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inding the perfect gift is hard. How do you strike the right balance between fun and practical, between showing that you know someone and finding something they haven’t already purchased for themselves? At best, a gift can be an opportunity to show that you know someone, you understand what they like and who they are. Which means if it misfires, it could be a serious ding to your relationship. No pressure, right?

Image courtesy of Giphy.

Yeah, let’s avoid a reaction like that if we can.

When searching for the perfect present, it can help to take a deep dive into the hobbies and interests of the person you’re shopping for. Inspiration for the perfect gift can come from anywhere – including between the pages of a book.

Luckily for non-readers shopping for their literary loved ones, you don’t have to personally identify as a ReaderTM to find the perfect bookish gift. Consider this your cheat sheet. And fellow bookworms, you’ll want to take notes, too – it’s never too early to start dropping hints about what you want to unwrap next time a gift bag lands in your lap 👀

  • Bookish shirts, scarves, and accessories any book-lover would be happy to wear
  • Literary inspired blankets, candles, and homegoods for your favorite reader
  • “Experience” gift ideas even the most introverted reader would enjoy

1. Periodic Table of Literature

Image courtesy of Emsy Design Studio on Etsy.

Budget: $35+

Think the periodic table is only relevant to the STEM-minded among us? Think again! Since Dmitri Mendeleev first organized the elements into those neat columns and rows (which may or may not trigger some stressful memories of midterm exams), lots of designers have borrowed the concept to create aesthetically pleasing designs related to their own fields, from storytelling elements to horror movies.

Introducing: the Periodic Table of Literature.

So if your favorite book worm still has the posters from their freshman year dorm up as decor or otherwise could use some wall art that’s as bookish as they are, this stylish upgrade should do the trick!

Shop Periodic Table of Literature prints >>

2. Portable Folding Book Lamp

Image courtesy Uniwolk.

Budget: $25

I tried pretty hard to come up with something clever to say about this one, but honestly, I’m too busy giggling and kicking my feet over the genius design of this reading light. It unfolds like your favorite storybook, casting a cozy glow perfect for reading in the dusky corners of a library, tucked into their bed, or anywhere they choose.

The magnetic spine can open a full 360 degrees to accommodate any of their lighting needs. It’s got a rechargeable battery, so no searching the coffee shop for outlets before they can sit down. And it folds down to the size of an ordinary book, making it easy to stash in a tote, on a shelf, or anywhere else they might want to have it within reach.

It’s just so cool! 🤗 Okay, I’m done.

Buy a Folding Book Light >>

3. Out of Print Library Card Tote Bag

Image courtesy Out of Print.

Budget: $25 and under

Not every bookish gift is super flashy – this subtle library card print canvas tote bag is perfect for anyone who’s always toting their new finds back and forth from the library.

Available in a variety of colors including white, yellow, blue, and gray, there’s an option to fit every book lover’s style.

Buy an Out of Print Library Card Tote Bag >>

4. Author Clock

It's THE most literary way to tell time. Image courtesy Author & Co.

Budget: $200

I know, I know, I’m still coping with the sticker shock too. But there’s a reason this handy little desktop (or bookshelf-top) clock is so expensive. The folks over at Author & Co. painstakingly created a library of over 13,000 quotes from the greatest literary works in history to tell the time using passages from literature. Available in a variety of languages, Author Clock displays a unique quote every minute on an e-paper display with adjustable font styles, font sizes, parental controls, and more.

PS – If you’re looking for a novel way to check the weather, they recently added Author Forecast to their catalog as well!

Buy an Author Clock >>

5. Mini Projector

Image courtesy Taget.

Budget: $35+

Perfect for readers with a big imagination but a not-so-big reading nook, projectors can help your favorite book lover really get lost in the story. With the tap of a button, any wall or ceiling can be transformed into a portal to the sandy desertscape of Arrakis, the pulse-pounding parapet at Basgiath War College, or simply the quaint view from the window in a storybook New England town where their favorite romance takes place. The possibilities are endless!

