Unwrap the best gifts for readers and bookworms in your life

Our guide to the best gifts for bookworms.

best gifts for readers and book lovers

by Arabella Horspool |
Updated on

To help you find the best gifts for readers and bookworms in your life, we’ve scoured the internet and created this gift guide. If you're looking to please any budding book buff, consider our picks below. After all, we all know a bookworm - and in theory, they should be the easiest people in the world to buy gifts for. We say ‘should’ because, in an ideal world, we’d simply buy them a new book. But, they already have a reading list longer than 'War and Peace'.

So, how can we surprise our book-obsessed loved ones? Yes - looking for book-related gifts for readers, can be tricky to get right - but we recommend grabbing something that they wouldn't expect. Thankfully, the internet is full of weird and smart gadgets and gifts that make perfect presents. This article is a real page-turner - well, mouse-scroller.

Best gifts for readers at a glance:

Best for organised bookworms: Butterfly Gold Metal Book Ends - Buy now on Oliver Bonas
Best for a book bag: Bookworm Shopping Tote Bag - Buy now on Etsy
Best personalised gift for a reader: Penguin Books-Inspired Personalised Book Mug - Buy now on Etsy

Yours Magazine has not left any page unturned. Below, there are presents for readers and bookish accessories that are out of this world; including gifts to join their growing library of alphabetised paperbacks in their smart book storage.

From classic picks (like reading lights and customisable bookmarks) to personalised book stamps and even the best e-readers, if you're looking for gifts for book lovers that aren't books we have found it all. Whether your friend is a fiction lover or prefers to dabble into something a little more real, there is a choice for every type of reader.

How we tested the best gifts for book lovers

Many of our team members are avid book readers who already had a lot of brilliant book-related gifts to recommend. They have been careful as to select gifts for book lovers that aren't books (although we have sprinkled in a few here and there), as any major bookworm will tell you that they've unintentionally been given a book they've already read at least a couple of times...

Best gifts for book lovers 2024

Tested

Best for a bookmark gift

Papier Cloud BookmarkPapier
Price: $6.80 (was £8)

www.papier.com

We love this trendy Papier bookmark. It's available in this stylish cloud design and it comes nicely presented in a paper sleeve. It's lightweight and it slots nicely onto the page, so there's no need to dog ear your books or use receipts and random bits of paper from around the house.

If you're one of those on-the-go readers who always has a book with them, you'll be pleased to know that it's also made from flexible yet durable metal, so it shouldn't get damaged whenever you need to throw it into your bag.

Pros

  • Durable, lightweight brass
  • Easy to use - simply slots onto your page

Cons

  • Only one size option

Tested

Best for a budget

While being a bookworm means a person continuously having their nose in a book, it also means acquiring more books at an unreadable rate. If you know someone with piles of books here, there and everywhere, then this 'Yes I Really Do Need All These Books' might just be the perfect gift.

I found the mug to be the perfect size for hot drinks, although I use it as an extra bit of storage on my bookcase for my bookmarks and reading light. The print is a good size and the text is easy to read.

Pros

  • Can be heated in the microwave or cleaned in the dishwasher
  • Handle shape makes it comfortable to hold

Cons

  • Not suitable for personalisation

Tested

Best candle for book lovers

Boujee Bougies Cuir Culture CandleEscentual

To be boujee is to appreciate finer things - and to show off a little. This definitely shows in their unique range. Boujee Bougies Cuir Culture is daring and rich. Unashamedly dusty, this candle is accented by the charm of old bookshops and warm spice. It's such a treat. It'll go perfectly in your reading nook as you curl up with your latest read.

Smoky, leather and dusty, this candle is a treat. Anyone who knows me, knows I love books. When it comes to a second-hand bookshop, it's hard to drag me out of one. Further, I'm the kind of person who loves that musty old book smell. So, I knew that this scent was totally me. When the candle arrived, I wasn't disappointed. It's rich, sultry and cosy. Plus, a little boozy. It's so opulent. Now - I don't have to leave my home to get that musky fix.

Reviewed by our Commercial Content Writer Piper Huxley

Pros

  • Made out of natural wax
  • Long burn time (50 hours)

Cons

  • Not the most stylish jar

Best for night-time readers

Reading in dim light is never a good thing, but sometimes it's hard to put a good book down. Thankfully, this USB rechargeable Clip-On Book Reading Light provides up to eight hours of flicker-free LED light, which can be adjusted to suit personal preference. It's small, lightweight, and comes in a range of fun colours.

