Have an avid reader on your list, but aren’t sure which genre they’re a fan of or which book they haven’t read? I got you.
Welcome to the Guerra Gift Guides!
From now until the week of Christmas, you can consider me your virtual shopping buddy (and I sincerely hope you will)! From beauty to books to clothing, food, fitness, and health products - I’m testing products all year long to narrow down the best of the best on the market. While I love writing your everyday, run-of-the-mill shopping guide, gift guides are my specialty. Please know that I take pride in finding the best gifts for my loved ones, and I take the same initiative and care when crafting these guides for all of you!
So, without further ado, let’s get to the gifts! This week, I’m tackling gifts for the book lovers on your list. Readers can be easy to shop for, or difficult to shop for. On the one hand, you could add another title to their TBR. I promise this is an excellent option and they will always love receiving a book (especially if it’s a book you love and want to share with them). But let’s say you don’t know what they haven’t already read. Or, you want to get them something that is book-related, but not a book.
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Below, I’ve rounded up 17 bookish gifts. One is, admittedly, a book - but it’s festive and one they likely haven’t picked up yet. Let me know in the comments below which of these items you loved most, and if there are any additional bookish presents the Beyond My Byline community should know about for holiday 2023!
(**Please note, prices are subject to change as sales start!**)
A Friendly Disclaimer: Beyond My Byline is reader-supported! When you buy through Amazon links in this post, I may earn an affiliate commission.
A Book of the Month Subscription
Photo Courtesy of Book of the Month
from $59.99, bookofthemonth.com
I’ve gifted Book of the Month to several people in my circle, all of whom enjoyed the service. Here’s how it works: Your lucky recipient can choose from 5 to 7 featured book picks per month for free (they can also choose up to two books to add to their box at a discounted rate) and it will be shipped to their door! If they’re not fast readers, no biggie. They can opt to skip the next month and resume the month after.
The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan
Photo Courtesy of Amazon
$11.99, amazon.com
I could write an entire roundup of Christmas books (and if you’d like one, let me know in the comments), but wanted to include this particular title because it was published in September, which means even the most avid readers might not have picked it up yet. Sarah Morgan’s latest drew me in at the title, but also the book’s cover. The story involves a single mom, a cozy hotel in the wintertime, and a book club on holiday. If that doesn’t sound quintessentially Christmas-y to you, I don’t know what will.
A Bookshop.org Gift Card
from $10, bookshop.org
I learned about Bookshop.org when researching gifts that give back for BestProducts (coming soon). Unlike Amazon and Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org is pro-indie bookstores. When your giftee uses their gift card, they can either choose a local bookstore in their area to purchase from or opt for the site to donate their dollars to its general pool that supports independently owned shops.
A “Came for the Romance/Stayed for the Smut” T-Shirt
Photo courtesy of Probably Smut
$23, probablysmut.com
This one is for romance readers, who like their books steamy, steamier, and steamiest. Whether they’re quiet about their book taste or proudly add these titles to their Goodreads, lovers of smut will feel just as passionately about this t-shirt.
Mad Tea Party Homesick Candle
Photo courtesy of Storiarts
$40, storiarts.com
Lewis Carrol fans will pick up on this Alice in Wonderland reference as soon as the wrapping paper has been ripped off this quirky candle by Homesick. There’s been a boom of bookish candles in recent years, and you can’t go wrong with a classic-scented pick. Plus, Homesick’s are made from 100% soy wax, cotton wicks, and essential oils, so they’re safe to burn and sniff.
Colorful, Transparent Sticky Notes for Annotating
Photo courtesy of Amazon
$7.89, amazon.com
I’ve been thinking about the art of annotating recently. I used to underline passages all the time, but lately, I’ve caught myself dog-earring pages I want to remember for whatever reason. If you know a reader who takes detailed notes on the text, I love the look of these colorful transparent stickies to help keep them organized (and pens off the actual page).
A Flat Book Light
Photo courtesy of Amazon
$11.99, amazon.com
How cool is this flat book light? I’ve used plenty of those little clip-on lamps over the years. but ever since Emma Roberts revealed her book hack to Kelly Clarkson that she uses a hiking headlamp to read in the dark, I’ve been looking into alternatives. Here’s how this one works: It’s a transparent panel that gives off a soft, white light in the dark. Readers can simply place the board over the page they’re reading, and the illuminated panel will help them see the words. I like this for travel because it isn’t very in-your-face, you could use it on a plane or train and it won’t blind or disturb your fellow passengers.