When it comes to a tech item like a projector, you don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars to give a great experience. Just look for something with Bluetooth, wifi capabilities, and lots of lumens, and for the best results, the ability to output video in high definition.

This HAPPRUN Bluetooth Projector runs about $150, has a built-in speaker, HD capabilities, and is smartphone compatible.

But if that’s out of your price range, less expensive models more like this $35 projector have also gone viral and gotten lots of great reviews.

6. Book of the Month Subscription

Budget: $60 - $120 (depending on subscription length)

Remember when mail was more than just bills and junk? Neither do I. Help your favorite reader get excited to check the mailbox each month with a book subscription box that just keeps giving!

Did you know that the original Book of the Month Club – the one from 1926 – is still going strong? Although this is not your grandma’s BOTM!

The updated concept is simple: each month, the BOTM experts offer up 5 new-release books from different genres for subscribers to choose from. Your reader makes their selection, and it shows up on their doorstep a few days later in a pretty blue box, ready to read. Bookmark included.

Gift a 3 month, 6 month, or 12 month membership to keep the new reads coming!

Learn more about BOTM >>

7. Shakespeare Succulent Planter

Image courtesy Made in Museum.

Budget: $20 and under

Countless masterpieces sprang from the mind of WIlliam Shakespeare.

Now, so can your favorite reader’s succulents!

This quirky little gift is perfect for cultivating their kitchen herbs, air plants, or succulents.

Also available in Jane Austen and Sigmund Freud.

Shop Shakespeare Desk Planters >>

8. Anxiety bookshelf

Image courtesy Amazon.

Budget: $25

There’s nothing quite so satisfying to a reader as a beautiful bookcase full of perfectly arranged books. And while they might not relish the thought of rearranging the full-sized tomes in their collection, this miniature bookshelf fidget toy is the perfect gift for book lovers who are a little bit on the anxious side.

Whenever they need a moment to destress or something to fiddle with as they ponder their last great read, they can simply shake it to disrupt the miniature books and breathe a sigh of relief as they put everything back in order.

Shop Anxiety Bookshelf >>

9. QR Literature Mug

Image courtesy of Uncommon Goods.

Budget: $30-$40 (depending on subscription length)

This is more than just a mug! Hidden in the artwork on this bookish coffee cup is a QR code your favorite bibliophile can scan each morning as they sip their beverage of choice to receive a literary quote of the day. Choose from a 1-, 2-, or 3-year subscription.

Shop Interactive Literary Quote-a-Day Coffee Mug >>

10. Portable File Tote

Image courtesy of Levenger.

Designed with the business-centric focus of keeping file folders tidy in transport, the Levenger Library Portable Tote has plenty of room for anything your book lover might be carding around. Whether it’s a borderline irresponsible number of books or just their everyday essentials, they’ll love the sleek design of this premium leather-alternative bag… and the subtle bookish detail peaking out of the top.

Shop Levenger Library Tote >>

11. Rockstar Writers Shirt

Image courtesy Out of Print.

Budget: $35 and under

Wouldn’t classic lit be better with Bowie makeup? We agree, and so do the creators of this fun tee!

Featuring punk rock renditions of writers who never shied away from pushing literary boundaries and challenging social norms like Virginia Woolfe and Oscar Wilde, it’s also available in a variety of colors and gets rave reviews!

Buy a Punk Rock Writers shirt >>

12. Scratch Off Book Poster

Image courtesy of Been There, Done That.

Help them make their way through some bucket list reads with this poster! Comes with a scratch off poster featuring 100 of the best books of all time, plus additional material for logging their thoughts as they journey through the list.

Shop Scratch Off Book Poster >>

13. Literary Scarf

Image courtesy Storiarts.

Budget: $50

Cozy scarves make a great gift – and for book lovers, it’s even better when they’ve got a passage from their favorite book woven right in! They can grab a Sense and Sensibility scarf, perfect for exploring the heath-shrouded moors of England or curling up to read their favorite novel, a spooky two-tone Tell-Tale Heart Book Scarf for gothic adventures, or even a magical Wizard of Oz Scarf that will wrap them in the feelings of home even when they’re off adventuring on the Yellow Brick Road.

