What is the one thing all my readers and fellow book lovers can agree on? We deserve the best bookish gifts! 😉
Why? Because book lovers are more than readers, more than people who sit in a corner avoiding real human contact for fictional ones!
We are explorers of new worlds, time travellers, unravellers of mysteries. We are deep thinkers and cultural trendsetters. Our lives are shaped by the books we read, live and breathe. And our passion for books must be celebrated!
So, how to find the perfect gift for a book lover or avid reader?
In this bookish gift guide, we look at a wide range of gift ideas for book lovers, from personalized and unique gifts for readers to practical and inexpensive gifts! From books and reading accessories to literary themed merchandise and bookish experiences!
How to Choose the Perfect Gift for a Book Lover
To choose the perfect gift for a book lover, you must understand the book lover. For many readers, who also perhaps lean towards the introverted side of the personality spectrum, reading is a way of life!
So, when you manage to find the perfect gift for them, it enhances their reading experience, hence their way of life and they will appreciate you the more for it. Which means that you can think beyond books!
You can seek out literary themed apparel and accessories for cozy reading or book box subscriptions or literary event tickets, which all can be just as exciting as the newest release!
Everyone loves gifts that include thoughtful attention to detail. For book lovers, this rings true even more so. Clever literary puns, beautiful artworks and book covers for their bookshelves and reading corners, and anything that reflects their love for stories.
Anything that shows that you pay attention when they talk endlessly about the books they are reading!
Furthermore, personalized gifts are always more unique and show extra thoughtfulness, be it an engraved bookmark, an ex libris book embosser or signed edition of their favorite novel.
Book lovers immerse themselves in their fictional worlds and anything that can add to this immersive experience would be highly appreciated. Such as enhancing their reading space with the perfect book lover decor and atmosphere. With their favorite scented candles, cozy blankets and pillows or a stylish reading light.
Check out this vintage book nook decor, featuring designs with antique book covers!
Don’t forget to take into account their favorite genres and reading habits. Gifts that align with their genres and reading habits make a greater impact! While a sci-fi lover might appreciate a Dune themed bookmark, a fantasy reader might love a Harry Potter inspired candle!
A hardcover collector might love book plates and bookmarks while a Kindle lover might appreciate a Kindle case.
On the other hand, an audiobook lover might love an audiobook subscription or a pair of headphones with a literary quote on it!
Consider the fact that readers are lifelong learners. It is okay and even exciting to find them new reads that are adjacent to their favorite genres, something new that you think they might like. This might be a more challenging path to take for some and it is also okay to go with the safer bet, their tried-and-true favorites!
Let’s look at different types of gifts you may consider giving a book lover, in more depth.
The Gift Guide
Books & eReaders
Obviously! How can we forget about books when we talk about book lover gifts! Depending on your budget, you can either hit the rare books bookstore and get a signed copy, first edition or special edition copy! Or you can keep an eye on their favorite author’s new releases!
Let’s not forget the other essential, e-readers for those who prefer the digital formats for reading!
DIY Assembled or Handmade with Love: Gifts with the Personal Touch
DIY Reading Junk Journals
You can craft these yourself and add all the personal touches you want, such as memorabilia and littles written notes of love. Or you can gift your loved one the printable files so that they can have all the crafting fun themselves!
There are many printable kits out there, but I have typically found them to be either plain reading planners or simply junk journals and ephemera for book lovers without the reading planner pages for tracking reading progress, doing book reviews, etc. So, I decided to make some printable kits myself that combined the features of both giving book loving crafters the best of both worlds. Check out this amazing deal on Aesthetic Reading Journal Printable Bundle!
DIY Framed Art Prints for Book Lovers
For the more sophisticated touch, buy an original painting (allow for shipping time).
Or for a more budget friendly option, buy a print or instant download printable that you can print and frame yourself!
As you might already know, I am an artist in addition to being an author; I make 100% handmade oil paintings for book lovers.
For affordable art print reproductions of my original book lover art, check out this collection on my Zazzle shop.
Or this collection of wall decor with personalized favorite book quotes from their favorite authors!
There are so many amazing artists out there from whom you could buy affordable original art and support them in the process too! Find them on social media, your local community or your thrift stores!
In fact, thrift stores and garage sales are a great way to find some unique, rare items that might just turn out to be more valuable and exciting than you imagined!
DIY Book Baskets
If you put together a book basket based on the recipient’s tastes and preferences, this is bound to prove to be a thoughtful and personal gift! And you can also customize them to fit your own budget! While adding any personal memorabilia into the mix to make it extra personal!
Personalized Merchandise
Personalized merchandise come in the form of initialled, monogrammed, photo gifts, or with details that offer a sentiment to the gift recipient. Such as including an important date, event or book quote on the gift.
For more budget friendly personalized gift options, this Zazzle collection is a good start. You can transfer the designs to any of the thousands of products offered on the website and are usually fully customizable. If you want to know how to customize one of my designs from the Bookish Troves shop, feel free to reach out to me.
Or, if you are looking to spoil your loved one, check out these gorgeous, engraved pens from the brand Levenger, for example!
Book Aesthetic Merchandise
There are countless options to choose from when it comes to merchandise! You can go for the practical reading accessories such as unique, engraved bookmarks.
Consider comfy reading pillows for the neck and back or a book themed reading lamp for comfortable nighttime reading. Such items serve the practical purpose of providing comfort, making the reading nook cozier as well as add classy bookish decor.
Check out the home decor collections in my shop here.
Or check this classy bookshelf lighting from Levenge.
Subscriptions & Experiences
If you wish to give the book lover in your life the gift of experiences and moments, then subscriptions and events might be the way to go.
You can buy them author event tickets such as book signings or author readings, or a book related conference. You can plan a tour of a special bookstore or library. Or plan a book themed date! Or buy them a book club membership.
For ongoing bookish subscriptions, consider book box subscriptions such as those found on CrateJoy. Or a Kindle Unlimited or Kobo Plus subscription to make sure their e-readers are always stuffed.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect gift for a book lover is all about understanding their passion for stories and the way they experience books. Whether it’s a rare edition, a cozy reading accessory, or a personalized keepsake, the best gifts show thoughtfulness and appreciation for their literary world.
From DIY creations to bookish subscriptions and immersive experiences, there’s a perfect gift for every reader. So, embrace their love for books and surprise them with something that truly speaks to their bookish soul!