15 Gifts for Readers That Are Bookish, But Aren't Books

Alternative gift options for when their bookshelf is overly stocked.

I revisit a few gift guide themes every year; a list of gifts for readers is one of them.

Books have been my favorite things for as long as I can remember. I am possibly the slowest reader on the face of the Earth - I like to savor every last word - but that doesn’t stop me from adding title after title to my to-be-read pile, nor does it stop me from buying stacks of books every year. I will get to all of them.

In the meantime, I just like to be surrounded by the hardcovers and paperbacks and the millions upon millions of beautiful words each author wrote so carefully to convey their vision. I feel a kinship with every one of them. It makes me so emotional, so inspired, that sometimes I just sit with my collection in awe.

That’s why I find it so funny when people say I’m hard to shop for. Present me with your favorite book. You don’t even have to buy it for me. Lend me your copy. I’ll give it back (eventually… slow reader, remember?) - promise! In my opinion, people who read are the easiest to shop for. As long as you know their favorite genre or author or have access to their “Want To Read” list on GoodReads, you’re golden.

“But Julia, what if you don’t want to get them another book?”

I got you. There are plenty of gifts for readers that aren’t books. In fact, thanks to e-tailers like Etsy, it’s easy to find unique gifts for readers that are as thoughtful as they are cool. To prove it, I scoured the internet to find some of the best gifts for book lovers on the market and I’m excited to share what I found with you.

A Friendly Disclaimer: Beyond My Byline is reader-supported! When you buy through Amazon links in this post, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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TBR Jar

from $10, etsy.com

My TBR (to-be-read) list is constantly growing. So many books, so little time, right? This adorable and genius TBR Jar comes in two sizes - 12oz and 25oz - with the option of 25, 50, or 100 tokens designed to look like books. The tokens come blank, so you can write in the titles of books you want to read and pull a new title after you’ve finished another. You could also write the titles of the books you read as you go, creating a physical log of what you’ve read over the year, like an unplugged alternative to GoodReads.

Literature Every Day Interactive Mug

$28, uncommongoods.com

I mentioned this smart mug collection by UncommonGoods in my gifts for Dad's guide. I love the concept so much that I included its literature iteration on this list. Recipients can scan the QR code daily, and a new literary quote will pop up for 365 days of soundbites to feed their literature-loving soul.

Vintage Library Card Compact Purse Mirror

$15, etsy.com

Mirror compacts deserve a resurgence, so here I am, trying to make it happen. The accessory comes adorned with vintage library card dates and opens up to reveal not one but two mirrors. I love this for readers who are also beauty lovers because it’s nearly impossible to perform a touch-up without a mirror handy.

Aerie unREAL Cable Crew Sweater

$59.95, ae.com

I’ve made reading a ritual that includes a cup of something hot to drink, my favorite spot on the couch or bed, and comfy clothes. If anyone does comfy to perfection, it’s Aerie, and its cable crew (available in a handful of colors) is the quintessential reading sweater. You can wear it lounging and getting lost in a book, but when you need to tap back into reality, you’re already wearing a suitable top for social engagements.

Tea Forte Warming Joy Holiday Advent Calendar

$45, amazon.com

When I lived at home with my parents, 9 pm was tea time, every night. I’ve continued the tradition with my husband (though not as regularly), and Tea Forte is one of my favorite tea brands by far. Its various collections offer tea drinkers a myriad of flavors to try, and its tea gifts for 2024 are amazing in that they offer customers days’ worth of festive sips that are all so delicious. (My faves from this set are Pumpkin Spice, Jasmine Green, Citrus Mint, and Caramel Nougat!)

Cuayaes Reading Thinker Statue

$15.99, amazon.com

My mom (hi if you’re reading this!) has a few of these Cuayaes statues around her house, and I’ve always loved the simplistic elegance they bring to a room’s decor. If the reader on your list is also a collector or enjoys decorative trinkets like these, it’s a beautiful piece that represents the love of tuning out the world and tuning into a great book.

Snow Time Bath Bomb Set

$34, lush.com

Lush can take all of my money. I shop there constantly. Yes, even despite my being on their PR list. I go through Lush bath bombs like my husband goes through bottles of water - quickly. They’re the perfect way to elevate your bathtime, your *me* time, especially for those who enjoy a warm, bubbly soak with a good book (and maybe a glass of wine - I have yet to do this, but it sounds luxurious). I especially love this gift for readers who are moms. Trust me, they will thank you.

Snowflakes & Cashmere 3-Wick Candle

$26.95, bathandbodyworks.com

Reading sessions require setting the mood, and what better way to get cozy than to light a candle? Bath & Body Works 3-wick candles are my favorite, particularly this time of year. The brand has honed in on experiential scents - sniffs that make you feel a certain way, and that allow your mind to settle into the fantasy of wherever the aroma takes you. Sign me up for a storm of snowflakes and cashmere - I’ll just be over here, under a blanket, pretending I’m snowed in with just my books for entertainment.

Seenlast Candle Warmer Lamp

$29.91, amazon.com

I noted this awesome candle warmer at my mother-in-law’s (hi!) house and my sister-in-law (hey Liana Wood! - see what I did there?!) has one too! It melts the candle wax with electric heat on a timer of 2, 4, or 8 hours. There’s also a dimming option and four brightness levels. It looks sophisticated and extends your candle’s shelf life.

Library Check-Out Card Bookmark

$4.44, etsy.com

I mean, how awesome are these!? KateyReads on Etsy collects library check-out cards from libraries all over the world that date from the 1950s to the 1990s. They’re authentic, they’re vintage, and laminated for longevity.

Book Christmas Ornament

$9.95, amazon.com

I’m almost certain that I included a similarly designed mug in my previous “gifts for book lovers” guides, but oh well. Here is the ornament version. Still so awesome, and kind of cooler because it looks like a cracked wrecking ball stuffed with stacked bookshelves. You’re welcome!

Banned Books Puzzle & Reading Checklist

$18, uncommongoods.com

Rather than Google a list of banned books, this 500-piece puzzle gives them a more creative checklist. Puzzles are fun to do in general, but this one is even better for bibliophiles because it gives them even more titles to add to their TBR.

Bookshop.org Gift

from $10, bookshop.org

This one is self-explanatory, right? They like books, but you don’t know what books they’ve already read and shelved, so here’s a gift card to say “Get what you want, leave what you don’t!”

grace & stella Under Eye Masks

$21.95, amazon.com

For the readers who stay up all night into the early morning telling themselves “Just one more chapter” or “Just one more page,” there are grace & stella Under Eye Masks. They’re award-winning for a reason; they make your eyes feel and look refreshed after pulling an all-nighter in a fictional world with fictional characters.

Literary Clock

from $199, uncommongoods.com

OK, so. This is obviously a splurge item, but how awesome is this Literary Clock? Instead of conventional numbers, the clock shows a story excerpt synchronizing with the current time. It’s programmed with over 13,000 literary quotes from works spanning six centuries that can be shown every minute, five minutes, 30 minutes, or hourly, depending on preference. If your recipient works at a desk, this would make an awesome reader gift.