But if you happen to know their favorite book (or can do some sleuthing to see their favorite quotes on Goodreads or Storygraph) you can build a custom book scarf for them too!

PS - Use code ADULTIST for 10% off your Storiarts purchase!

Create a custom book scarf >>

14. Literary Tea Gift Set

Image courtesy FlyPaperProducts on Etsy.

Budget: $50 and under

Picture your reader curled up with a book – what do they have with them? A cozy blanket, a scented candle, and almost certainly, a mug of something steamy and delicious to fight off the cold. So why not upgrade their bookish beverage situation with some premium, literary-inspired tea?

With assorted literary themed teas in decorative tins, these blends are inspired by some of the greatest stories in literature. Customize by adding other FlyPaperProducts items – like a tea infuser to go with the loose leaf offerings in the set.

Choose whichever set you think your reader would like best:

🫖 Wuthering Heights Earl Gray, Gone with the Wind Peach Oolong, Arabian Nights Turmeric Bliss, Anne of Green Gables Jasmine Yin Hao

🫖 Through the Looking Glass Masala Chai, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Nighttime Blend with Valerian Root, Great Expectations Lemongrass Ginger, Pride and Prejudice Chamomile

Choose a fun Literary Tea Gift Set >>

15. Personal Library Kit

Image courtesy Knock Knock.

Budget: $25 and under

Lending out books from your personal library is risky business – after all, not everybody has the same standard of book care… or will even remember who lent the book to them, or when 🥲

Your favorite reader can kiss those problems goodbye with this handy kit. With cards, pouches, and a stamp, they can keep track of their collection no matter where they lend it out.

Shop this Personal Library Kit >>

16. Blind Date with a Book

Budget: $15 - $50

Blind dates with people? Nerve wracking. Blind date with a book? Fun!

You can easily DIY this one. Just pick up a book (or a couple!) and wrap it in plain paper. Write a few clues about each on the outside, and if you want you can even tuck other goodies like tea bags and bookmarks inside.

Prefer to leave it to the experts? There are plenty of Etsy shops selling blind date with a book bundles or boxes, like:

17. Secular Saint Author Candle

Image courtesy Unemployed Philosophers Guild.

Budget: $20 and under

For a reader, there’s nothing quite like a quiet evening in with a good book. Help them create the perfect ✨ambiance✨ for the next reading night with a candle inspired by one of their favorite books or authors.

Secular Saint pillar candles are a great choice! Choose from classic writers like Shakespeare and Poe or modern ones like Jane Austen and James Baldwin.

Buy an Edgar Allan Poe pillar candle >>

18. Book Scanner

Image courtesy Tera.

Budget: $25 and under

With this barcode scanner in hand, their personal library will be more organized than ever. All they need is a software like Libib, and they’ll be able to categorize and search through their book collection like never before.

Not to mention, it comes in a variety of colors so you can even match their aesthetic.

Buy a Book Scanner >>

19. Socks That Give Books

Image courtesy Conscious Step.

Budget: $15-$40

Reading might sound like a solo activity – and yes, technically, it is – but book lovers are always trying to get other people hooked on their favorite stories, too. Yes, that can mean aggressively lending you their new favorite book and following up almost daily until you crack it open, but it also means being passionate about programs that help support the next generation of readers (and writers!)

Conscious Step has a simple mission: to give back to great causes using the proceeds from stylish, comfortable socks. Whether you buy one pair or a pack, these socks help support literacy initiatives that put books in the hands of young readers. And what’s not to love about a gift that gives back?

Shop Socks That Give Books at Conscious Step >>

20. Bookish Perfume

Image courtesy SmellsLikeBooks on Etsy.

