholics often write more than the average person, so why not gift them a shiny new pen? It has an ergonomically shaped grip area and a hexagonal shaped barrel. This pen can be used by righties or lefties. Shown here rose, the medium point pen (black ink) also comes in silver and black.
44. Geomodus Honeycomb Metal Bookends
Even minimalists need to organize their books. They’d love these chic and simply styled honeycomb bookends. These sleek bookends are L-shaped and come in pink, gray, turquoise, and yellow.
45. WoodyXYU Book Lover Book Infinity Scarf
You can wrap them in books, and it would be a really luxe experience. This book-printed infinity scarf is handmade. It measures approximately 63 inches long, by 9 inches wide and will look great doubled up.
46. Chi Candle Reading on a Rainy Day Soy Candle
One of the biggest pleasures in life is lying on a couch reading a book while it’s raining outside. There’s something soothing about the sound and scent of rain. Now you can give your favorite bookworm the calming scent of rain with Chi Candle’s Reading on a Rainy Day candle. This handmade soy candle has a cotton wick that is lead-free. The scent is a combination of green tea, paper, rainwater, lavender and redwood.
47. EyeBuyDirect 5 To See Eyewear Collection
5 TO See is EyeBuyDirect’s newest eyewear collection. One pair of glasses is made with five plastic bottles. You can purchase them with their blue light blocking lenses, or if you really want to surprise someone, get them a pair of prescription glasses with an anti-blue light coating on them.
48. Stage and Peach Co. Book Hangover Unisex Tee Shirt
Sometimes it’s really hard to get back to the day-to-day after reading an incredible book. This unisex tee warns everyone who comes near them, that they’re still thinking about a really, really, and I mean really good plot. The tee comes in black, grey, heathered navy and heat
49. UNIFUN Touch Lamp
Let there be light! This fun touch lamp can cycle through a ton of different colors and provides just enough light for those late-night reading sessions that stretch into the early morning. Plus, it comes with a USB port for easy charging.