Dear Reader:
As someone who cohabitates with over 2,000 books, I feel extremely qualified to wax poetic about the best gifts for book lovers. There’s a lot of overlap between those who love to eat and those who love to read: both are deeply sensory experiences that appeal to people with a strong sense of curiosity and adventure. And while the bookworm in your life is never going to say no to something like a Barnes & Noble gift card, maybe you don’t know their reading tastes as well as you think you do. Or maybe, inconceivably, they already have “too many” books.
What I’m trying to say is this: book people don’t just want things to read, they also want things to enhance their reading experience. There’s a wide range of gift ideas that could fall into this category. You could get them a book light, for example, because they probably spent a good portion of their childhood reading under the covers after bedtime, or a tin of luxury tea inspired by their favorite cozy mystery series.
When in doubt, ask yourself: would this item feel at home in the crumbling Victorian library they wish they lived in? If not, choose one of these bibliophile-approved gift ideas instead.
Scents That Evoke A Dark, Dusty Library
The next best thing to living in a dark, dusty library is making your home smell like a dark, dusty library—in a chic way. These scented candles have notes of wood and varnish to evoke their book-laden dream home. For something truly unexpected, Diptyque’s perfumed bracelet will give them a hint of scent every time they turn a page.
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A Comfy, Cozy Blanket
What’s better than reading a book? Reading a book under a blanket. And while there are many blankets to choose from, I have personally spent countless hours under all three of these blankets, and can confirm that they’re the only ones you need. If you want classic library vibes, go for a Pendleton or a Chappy Wrap. The weighted, chunky-knit Nuzzie is perfect for falling asleep in the middle of your “last chapter,” while Pretty Rugged’s faux-fur blanket is extremely cozy and water-resistant, so you won’t have to worry if a plot twist makes you spill your tea.
Harney & Sons Tea
Speaking of tea, it’s scientifically proven that readers are also tea people, and Harney & Sons makes some of the best tea around. My kitchen counter feels incomplete if there isn’t a tin of their floral, citrus-y Paris blend on it, but if you know someone who is obsessed with the @murdershewore Instagram account, get them the Agatha Christie-inspired gift set. If you have holiday gifting decision fatigue, the brand’s sampler packs are always a good choice.
A Self-Heating Mug So Their Tea Never Goes Cold
It’s all too easy to get lost in a good book and have your cup of tea turn tepid. Help your favorite bookworm avoid this problem altogether by gifting them a self-heating mug. I have an Ember, and it has saved me countless trips to the microwave to zap my tea for 10 seconds only to have to put my book down 20 minutes later and do it all over again. BA Contributor Anne Cruz is a fan of the Ohom ceramic mug, which comes with a warming plate and a lid to keep it insulated.
A Sleek Wooden Page Holder
When you read for hours on end, holding your book open with one hand (because the other is holding your mug of tea) can lead to some serious hand cramps. This wooden page holder is designed to be worn on the thumb, helping keep pages flat and easy to read. It comes in multiple sizes, including a mini version for budding readers.
A Book Stand To Keep Their Arms From Getting Tired
Any avid reader knows the particular pain of having sore arms from holding up a book, which is why book stands make some of the best gifts for book lovers. They can keep their current favorite book on a book niche without ever losing their page. Bonus: the stand doubles as a caddy to hold a mug, reading glasses, and a reading journal. If you want to give them the ultimate bookworm gift, spring for the Levenger adjustable reading table. And if they’re constantly cycling through the hundreds of cookbooks on their bookshelf, a cookbook-specific book stand will take permanent residence in their kitchen.
Lights For Late-Night Reading Sessions
A book light may seem like an obvious gift idea, but it’s also a really good one. A classic clip-style LED light makes a great stocking stuffer, while these more design-focused options can add a bookish element to their home decor.
A Fountain Pen and a Great Notebook
Fact: anyone who loves to read can never have too many pens and notebooks. I tried different fountain pens for years but never fell in love—until I discovered the Kaweco Sport. Now, I have one for my desk, and one for each of my many tote bags. It’s a great entry-level fountain pen that can hold up to serious wear and tear.
Appointed’s spiral-bound notebooks are incredibly sturdy thanks to their book cloth covers and brass bindings. The pages are incredibly smooth and pleasant to write on, but not so smooth that your ink will smear if you look at them the wrong way. These are the only notebooks I use.
A Book Tote With Dark Academia Vibes
If you’re shopping for the perfect gift for someone who is physically incapable of leaving the house without at least one book, this Oxford Book Tote is both extremely practical and will make them feel like a character in their favorite dark academia series. It’s made from water-resistant waxed canvas that will protect their favorite book if they get caught in the rain, and it has multiple interior and exterior pockets.
A Bookmark That Will Make Them Feel Seen
Any bookworm needs at least a dozen or so bookmarks, but for the holidays, go for one that reflects their unique reading style.
One Of Our Favorite Food Books
It’s no secret that BA staffers love to read, so we had to put a few of our favorite novels on here. From fine dining thrillers to a charming memoir of growing up in one of NYC’s most beloved restaurants, the food-obsessed bookworm in your life will be delighted to add one (or all!) of these to their bookshelves.
A Coffee Table Book That Will Help Them Plan Their Next Vacation
Do you know someone who has several Pinterest boards that are just stunning photos of libraries? Get them this coffee table book that they can flip through while planning a trip to see one of the world’s most beautiful libraries.
A Barnes & Noble Gift Card
You know what? Forget what I said at the beginning of this list. Get them one of those cool gifts I listed above (and if you’re my husband reading this, get me the Levenger Reading Table), but also get them (and me) a Barnes & Noble gift card. Because there is no such thing as too many books—and there’s really nothing a book lover wants more than an excuse to wander a bookshop.