Budget: $22 - $45 depending on size

Reading is an immersive experience. Help them settle into their favorite world with literary and book-inspired perfume! Whether you get them a whole bottle or a roller, they’ll be thrilled with scents that transport them into the pages of their favorite book series, like:

🍂RIVENDELL - Lord of the Rings - bergamot, white tea, pine, spruce, cedar

❤️‍🔥FIREHEART - Throne of Glass - lemon verbena and crackling embers

📚OLD BOOKS - aged papyrus, leather, sandalwood, mahogany, amyris

🐴GREEN GABLES - Anne of Green Gables - fresh herbs, wild rose, amber

💫VELARIS - A Court of Thorns and Roses - verbena, stars, sea salt

Check out the whole catalog of literary perfume >>

21. Sherpa Fleece Book Blanket

Image courtesy Storiarts.

Budget: $90 and under

Cue the nostalgia! Fleece blankets are great for snuggling up and reading a good book, and they’re even better when they’re bookish themselves. Choose from Hundred Acre Woods and The Secret Garden, Pride and Prejudice and The Night Circus.

Chase away the chill while your favorite reader is poring over their next novel. These book-inspired blankets are the perfect addition to anyone’s collection.

Even the White Witch would approve of this cozy Narnia blanket.

Buy this Map of Narnia Fleece Blanket >>

22. Reading Journal

Tracking their reading goals has never been easier (or more aesthetic). Image courtesy Paper Peony Press.

Budget: $15 and under

When you’re speeding through dozens of books a year, it can be tough to keep track of them all. This handy For the Love of Books journal makes it easy for your favorite reader to jot down their thoughts and reviews before they pick up their next book.

Sure, any old notebook will work as a reading journal in a pinch – but they’ll love the built-in trackers and aesthetic cover of any reading journal from Paper Peony Press!

23. “Book Bag”

These are so much cooler than the Jansport backpacks they had in elementary school. Image courtesy Well Read.

Budget: $100 and under

Forget purses big enough for a book… what if their purse could be a book? Well Read’s crossbody book bags pay homage to some of the masterworks of literature – from Pride and Prejudice to Dracula to 1984.

They’re a little bit spendy – prices range from $65-$95 depending on the style you pick, but it’s a totally unique gift option if you have the cash to spend on it.

24. Transparent Sticky Notes

For markups that can be easily removed. Image courtesy Jetec.

Budget: $15 and under

Some readers love marginalia, but others… marking up a book? They would never. Luckily with these Transparent Sticky Notes, they don’t have to! This might not be the most exciting gift on our list, but it’s a quality of life upgrade any book lover is sure to appreciate.

25. Book Cover Shirt

Image courtesy Camelsota.

Budget: $25

Shopping on Amazon might not always feel like the responsible choice (even if you already swore off buying books on the platform), but the megacorporation can also help small businesses reach a wider audience.

This handmade shirt features an etching of Walden pond from Henry David Thoreu’s reflective book by the same name. Plus the design is subtle, so you can be sure your favorite book lover will wear this literary Walden Book Cover tee all the time.

26. Fancy Edition of Their Favorite Book

With dozens of titles to choose from, Penguin’s Clothbound Classics make a great gift for book lovers. You can build up their collection each time you get them a gift! Recording of Penguin Random House catalog. Shop here >>

Budget: $25+

Okay, maybe it’s a bit much, but I personally have three copies of Anna Karenina and about 15 different collections of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and poems. Why? People are always getting me beautiful new editions – and it never gets old!

To get you started, here are a few suggestions for gift editions in different genres:

📚 Classics: There are whole websites dedicated to beautiful editions of classic books, and you can find some really unique vintage copies on Etsy (not to mention your local used book store), but if you want something that looks great and won’t break the bank, Penguin’s clothbound classics should be at the top of your list. Running at about $26, they aren’t super expensive – but you can get your favorite book lover different titles from the stunning collection for many gift giving occasions to come!

📚 Fantasy: Since its release in the 1950s, there have been several beautiful editions of the Lord of the Rings and its accompanying lore. The Illustrated Edition should set you back about $50, or there’s the Special Edition for about $150. If you really want to go big, you can even grab the Easton Press leatherbound set for $395.