An LED Neck Book Light
$21.99, amazon.com
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Now, for home, I’m digging the idea of an LED neck book light! No offense to my girl Emma - I think her idea is brilliant - but I don’t want to wear anything on my head when trying to go to sleep. Especially because I’ll have just applied all my skincare and the combination sounds messy. This light follows a similar design of a neck pillow, and illuminates both sides of the book at once!
A Reading Journal
Photo courtesy of Papier
$38, papier.com
Goodreads is a great resource for tracking their reads, but I have it on good authority that a lot of readers also have a love for writing and would enjoy putting pen to paper to track their progress. This reading journal from Papier has a lot of great prompts from page to page, plus it comes in a variety of cover options (but this library card cartoon caught my eye first).
A Personalized Ornament
Photo courtesy of Etsy
from $30, etsy.com
There are plenty of gorgeous bookish ornaments out there, but I thought this handmade option from designedRX on Etsy was particularly unique. When ordering this personalized ornament, choose how many titles you want included, and specify said titles for the creator. The 4” plastic ornament will then be filled with miniature sizes of all the titles you listed (up to 100 books). I’d probably recommend this pick as a treat-yourself option (because it can get pricy, depending on how many books a person has read in the year) but if you’re looking to splurge on someone special, check it out.
A Magical Book Mug
Photo courtesy of Etsy
from $10, etsy.com
My brother texted me this the other day and I thought it was the coolest thing! The majority of book lovers are also tea and/or coffee lovers. Add this awesome 3-D mug to their collection. Fill it with their favorite candy or a gift card to their favorite bookstore.
A Blind Date With A Book
Photo courtesy of Amazon
from $15, etsy.com
One of my best friends gifted me a Blind Date with a Book for my birthday this year, and I thought the concept was genius. If you’re not sure what book to gift a loved one who loves to read, let someone else do it for you and have it be a surprise - for you and your recipient! Simply choose from a list of genres, and how many *dates* you’d like to gift. (You can even include a link to their GoodReads, so the creators know which books they’ve read, and which they haven’t.) Each purchase comes with a complimentary bookmark, tea, and a Review postcard, so you aren’t just gifting a book. You truly are gifting an experience.
A Magnetic Bookmark
Photo courtesy of Uncommon Goods
$20, uncommongoods.com
Many readers (myself included) snuggle into bed, crack open a good book, and get sleepy within a few pages. This sassy magnet will make sure they don’t lose their place for the next night.
A “From The Library Of” Book Stamp
Photo courtesy of Zazzle
$25.64, zazzle.com
Know a book lover who’s a stickler about keeping track of their collection? This “From the Library Of” book stamp is so cute and old-school, which is sure to bring up some nostalgia. You can personalize the template, choose the size of the stamp, and the color of ink that will imprint on the page. Plus, if this particular design doesn’t scream “enter loved one’s name here,” Zazzle has other designs to choose from, too!
A First Edition Book Cover Art Print
Photo courtesy of Amazon
$65, etsy.com
This one is for the classic collectors. Choose from the list of titles available, and a first edition cover photo will be delivered in a shadow box-style frame ready to be hung in their home office, home library, etc. I’m partial to Pride and Prejudice, but who’s surprised?
A “Read Banned Books” Sweatshirt
Photo courtesy of Etsy
from $27.99, etsy.com
I’m a supporter of reading banned books, and loved this sweatshirt to spread the word. They can get the message out, and be cozy, too! You can even pair this sweatshirt with a banned book. Check out a list of banned titles here (note: this is just one of many).
A Page Magnifier
Photo courtesy of Amazon
$23.95, amazon.com
For readers who require assistance to see words on the page more clearly, this page magnifyer from MagniPros is highly rated on Amazon. You can get the device with legs or as a panel (similar to the flat book light). It operates via 24 SMD LED lighting, three color modes, and an anti-glare lens. With three AAA batteries, the device is engineered to last 100,000 hours.
OMG - I love some of these ideas for my sister who is always reading!! Especially the blind date book idea and the magnetic bookmark!! Thanks for the reccos!!
I loved them all!!!! You can do my shopping from your list!!!