Gifts For Book Lovers
We all know that sinking feeling. You've done your research, scoured their shelves, and you're fairly confident this is a book they haven't read. They unwrap it, smile politely and say "Oh. That's a good one. I've read it." Foiled again.
The problem is that book lovers use e-readers, borrow from libraries, get advance copies — it's impossible to know what they've already read. Which is why the best gifts for book lovers are rarely books at all. They're the things that make the reading life richer — the chair, the lamp, the journal, the perfectly chosen mug. The things that say: I see you, and I know exactly what you love.
This is my guide to the best gifts for readers — tried, tested and recommended from one book lover to another.
(The products and photos included are just examples in each category. I have no affiliation with any of these companies. Try and support your local independent retailer where possible.)
Cosy Reading Accessories
There's a particular kind of contentment that comes from being properly settled with a book. The right chair, the right light, something warm to pull around you. Getting your body into that perfect position so that you can disappear into a book for hours.
These are the gifts that make that happen.
The Reading Chair
When I moved into my apartment a couple of years ago, the very first thing I bought was a winged armchair. It was love at first sight; I immediately pictured myself beside the large bay window, disappearing into a book — and that's exactly what happened. If the reader in your life has a favourite reading spot, maybe it's time to upgrade it.
My much loved armchair
Blanket / Throw
Readers will know the feeling: curled up on the couch, lost in a very fine book, content as a purring cat. The one thing that would increase your comfort is something soft to pull around you. A throw with a bookish design makes the perfect gift — warm and practical for the colder months and cooler evenings.
Reading Pillow
Just like a cat can sleep anywhere, a reader can curl up wherever takes their fancy. Reading in bed is a particular pleasure, but getting the position right takes some experimentation. A simple orthopaedic reading pillow sorts that out.
I honestly can’t recommend this enough - I find pillows don’t provide enough support, and my back has been particularly grateful for this purchase.
Hammock
Imagine this idyllic garden scene — folding chair, blanket, glass of wine, last of the evening light? Take it one step further with a hammock. The ultimate luxury gift for the reader in your life. No trees to tie it to? They come with a stand. Probably not much use in a Irish summer, as it would probably just end up collecting rainwater or covering my neighbours hedge.
Book Holder Stand
No matter how comfortable you get in bed, reading for long periods can leave your arms and wrists aching. This lightweight, malleable book holder, which is a mini beanbag, solves that — handy on the sofa, in bed, or propped on the breakfast table. There's a nifty little plastic strip at the front that keeps the pages in place.
Combined with the reading pillow above, it’s a wonder I get out of bed somedays. Your wrists will love you for this, and it can help with neck strain too. Haven’t used it as a pillow yet so can’t comment on that, and I’m pretty sure it won’t float in the bath.
Outdoor Rocking Chair
When the sun does come out, why not retire to the garden to a rocking chair and a good book? As the last of the warmth leaves the evening, call for someone to bring you a fringed blanket. And hey, bring a glass of wine while you're at it. Ain't life peachy?
Tech Accessories
E-Reader
I was one of those reluctant readers who couldn't see myself buying an e-reader — I love books as objects, the covers, the feel of the page. I felt like this right up until the point I realised every flat surface in my house became a shelf whether it wanted to be or not.
I now appreciate my e-reader, not as much as physical books, but it's portable, I can adjust the type size (important for old eyes), and it syncs with my phone so I'm never without something to read. An e-reader is one of those gifts that once received, you wonder how you managed without. It still surprises me how many readers have resisted the use of one.
They last too - I bought my paperwhite back in 2016.
E-Reader Case
If the book lover in your life already has an E-Reader, fear not - a cover can make a great gift. There are lots to choose from, such as the slim and lightweight, with a magnetic catch and a swivel stand for propping — essential in bed or lying by the pool, allowing hands free reading. As well as protecting the screen from scratches, some covers also automatically turn the power off when closed, thus saving the battery.