📚 New Fiction + Nonfiction: Newer releases can be hard to find in fancy editions, but Folio Society is probably your best bet. In addition to the old classics, they carry more modern stories like The Road by Cormac McArthy, The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro, and Dune by Frank Herbert. There are even nonfiction offerings by the likes of Machu Kaku and Hunter S. Thompson!

📚 Signed Editions: Finding a signed edition of their favorite book is easier than ever. You can even order them from Barnes & Noble’s Signed Books collection. From Harper Lee to RuPaul to Alex Michaelides to Sarah J. Maas, there’s something for every reader.

27. Bookish Cook Books

Image courtesy of Storiarts.

Budget: $20

Books and cocktails? Yes, please. The Tequila Mockingbird Cocktail Recipe Book will help them craft a tasty adult beverage to pair with their next classic read.

And for the main course, consider something like the Book Lover’s Cookbook or Recipes from the World of Tolkien!

28. Candle Warmer

Image courtesy of Geezo.

Budget: $25+

The cozy glow of a candle-lit library, without those potentially page-destorying flames. A candle warmer is a great way to upgrade their favorite reading spot… bonus points if you get them a candle to go with it!

29. Invisible Shelves

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Budget: $20

For readers, books are equal parts hobby and decor. Help them maximize their vertical space (and give them an excuse to go book shopping) with these nifty invisible book shelves!

Perfect for readers who have recently upgraded their living arrangements to accommodate a larger personal library – err, save some money on rent. These gifts make the perfect house-warming or anytime gift for readers everywhere.

Shop Invisible Shelves >>

30. Book Tracker Sign

Image courtesy of Homedecoration24 on Etsy.

Budget: $50

Give them an analog way to keep track of how many books they’ve finished this year with a custom book tracker! Available in many different designs to fit any book lover’s library, the price on this gift varies widely.

Buy a Book Shelf Reading Tracker >>

31. Book Locket

Image courtesy of Uncommon Goods.

Budget: $60

Help them keep their favorite story near and dear to their heart with a book replica locket that opens up to reveal a quote from one of these literary masterpieces.

Shop Book Lockets >>

32. Hidden Power Charger

Image courtesy of Uncommon Goods.

Budget: $70

Technology is all well and good, but for a book lover with a carefully crafted bookish aesthetic, it can kind of ruin the vibe. That’s why this wireless charger is disguised as the one thing they can’t get enough of – a book!

Buy Hidden Power Charger >>

33. Book Nook

Image courtesy of Dolphin Island.

Budget: $50

Book nooks are a book lover’s lego set. Available in tons of designs, they come in a DIY kit your favorite reader can spend an afternoon assembling. This one is particularly magical, with an illusion that makes the chandeliers in the library scene look like they’re flickering flame!

Shop Flame Illusion Book Nook >>

34. Literary Oracle Cards

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Budget: $20

This one’s for readers who love some magical realism. If they’ve ever dabbled in tarot cards or oracle cards, they’ll love having the Literary Witches Oracle Cards in their collection.

Honorable mention? These other bookish fortune-telling sets, the Book Lovers Oracle Deck and Spot of Divination Tea Leaf Reading Kit.

Shop for Literary Witches Oracle Cards >>

35. Bookish Laptop Sleeve

Image courtesy MOSISO.

Budget: $30

Cover the unsightly minimalist lines of their laptop with a beautiful vintage book-inspired laptop case!

Buy a Bookish Laptop Sleeve >>

36. Book Stand

Image courtesy Levenger.

Budget: $100

Holding a big book is a serious wrist workout. Give them a more ergonomic option with a beautiful book stand they can keep on their desk!

Shop Tree of Knowledge Book Stand >>

37. Framed Print of First a Edition Cover

Image courtesy of Uncommon Goods.

