You love books. You probably have a few sitting on your nightstand, a TBR that has developed its own ecosystem, and at least one title you won’t stop recommending to everyone you know.
But that doesn’t mean you need another book.
Sometimes the best gift for a reader is something that lets them live with their love of books beyond the pages. Something they can wear, display, use, play with, talk about, or experience.
And that’s where bookish gifts get much more interesting.
Instead of another novel to squeeze onto an already-full shelf, you might find something that makes their home feel a little more literary. Something for the reader who loves writing as much as reading. Something that turns a book conversation into a game night. Or an experience that gives them a reason to get out of the house and do something bookish in the real world.
So if you’re shopping for someone who loves books but you’d rather not give them another book, I’ve rounded up thoughtful bookish gifts that celebrate the reading life without adding another title to their TBR.
Because sometimes the best way to give a reader something bookish is to think beyond the book.
If you’re looking for gifts matched specifically to the way someone reads, start with my guide to thoughtful gifts for book lovers they’ll actually use.
Wear Your Bookishness
For the reader whose love of books doesn’t stop when they close the cover, a little literary flair can follow them everywhere. These gifts let them wear, carry, or quietly display their bookish identity without requiring anyone to ask what they’re reading.
A great place to start looking for bookish gifts that aren’t books is bookish clothing! If you don’t know the reader’s favorite genre, book, series, or fandom, a t-shirt that speaks to the value of reading in general is a good choice.
If you know the reader’s favorite genre, book, series, or fandom, start with that! A T-shirt or other gear that shows their devotion to their fictional family (i.e. book boyfriend) will show that you are paying attention.
Purse charms are an often-overlooked bookish accessory. These make a thoughtful gift for a book lover that’s not a book.
Non-book gifts for book livers can still look like books. Bags that look like books are so fun! This unique reader gift adds a touch of whimsy to any outfit.
Make Home a Little More Literary
Books have a funny way of becoming part of a home, even when they’re not being read. These gifts bring a little more literary personality into everyday spaces, from the walls to the coffee table to the cozy corner where they inevitably end up with a book.
If the reader has a green thumb, combine two of their passions in one gift! This bookish gift could be paired with a living plant.
Crafty readers might enjoy building a little model bookstore to adorn their bookshelf as decor (two gifts in one). #BookishGiftsThatArentBooks for the win!
Ideal for book enthusiasts, art collectors, or anyone who loves unique decor, this bookshelf is a thoughtful gift. It encourages creativity, soothes the mind, and provides endless enjoyment as both a display and sensory experience.
A decorative and practical gift for book lovers. This slim vase stands upright next to their novels and collectibles, creating a coordinated literary display.
For Readers Who Like to Write, Track, and Collect
Some readers don’t just read books. They record what they’ve read, write down favorite passages, keep lists, collect recommendations, and generally turn their reading lives into something worth remembering. These gifts give all that bookish thinking somewhere to go.
A beautiful book journal gives the reader a space to gather their thoughts and opinions about the book. Great for the reader who forgets the plot 10 seconds into her next book but still wants to recommend it to a friend.
Technically, this bookish gift is a book. Try not to hold it against me.
As an alternative to a reading journal, readers can pair each book with its own review bookmark. It lives inside the book, making it twice as functional and taking up no extra space!
Readers who love to make margin notes may be constantly searching for their pen. This cute bookmark solves that problem and looks super cute while doing it.
Don’t let the simplicity of this gift fool you! Clear sticky notes are awesome for annotators who don’t want to mess up their pretty editions but still need to make notes.
If you’re interested in making more sense of your own reading habits, my Intentional Reader Reset takes a softer approach to building a reading life that actually fits you.
For People Who Love Talking About Books
For some readers, finishing the book is only the beginning. They want to discuss the ending, argue about the characters, recommend it to three friends, and hear what everyone else thought. These gifts are for the reader who knows books are often more fun when there’s someone else to talk to about them.
Bookshelf games take all your favorite classic games and organize them on a bookshelf! So clear, so elegant. No more awkward stacks. Another fun-filled bookish gift that is not a book.
Romantasy is a party game for romantasy readers. “Adult Party Game of Unhinged Choices for Book Lovers & Friends.”
If the reader is in a book club or starting one, these cards might help break the ice at their next gathering. Getting conversations started without putting them on the spot.
Book Club readers who want to keep track of what their group is reading, and what they thought about each book will appreciate this Book Club journal!
Okay, okay. This bookish gift is technically a book too, but this one they write with their friends!
Give Them a Bookish Experience
When you don’t want to give someone another object, give them something to do instead. A bookstore outing, literary event, subscription, or other bookish experience can turn their love of reading into something they get to participate in, not just something they own.
You could even turn the gift itself into an outing with a bookstore crawl, especially if the person you’re shopping for would rather spend an afternoon browsing shelves than unwrap another object.
And if you’re shopping for someone who genuinely doesn’t need more stuff, you might want to skip the physical gifts altogether. I’ve also rounded up gifts for book lovers who have everything, including upgrades, clever solutions, and experiences.
Sometimes the Best Bookish Gift Has Nothing to Do With Reading
Being a book lover doesn’t mean every gift needs to involve a book.
Sometimes it’s a literary necklace they can wear everywhere. A piece of art that makes their home feel a little more like them. A beautiful notebook for all the thoughts that appear while they’re reading. A game that turns book talk into an evening with friends. Or an experience that gives them a reason to wander through a bookstore, hear an author speak, or spend an afternoon doing something they already love.
That’s the fun of bookish gifts that aren’t books. They celebrate the life around reading, not just the reading itself.
So the next time you’re shopping for a reader, you don’t have to ask, What book should I buy them?
Try asking:
What part of being a reader do they love most?
You might find the perfect gift has been sitting just outside the bookshelf all along.
May your life be as full as your bookshelf and as long as your TBR list.
Happy Reading!
0 Comments