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Do you want to shower the bookworm in your life with a special book lover gift box or non-book present? These bookish, unique gifts for readers are perfect for showing just how much you care about that book nerd in your life—and they just might change their reading lives for the better!
I won’t lie: sometimes the idea of buying or recommending a book as a personalized gift makes me a little anxious.
What if they don’t read that genre or like that author? What if the book just isn’t for them?
I get the hesitation. But don’t let your fear of choosing the wrong book keep you from getting the best literary-themed gift for your friend or loved one.
Here are the best book gift ideas out there for every type of reader, and many of them are inexpensive gifts for book lovers!
Gift Ideas for the Practical Book Lover
The practical book lover wants something they can and will use, no matter what.
If you have a picky reader or a mood reader on your hands, a book subscription box or service is a great idea. It also takes the mental load off for the busy mom who likes to read.
1. Book of the Month subscription service
Book of the Month is probably the most popular book subscription box out there, and it’s kind of like a choose-your-own-adventure box for readers looking for the latest buzzy books.
What I love about Book of the Month as a gift option is that you can choose a book or choose to skip, each and every month. The company won’t charge you if you don’t want a book that month, which is so nice. Check out the plans for gift options—trust me, the reader in your life will thank you.
2. Libro.fm audiobook subscription service
For the audiobook lover in your life or the reader who wants to get into listening to audiobooks, Libro.fm is an amazing company. Sending an audiobook credit or starting a membership for your bookish loved one is a practical and thoughtful gift idea.
Choose the credit bundle and your gift recipient can choose their own audiobooks while supporting a favorite local bookstore!
Also, did you know you can use the code MOLLIEREADS when you start a new membership to get two audiobooks for the price of one?!
3. Kindle Unlimited membership
The gift of unlimited reading? Are you serious? A Kindle Unlimited membership is the perfect gift, especially for the practical book lover! Just make sure they have a Kindle or the Kindle app (psssst, keep reading for a unique gift for readers that has to do with Kindle reading).
Just choose how long you want the membership to continue and select “This is a gift” at the bottom when you check out. It will prompt you to fill in the gift recipient’s email address and the date you want to send the gift. You can even send a personalized message!
Gift Ideas for the Book Lover and Writer
4. Annotating tools
If the reader in your life loves to annotate their books or jot down their thoughts about a book, consider giving them some small gifts to up their annotating game.
Fine-point pens, sticky notes, pen cases, and beautiful highlighters are all inexpensive gifts for book lovers, and the reader/writer in your life will definitely use them.
5. The Storymatic board game
This is a little silly, but so fun for the story lovers in your life! As far as gifts for book lovers (Amazon) go, I think the Storymatic board game is a great option to engage the whole family. As a plus, this game offers great writing prompts for writers experiencing a creative block.
RELATED: 7 Steps to Writing a Book for Children | Tips from an Editor
6. Book journal
You can’t go wrong with a beautiful book journal! If you’re purchasing something for a more minimalist reader, maybe stick to a blank notebook. But if you want to get super creative, check out My Reading Life: A Book Journal by Anne Bogel. It’s so gorgeous!
My favorite book journal? The Kunitsa Co. Reading Journal. It’s beautiful and simple, and in my opinion, it makes a beautiful and thoughtful gift for any book lover and writer.
7. Lapdesk
Every reader who loves to keep track of book quotes, book reviews, and journaling in general will so appreciate a solid lap desk.
Something that would hold a laptop and a book or a Kindle and a notebook.
8. Book sleeve
A gorgeous book sleeve like this one from from CPickeringCo is one of the best gifts for readers, especially if they like to write or annotate in their books!
You can keep sticky notes, book tabs, highlighters, pens, and the book (of course!) or e-reader in a book sleeve so everything is in one place when you travel.
Gift Ideas for the Gadget-Loving Bookworm
9. Neck-reading light
A tried-and-true book light is a great gift idea for book lovers—but is it unique? Not really. But a neck-reading light?! Now we’re talking!
In my opinion, this is among the best gifts for male book lovers, especially male book lovers who like to have all the gear.
10. Remote Control Page Turner for Kindle Reading
This is such a cool, unique gift for readers! A remote control page turner for Kindle reading is great for readers who may be disabled, have mobility issues or arthritis—or for readers who just want a break from holding an e-reader while lounging in bed!
Just make sure to tell your friend to adjust the margins on the screen so the clip doesn’t cover up any words. Otherwise, this is a unique gift for readers and an absolute game changer.
11. Wireless earbuds
If you want to find luxury gifts for book lovers that will completely transform a reader’s life, ear buds are the perfect choice.
Audiobook lovers who switch to wireless earbuds are able to tackle the TBR so much faster. Suddenly, you can listen to a book on the go, while you’re running around the house, washing dishes, folding laundry, working out, whatever!
My personal favorite is the Apple Airpods, but Sudio earbuds are pretty great, too. Wireless earbuds are definitely high on the list of gifts for book lovers that aren’t books.