Budget: $65

If you're a thrift store superstar, you might be able to snag a rare edition of their favorite book outright. But unless you’re very lucky or in very good with the Rare Book Gods, a first or signed edition can set you back hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Or, you can get a tastefully framed print of the cover for a much more reasonable price!

Shop First Edition Book Prints >>

38. Book Ends

Lion Book Ends inspired by the New York Public Library’s iconic lion statues. Shop on Amazon >>

Budget: $25+

From artsy to minimalist, nerdy to niche, spooky to cute, there are book ends to fit every home library.

Shop Book Ends >>

39. Opening Lines of Literature Mug

Image courtesy of the Unemployed Philosopher’s Guild.

Budget: $20

Elevate your favorite reader’s next night in with this oversized Greatest Opening Lines of Literature Mug.

Shop Opening Lines of Literature Mug >>

40. Reading Light

Image courtesy of Gritin.

Budget: $20

Make it easier than ever for them to sneak just one more chapter! before bed with a reading light the clips right onto their book.

Shop Reading Clip Lights >>

41. Personalized book embosser

Image courtesy of MultiFunStudio on Etsy.

Budget: $25

Available in 42+ designs, this book embosser will help them put their unique “stamp” on every item in their personal library.

Buy a Book Embosser >>

42. Twinkle Lights

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Budget: $25

Finding the perfect reading light is more of a struggle than it sounds like. There are lots of cozy lamps out there, but reading by lamp light can leave you with weird shadows falling across your pages if you plan to read into the night.

Luckily, twinkle lights are a simple and effective solution! With a couple of command hooks, they can be draped along the ceiling of a bedroom, library, or reading nook for the perfect amount of reading light every single time. Seriously, a game changer.

Buy Twinkle Lights >>

43. Stained Glass Window Cling

Image courtesy Redamancy.

Budget: $25

Real stained glass can get pretty expensive, but no matter! With a couple sheets of window film – which is non adhesive and won’t damage windows when it’s time to take it down – they can transform the windows in their reading nook into the stain glass panes of their dreams.

Buy Stained Glass Window Film >>

44. Bookmarks

Image courtesy Lastword.

Budget: $8-$20

Your average bookmark is great for the end of a chapter, but it doesn’t do much to mark your spot on the page. This Elastic Bookmark solves that problem. (multiple colors available)

Or, you can upgrade your favorite reader’s bookmark collection with this adorable Nessie Bookmark.

45. “It’s MimOsa not MimosA” Harry Potter shirt

Image courtesy Q3Concepts on Etsy.

Budget: $30 and under

This one’s for girlies in the Harry Potter > Twilight > Percy Jackson > Divergent > ACOTAR pipeline. You don’t have to know exactly what new fantasy romance book is up next on their to-be-read pile to get a gift she’ll love.

If your favorite book lover has ever tried to guess your Hogwarts House at brunch, this t-shirt that spoofs an iconic Harry Potter moment will have her feeling magical!

Buy this It’s MimOsa not MimosA Harry Potter shirt >>

46. Motion Sickness Glasses

Image courtesy Hion.

Budget: $15

What’s this got to do with reading? You’d be surprised. If you’re shopping for a book worm on the go, these Motion Sickness Glasses can stave off headaches if they have trouble reading in the car or on the train.

Buy Motion Sickness Glasses >>

47. Wearable Sherpa Blanket

Image courtesy Tirrinia.

Budget: $40

Is it a Snuggie? Okay, it’s basically a Snuggie. But it’s perfect for staying cozy when you’re reading on those cold winter nights!

Give your favorite reader a blanket that sticks with them whether they’re on the couch or refilling their tea in the kitchen with this Wearable Sherpa Blanket (multiple prints available)

Buy a Wearable Sherpa Blanket >>

48. Suriel Tea Co. Mug

Image courtesy ItoCustoms on Etsy.

Budget: $25 and under

If they know exactly how many books SMJ is under contract for or have very strong opinions on the Azriel ship war, this is the perfect gift for your reader. The suriel, a species of malevolent fae bound to answer questions with truth when caught, is one of the internet’s favorite characters in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series.

