Top 24 Gifts for Book
1Wirecutter's pick for book lovers: half-pot bookends that hold a small succulent, for the reader who has everything (book-gift-ideas, section 3: bookends).
$30The Morgan Library & Museum Shop
3Rolling Stone picks this illustrated tote for readers; roomy enough for a stack of library books, and under $25. For book-gift-ideas, section 3: book accessorie
$22.40Rifle Paper Co.
5A colour e-reader with page-turn buttons and stylus support, named by CNN Underscored as a gift for serious readers (for book-gift-ideas, section 1: book light,
$259.99Rakuten Kobo
7A neat, well-made desk pen at a small price, picked by CNN Underscored as a practical thank you for a teacher.
$10Craighill
9A funny counting book from Mo Willems that makes a cheap, much-loved stocking gift for small readers; picked by Good Housekeeping for toddlers.
$9.31Bookshop.org
23Uncommon Goods | Literature Every Day Interactive QR Mug | Mug | 4.8-Star Rated
Food Network lists it among its teacher gifts; a bookshelf mug whose QR code opens a new literary quote each day, for a teacher who loves books.
$29Uncommon Goods
2Gold-handled porcelain mug printed with classic book spines; a small, well made gift for a reader. For book-gift-ideas, section 3: book accessories.
$24Rifle Paper Co.
4Rolling Stone names this machine-washable fleece, printed with classic book spines, as a cosy gift for readers. For book-gift-ideas, section 1: reading comforts
$62Rifle Paper Co.
6A hand painted print of the books that matter to them, made to order from their own favourites; a keepsake for a devoted reader.
$120Ideal Bookshelf
8Birth Month Mini Embroidered Journal - January
CNN Underscored's girlfriend guide suggests this mini hardcover journal, embroidered with her birth-month flower, for a girlfriend with a journaling or sketchin
$26.0Rifle Paper Co.
2250 Must-Read Books 1000-Piece Puzzle | Ridley's Games
A 1000-piece jigsaw of a bookshelf of classics, picked by CNN Underscored for readers who like a screen-free evening (for christmas-gift-ideas and book-gift-ide
$24.99Ridley's Games
24Classic Notebook Hard Cover | Moleskine NAM
NBC Select recommends this classic hard-cover notebook for teachers who keep plans and ideas on paper.
$22.00Moleskine
Match the genre they are in now, not the one they used to be in
Reading taste shifts. Someone deep into memoirs this year might have been all thrillers last year. A book that matches what they have mentioned reading lately lands far better than a popular title picked off a table. Listen for the last two or three books they talked about, and choose another by the same author or in the same corner of the shelf.
Save the specific title before it gets lost in conversation
âI have been meaning to read thatâ is one of the easiest hints to catch and one of the easiest to lose. Saving it as a hint the moment it comes up means it is still there when you need a gift idea, and it means you are buying a book they have already said they want, not guessing.
Book gift ideas for someone who owns everything
If you are not sure what they have read, look beyond the paperback. A beautiful hardback of a book they already love, a signed or special edition, or a box set of a series they have only half finished all feel like a step up from a first read.
Illustrated and coffee table books are another safe route, because few people buy them for themselves. Pick a subject they care about, such as food, travel, nature, film or art, and choose one with good photography.
A good second hand or antiquarian bookshop find can also be a lovely gift if you know their taste well, as long as it is in decent condition.
Gifts that make reading nicer
A reading light that clips to a book, a comfortable bookmark, a book sleeve for the commute or a tidy bookend set all suit a reader who has plenty of books already. Keep it simple and practical.
For someone who reads on a device, a case, a charger or a gift card for their usual store works well. For someone who reads in the bath, a waterproof pouch is a small gift that gets used constantly.
Subscriptions, vouchers and the gift of a recommendation
A bookshop voucher is a perfectly good gift for a fussy reader, especially if you pair it with a handwritten note about one book you think they might enjoy. A book subscription or a membership to a local independent shop can keep the present going through the year. Always check the terms so you are not setting them up for a recurring charge they did not choose.
What to skip
Self help books aimed at fixing something about them, books you have not checked they own already, and anything chosen only because it is on a front of shop table. If you cannot tell what they would enjoy, a voucher or a reading accessory is better than a gamble.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for someone who loves reading?
Match something they have said they enjoyed lately, or give a reading accessory such as a clip on light, a nice bookmark or a waterproof pouch. A special edition of a book they already love is another safe choice.
What do you buy a bookworm who has every book?
Move away from new releases. Try a hardback or signed edition of a favorite, an illustrated book on a subject they love, or something that improves how they read, such as a light or a comfortable cover.
Is a book token or voucher a good gift?
Yes, particularly for a reader with strong taste. Add a short note recommending one title so it feels chosen, not like a fallback.
How do I find out what books someone wants?
Listen for titles they mention, check what they are reading now, and save any âI should read thatâ moment as a hint on HintDrop. That way you have a real title ready when you need one.
Can a group buy a bigger book gift together?
Yes. A set of special editions, a reading nook upgrade or a year of book subscription is easy to split with a HintDrop group pot.
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