And there’s no judging a book by it’s cover either - you can happily sit on the train and read ‘Fifty shades of hay’ (rural erotica) and none of your fellow passengers will be any the wiser.
Floor Lamp
Winter evenings in your favourite armchair, rain battering the window, floor lamp on, reading for a couple of blissful hours. Get one that's dimmable and flexible with various light modes and brightness levels to create that perfect ambience. One of the first purchases in my apartment to light up my reading corner for all seasons.
Clip-on Reading Light
We’ve already featured book stands and pillows to make reading in bed as comofortable as possible, and it’s important not to forget about light. Easy to clip to a headboard, a bedside table, or the book holder stand featured above, a clip on reading light is flexible and dimmable so as not to disturb any slumbering bedfellows. Smaller versions clip on to hardbacks.
Bluetooth Sleep Mask with Speaker
Sleep hygiene is something people pay a lot of attention to these days. This nifty device blocks out light and lets you listen to an audiobook (maybe one about sleep) or podcast through built-in speakers — perfect for drifting off mid-chapter. I’ve found this particularly useful and it also works well if you like to listen to yoga nidras or guided meditations.
Bluetooth Under-Pillow Speaker
Perhaps you don’t want to use masks or headphones - what about putting a bluetooth speaker under the pillow? Loud enough for you to hear, quiet enough to not disturb others, and handy if you are a side sleeper. These sit snugly under the pillow, and let the story carry you off. Though if you’re anything like me, you’ll wake up and have to rewind multiple chapters each night.
Home and Decor
Book Nook
A book nook is a miniature world created within a bookshelf — a diorama of an alleyway, the inside of a small house, an entire scene in miniature. They're thought to have originated with a Japanese artist around 2018 and have become genuinely enchanting objects. Part of the fun is that you build the interior parts yourself, making it a great gift to put together together. Not just a beautiful decoration but a puzzle as well. Just think - if owning hundreds of books wasn't enough, now you can live inside them too.
Bookends
I had so many stacks of books that I started referring to the bedroom as "the quiet area near biography." Unique bookends keep their unrestrained growth in check. Because as every reader knows, you can never, ever, have enough books.
Bookcase
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a reader in possession of a lot of books is in need of more bookcases. These beautiful pieces of furniture come in various shapes and sizes, as you utilise every bit of space in turning your home into a library.
Bath Tray
A couple of chapters in the bath before bed is hard to beat, especially after a tough day. Most tray sits across the bath, have a slot for an e-reader and sometimes a holder for a wine glass. Just remember that E-readers don’t float and to get out when the water gets cold.
Stationery and Personalised Gifts
Journal
I know many people prefer using their phone to save their favourite ideas, thoughts and quotes, but for me there’s nothing like opening a journal and seeing that pristine white page. Before you scribble all over it. I’ve spoken about morning pages before, and there’s something about opening a beautiful bound journal in the morning whilst you wait for the coffee to brew that always gets me.
Fountain Pen
Some of us remember how to write, right? Maybe the book lover in your life is like me and loves the scratch of the pen as it sits snugly between finger and thumb, and you connect the page to your body and let your thoughts spill out. Can’t do that on your phone.
Book Stamp
A personal book stamp is a wonderful way to mark your collection; custom engraved, they leave your own imprint inside your books. No more arguments about lending a book to a friend and them ‘forgetting’ to return it because they thought it was theirs. And when you’ve gone to the big dusty library in the sky, your descendants will remember just how well read you were as they divide up your possessions.
Mug
Not everything has to be expensive. A mug with a good bookish quote is a small, thoughtful gift for any occasion.
The Gift Card
One thing that readers love more than almost anything is browsing their local bookshop. Show your support for your local independent bookseller with a gift card. It's tougher than ever for the smaller guys to compete, but they give personal recommendations, host author signings, and are the heart of the reading community. A gift card there is never wrong.
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That’s all I have for you. I hope there’s something in the list above that might be a suitable gift for the booklover in your life, and if not. perhaps it’s sparked a few ideas. Let me know in the comments below if you can think of anything else I may have missed.