Over the course of the original trilogy “Suri” spills the tea… making this a hilarious and heartfelt giver for the book lover in your life.

Buy a Suriel Tea Co. Mug >>

49. Writing (/Reading) Gloves

Image courtesy Storiarts.

Budget: $30

Here’s a mystery for you: what keeps your hands warm, but leaves your fingers free to turn the page? These Sherlock Holmes Writing Gloves. Use code ADULTIST for 10% off your Storiarts purchase!

Buy Sherlock Holmes Writing Gloves >>

50. Tickets to An Author Reading

Budget: Varies

Looking for something that’s more of an experience gift? Consider taking them out for a literary night on the town with tickets to a local book reading. Check out indie bookstores and arts and culture organizations in your area to start. When in doubt, your local library should also have some good resources for your search!

51. Book Shopping Spree

Budget: Varies

Here’s the idea: you take a book lover to a book store and give them an impossible (albeit very fun) task: limit their shopping time to 5 minutes, or 3 minutes, or whatever you think your wallet can handle.

If you’re feeling generous, give them a few minutes to browse before the timer starts. Set a couple of ground rules – do their picks have to fit in a single shopping basket? Or just in their arms? And then turn them loose to grab books until time is up… then treat them to their spoils.

It’ll be a fun experience your favorite reader will never forget if you have the money to risk!

Looking for something with a less variable price tag? You can always grab them a gift card to their favorite book store instead!

52. Books About Books

Budget: $20+

Some books are written by book people, for book people. If you’re not sure what to get a reader but still want to contribute to their never-ending TBR (to-be-read) pile, consider these titles which are veritable love letters to reading.

Nonfiction:

📚 For the Love of Books: Designing and Curating a Home Library by Thatcher Wine & Elizabeth Lane

📚 Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: True Stories of the Magic of Reading by James Patterson and Mark Eversmann

📚 Rare Books and Rarer People: Some Personal Reminiscences of ‘The Trade’ by O.F. Snelling

📚 Judging a Book By Its Lover: A Field Guide to the Minds of Readers by Lauren leto

📚 Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman

Fiction:

📚 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

📚 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

📚 Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

53. Book Club Membership

Budget: $60+

Give your favorite reader someone to talk books with! If they’re trying to read more in the next year, or they just need some fellow book-worms to chat with, paying their dues or purchasing them the next read for a book club will definitely be appreciated.

Looking for something about more than just reading? The Books, Brunches, and Booze Membership also includes yoga events, wine tasting, and other fun events that help you build relationships with your new bookish friends.

Is your reader trying to tackle a big book? They might need some moral support. The Intimidating Book Club is a free book-club based in the DC area with virtual meeting options. Stock up on some of the upcoming intimidating reads for a fun but challenging gift!

There are tons of book clubs out there – find another bookclub nearby if these ones don’t seem like a good fit!

54. DIY journal, bookmark, or even dust jacket

Budget: Varies

You don’t need a big gift budget to create something your favorite book worm will treasure forever. Design a hand-made bookmark, create a journal for their reading notes, or even a dust jacket for their favorite title, and they’ll be talking about how amazing your gift was forever.

55. Your Time

Budget: $0

This is simple, but it’s so effective and comes in so many different forms.

Volunteer to read their favorite book, or give them an annotated copy of your own – with things underlined, your thoughts in the margins, maybe even letters or introduction notes at the start of the chapters.

Start a two-person book club (or bigger!).

Or simply make time to discuss their latest read with them, and keep the conversation going with thoughtful questions that show your interest and even help them think about their read from a new perspective.

There are few things in this world that will make a book lover happier than sharing their passion with you :)

We hope you found the perfect gift for your book worm on these pages 📖

This article’s been a novel of a read, but we hope it’s given you lots of gift ideas for the reader in your life, or helped you build out your own wish list. From all of us here at Adultist, happy gifting!

Originally published 11/2/2022. Last updated 11/21/2025.

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Nov 21, 2025
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