If you’re an avid book reader like me, you might feel like you’re living in your own personal library. I’m surrounded by books, books, and more books. So, when Christmas or my birthday rolls around, I secretly hope my friends won’t buy me any. Besides, there are plenty of other fun things to buy for book lovers.
Here are my top eight gift ideas for readers.
amber book lamp
Price: From $14
Amber reading lights are designed to eliminate (or at least reduce) eye strain while reading at night. For the ultimate reading experience, consider buying an amber book lamp with a clip-on feature. Your giftee can clip the lamp to their bedside table for some late-night reading or pack it in their suitcase for a round-the-world trip.
You can buy amber-toned book lights on Amazon for just $18. My pick is battery-operated, making it one of the best gifts for readers who are always on the go. There are no wires or plug sockets – just pure, uninterrupted reading bliss.
book vase
Price: From $18
Of all our gift ideas for readers, this is arguably the most romantic. If flowers aren’t enough for the literary lover in your life, why not buy them a vase as well? True to the name, book vases are cast in the shape of a book, with your choice of recognizable titles.
If you want to double down on the nature theme, buy Steel Mill & Co’s The Secret Garden vase. Modeled after the literary classic of the same name, this vase features a beautiful floral design that is sure to complement flowers from every season.
And if you want to make your vase even more special, you can customize it with some of your giftees favorite book titles on Etsy.
literary puzzle
Price: $15-$25
There’s nothing better than a present that combines two of your favorite things. Laurence King Publishing made waves with its “The World of” puzzle series, including literary legends such as Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, James Joyce, and many more.
One of my favorites is The World of Jane Austen, which you can buy on Amazon for $21.99. This puzzle was shortlisted for the 2021 Gift of the Year Awards and contains 1,000 pieces, packed with over 60 characters from the Austen literary universe. Look closely, and you’ll spot Mr. Darcy at Pemberley or Mr. Knightly strolling around his gardens.
Bookcase – turn your phone into an e-reader
Price: $49.99 $39.99
Help your loved one do more reading on the device they already have – their smartphone! Bookcase is less than half the price of a Kindle and provides an equally ergonomic e-reading experience.
Compatible with iPhone and Android, Bookcase provides grips on both sides of your phone so you can hold it more comfortably and enjoy a clear view of your screen while reading.
Plus, Bookcase carries an embedded NFC tag for creating user shortcuts. With the companion app, you can tell Bookcase which of your favorite reading apps to open and which phone settings to toggle (Do Not Disturb, Reading Mode, etc.) when your phone is connected. The next time you place your phone into Bookcase, your settings will trigger automatically.
Bookcase is perfect for any giftee who loves to scroll the morning news, cuddle up and read on the kindle app, or simply wants to ditch doomscrolling and build a better reading habit.
green banker lamp
Price: From $52
You might recognize green banker lamps from movies. The gold stalk, green lampshade, and pull-cord switch create a stylish, recognizable silhouette that fills every room with a sense of Hollywood glamour. They’re great for reducing eye strain too.
With this stylish lamp by their side, your bookish friend can read until the early hours of the morning. This is one of the best gifts for readers who already have all the usual bibliophile gifts. If you buy this for your book-loving friend, you’ll definitely get points for ingenuity!
bookbinding kit
Price: From $18
Readers tend to be creative, so it makes sense to add a DIY gift to this list. Bookbinding kits are brilliant gifts for crafty friends: not only are you giving them a gift, but you’re also giving them a new hobby.
Simple bookbinding kits start from $18, and more extensive kits can cost hundreds of dollars. Why not start with something simple but comprehensive? Then, if your friend discovers a love for bookbinding, they can upgrade their kit.
Custom library stamp
Price: $10-$20
Kindles and expensive lamps aside, this is one of the best gifts for readers on a budget. A custom library stamp is exactly what it says on the tin: a stamp that comes complete with your giftee’s name.
There are all sorts of custom library stamps on Etsy. You can get a simple stamp or opt for a stamp embosser for an even more professional look. Embossers tend to be more expensive, but you can get either for $10-$20.
Most stamps say, “From the library of…” When you make a purchase, simply add your friend’s name, and wait for your personalized gift to arrive.
bookends
Price: From $15
Sometimes, the simplest gifts are the best. Literature lovers understand the struggle of not having bookends. We’ve all tried to transform miscellaneous objects into bookends, but nothing works as well as the real thing.
There are so many bookends out there that there’s bound to be something specific for your loved one. If they love gothic novels, buy skull bookends. If they’re a generalist, order bookends with their initials. From plain plastic bookends to mountain shaped bookends, the sky is the limit.