Gift Ideas for the Stylish Book Lover
12. Bookish jewelry
You can find so many creative, bookish makers on Etsy! Book-related jewelry is a perfect, unique gift for readers. You may even be able to personalize it by finding a piece related to their favorite book or author.
This personalized book locket necklace is the cutest thing ever! This minimalist gold book bracelet is also stunning.
13. Bookish clothes
My favorite company for book-related T-shirts, sweatshirts, socks, and other accessories is Out of Print. What an adorable collection!
If the bookworm in your life already has all the books they need, a fun and cozy reader-themed outfit could be a unique gift.
I was gifted this Matilda T-shirt and a matching Matilda onesie when our daughter Tilly was born. A sweet literary gift for a new baby with a literary name!
My friend Lauren from @booksonherbrain has some adorable reader sweatshirts, too. This one is my favorite, personally!
14. Bookish bags
Book totes are the perfect gift for readers! This literary canvas tote bag is gorgeous, and I like the simplicity of this one. Library card tote bags are always a hit!
Now, this isn’t a tote bag, but this book-themed purse for literary lovers is the most beautiful handbag of all time?!
Gift Ideas for that Cozy Reader Aesthetic
15. Bookish mugs and pottery
I personally would like to buy this mug for every strong lady I know! Side note: TheNims on Etsy has amazing book lovers apparel, too!
Book-themed mugs or pottery in general are perfect book gifts for her or him! This One More Chapter pottery mug is so precious.
And if you’re looking for more personalized gifts for readers, you may want to get this custom bookshelf mug. You can add your friend’s favorite books to the mug, which is just soo sweet.
16. Magnetic poetry kit
These magnetic poetry kits are really fun stocking stuffers. I had these in college and kind of forgot about them. If you’re looking for something small to add to that cozy reader aesthetic, this is it.
17. Bathtub caddy tray
A bathtub caddy tray for your relaxing bath reading is the ultimate luxury gift for book lovers.
You can choose from so many different options, but I recommend finding one with a tablet stand and phone holder. A spot for your wine glass is a nice touch!
A bathtub caddy tray is the ideal gift for a mom in a busy season looking to read more for self-care.
18. Book ornament
This is obviously holiday specific, but a nice book ornament is a really classy gift for a book lover.
Personally, I always love receiving beautiful ornaments to put on my tree year after year. It’s not something I would really buy myself, and I like that it makes me think about the gift giver every year when decorating the tree!
This Little Library ornament is so cute. And I love this vintage stamped library due date card ornament for the library-loving bibliophile!
19. Invisible wall shelf
If you want to get a gift for the reader in your life that isn’t a book, you can’t go wrong with another book shelf!
Readers usually have too many books (ahem, guilty!), so a little invisible wall shelf would be a helpful gift to add to that cozy reader aesthetic.
20. Literary puzzles
Literary puzzles—the ultimate bookish gift to add to a cozy reader aesthetic! Is there anything more cozy than relaxing while listening to an audiobook and doing a puzzle?
This classic children’s books puzzle has 1,000 pieces, and this reader’s paradise puzzle perfectly captures that reader aesthetic!
21. Mapiful book art
Book art is a unique gift for readers that keeps on giving! I really love the way maps look when hung on the wall—and getting a map of your friend’s favorite setting in a beloved book would be such a special, personalized gift.
The Shadow of the Wind is one of my favorite books of all time, and I’ve always loved imagining The Cemetery of Forgotten Books in Barcelona. My map from Mapiful captured my love for this gorgeous book!
You can get 10% off your own Mapiful poster with my code MOLLIEREADS10. Customize everything from the location, design, and the text!
Gift Ideas for a Personalized, Bookish Touch
22. Personalized book stamp
A personalized book stamp is an excellent gift for book lovers. Usually they come with an ink pad, and you can choose from a variety of designs.
I tend to think simple is better, which is why I love this minimal design, but see what looks and feels the most like your bookish friend.
23. Book festival or local author event tickets
In my opinion, this is one of the best book gift ideas that aren’t books. Readers love to be a part of the book world, so do some research to see what book-related events are coming up near you!
Look up local book festivals where your friend lives, or find out if any author events are taking place at their favorite local book stores.
24. Little Free Library
Help your friend or loved one build a Little Free Library near them! This is a sweet, unique gift for readers that can benefit the whole community.
You can purchase an official charter sign and charter number for your friend so they can actually use the name Little Free Library.
All-in-One Gift Basket Ideas for Readers
If you want to get a basket full of small but lovely bookish delights, here are some items to include to make it special.
- A bag of literary tea (this literary tea sampler gift box is perfect)
- Book light
- Book darts, i.e., fancy bookmarks
- Book tracker notecards (these are adorable)
- Snacks (aka chocolate!)
- Book-themed candle (can’t go wrong)
I’m sure I could go on and on—as a reader myself, I love being cozy, and I love my bookish accessories, haha. I hope this helps you find several unique gifts for readers (that aren’t books) that the bookworm in your life will love and appreciate for years to come!
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