Welcome everyone,
The holiday season is coming and this forum is here to help with gift ideas for the book lovers in your life. Use this thread to ask for and suggest books and book-related items for your friends and family.
Happy holidays and enjoy your reading!
I enjoy paperbacks and have a large collection. However, my Kindle Paperwhite has been the best addition to my library. It lets me read in places I couldn’t before, especially in bed without waking up my wife. If you have someone who loves reading, a Kindle could be a great gift this holiday season.
As for books, I’ll recommend Cormac McCarthy’s Border Trilogy that I’m currently reading. Amazing writing, relatable characters, and captivating storytelling.
Another fun idea could be to take your loved one to your favorite bookshop. Spend some time together, pick out a couple of books, and if they have one, pet the bookstore kitten.
Cheers, and happy holidays!
@Dana
I agree about e-readers!
That said, it’s a good idea to talk to the person you’re gifting before buying an e-reader (especially a Kindle).
I’m not sure if you’re referring to Kindle as a brand or just e-readers in general, like people saying all bandages are “Bandaids”. Not all e-readers are the same, and when I was looking for one, I avoided Kindle due to the ads and how little space is dedicated to the library.
TL;DR: e-reader, yes! Kindle, maybe! And definitely talk to the person first!
Edit to add: Funny thing, I was set on the Kobo Clara 2e. Then I thought about a color e-reader for knitting/crocheting magazines. I ended up thinking, I can just use a cheap tablet instead.
I realized I already had a 6-year-old tablet I wasn’t using, so I bought a screen protector and deleted all apps except reading ones. It’s turned out to be a great e-reader.
The only downside is it doesn’t fit in my purse, but it was basically free. I’ll use it until it dies, then get a real e-reader later.
Second edit: I found a free app to dim and warm the screen since it was a bit too bright and blue.
E-ink can be a great choice for anyone with vision issues.
I have good eyesight and don’t have to think about that when choosing an e-reader, so thanks for bringing it up. 
I love audiobooks too, and some e-readers can handle them!
Consider giving a gift certificate to a local bookstore, and it’s even better if it’s a small business!
I have a few small independent bookstores nearby, and they appreciate the support.
Often people choose Amazon for convenience, but if you’re treating someone, why not help a local shop instead?
If you want to make it extra nice, think about including a gift card for a nearby coffee shop or bakery to make it a fun, complete gift.
@Noe
I love this idea!
I can’t speak for all these suggestions, but here’s a list of book-related items:
A customized book embosser is a great gift for readers so they can mark their books and let others know who they belong to. It also personalizes their favorite books.
Pearl said:
A customized book embosser is a great gift for readers so they can mark their books and let others know who they belong to. It also personalizes their favorite books.
Custom ink stamps can work for this too!
Pearl said:
A customized book embosser is a great gift for readers so they can mark their books and let others know who they belong to. It also personalizes their favorite books.
This is a great idea, I hadn’t thought of it! Thanks for sharing!
I gave someone a book about writers’ favorite books. It’s kind of low-level literary criticism.
Ridge said:
I gave someone a book about writers’ favorite books. It’s kind of low-level literary criticism.
Nice. What’s the title of the book?
A reading log might be helpful for someone who wants to read more but feels unmotivated or struggles for any reason. It’s also nice for anyone who wants to keep a record for future reference or pleasure. It can track the titles you read and your thoughts on the books, and many have boxes for pages read. I’m excited to see how many pages I’ve read by the end of the year. Plus, they’re real notebooks, not digital, so nobody can judge your choices or your page numbers if you DNF a book.
@Noe
I use this one and really like it! https://novellyyourscandles.com/product/2023-reading-tracker/
Many of these ideas are UK-specific. If you’re ordering from outside the UK, be aware there are planned Royal Mail strikes affecting shipping times, so consider ordering early. I have personal experience with all these sellers.
Homeware, clothing, and accessories
Bookishly
Literary Emporium
Clothing and accessories only
Popsy
Joanie
Rooby Lane
Posters
Spineless Classics
Books and gift cards
Your/their local independent bookshop
National book tokens (UK only)
Bookshop.org
Waterstones, as they pay some tax in the UK
Subscriptions
Graphic Novel Station
The Petersfield Bookshop Patreon
Their favorite author’s Patreon
Charity donations
Your/their local library
The Reading Agency
Book Trust
Bookmarks are a simple gift idea. If you’re on a budget, you can buy some pretty, thick paper from a craft store, use a hole punch at the top, and add a ribbon or some colorful yarn. I’ve made these for Mother’s Day, but they would work for any holiday.
Book-themed items are really popular right now, so why not find something related to their favorite books? A coffee mug with a favorite quote, an accessory for a favorite character, or even tickets to an adaptation (even if we know the book is usually better!) could work. Something simple like a bookmark or a notepad would also be nice.
Speaking of bookmarks, they come in many shapes and sizes today. You can find hand-painted ones, resin-filled ones, ones attached to a toy, etc. Enjoy yourself!
I plan to treat myself to a copy of The Night Circus (I read it in college and haven’t had a chance to reread) and the entire Anne of Green Gables series.
Happy Holidays!
I discovered Neil Postman’s “Amusing Ourselves to Death” this year, so I’m asking for more of his books this Christmas.
Libro.fm is a fantastic gift for audiobook fans! It also supports local indie bookstores while providing audiobooks.
I would suggest cute book nook inserts to decorate your bookshelves. They come in different themes, and some are DIY options, which is an added bonus. They look beautiful in my opinion.