Customers were happy with the 2 different brightness settings and the adjustable head, at it can be angled to any direction you need. One user said that it's "easy to charge and easy to fit onto the back pages of your book as well."

Pros

  • Two brightness levels
  • Portable and freestanding design

Cons

  • Battery life could be longer

Bes for an interactive bookish gift

Gift Republic 100 Books Scratch Off Bucket List PosterAmazon
Price: $28.65
Alternative retailers
UncommonGoods$15.00View offer
Newegg$39.40View offer

If they're looking to broaden their reading horizons or show off how many books they've already read, this Scratch Off Bucket List Poster from Gift Republic is perfect! It includes the titles of 100 popular stories, which can be scratched off once they've read it to reveal an illustration to match the book.

From what we can see, customers loved the interactivity of this poster as it encouraged them to pick up books that they wouldn't normally read, however some did mention that foil requires some perseverance in removing, as it can be quite stubborn.

Pros

  • Comes neatly rolled up in a pyramid-shaped box
  • Colourful images/fun illustrations

Cons

  • Foil can be tricky to remove (try using a coin)

Best for hands-free reading

The JML Pill-O-Pad Tablet Stand is one of the more useful gifts for readers. It'll support a book in a comfortable position, which is ideal for reading on the sofa or in bed. It also helps take some of the weight of any, particularly hefty hardbacks.

Customers have found lots of use for it, with one saying that they "use it for watching movies on a tablet and reading books on a kindle."

Pros

  • Three viewing angles
  • Side-pocket for storage

Cons

  • A bit of a bulky shape

Best for a personalised book gift

One of the go-to gifts for booklovers is a bookmark, and This Handmade Personalised Leather option has more of a personal touch. Not only is the inscription customisable, but you can choose the colour of the leather and the loop with eight colours available for each. For a little extra, you can get it in a box, perfect for gifting.

Many customers said that "The quality is exceptional. It is better than described and even better in the flesh!"

Pros

  • Multiple colourway options
  • Personalisation is optional and the letters are engraved or made with hot foil

Cons

  • Not suitable for vegans, due to the leather material

Best for organised bookworms

Oliver Bonas Butterfly Gold Metal Book EndsOliver Bonas

Bookends are the perfect solution for anyone whose collection of novels has outgrown their bookshelf. The Butterfly Gold Metal Book Ends can secure your cherished wellness and storybooks, preventing them form falling over.

Adorned with a gold finish, they ensure your collection remains tidy, showcased within an elegant winged silhouette that boasts intricate engravings for a touch of luxury. People have commented on their appearance, with one saying "these book ends look even better in person, they’re so beautiful".

Pros

  • Durable and heavy material
  • Detailed engravings

Cons

  • Only available in gold

Best for a book accessory

Serving as a sentimental alternative to bookmarks, or as a stylish way of marking a section for future reference, a book charm makes for a nice little stocking filler or birthday present for any keen reader.

You can personalise the ribbon colours, the charm shape, the charm colour, the finish and the choice of characters of this Lisa Angel Assorted Metal Book Markers Set. Customers liked how you can also add in a personalised message on a card for an extra-special touch.

Pros

  • Hand-stamped which adds to its uniqueness
  • Several charm shape and colour options

Cons

  • Can only add up to 7 characters of personalisation

Best for a book bag

There Is No Such Thing As Too Many Books Shopper Tote Bag Etsy

Once upon a time, there was a bookworm who said 'there is no such thing as too many books'... This tote bag is a book lover's dream! This eco Bookworm Shopping Tote Bag is the perfect accessory for any avid reader to use whilst carrying around the greatest works of literature when they're off to the library. It's a practical, book-themed gift.

Our reviewer was impressed with this product and said: "My daughter loves this bag - it was a Christmas stocking gift. The colours and the print are vivid and the bag has been able to hold a lot of books!"

Pros

  • 100 percent cotton, making it soft
  • Long handles so it can be carried on or over your shoulder

Cons

  • Only one size option

Best for a book club gift

Personalised Book JournalNot On The High Street

Passionate about books? This Martha Brook Personalised Book Journal gift is gorgeous. Inside its pretty cover, you'll find pages for reviews, book summaries, reading lists and more. Plus, you can personalise with a choice of journal covers and add the initials of the lucky recipient.

Customers praised its layout and found it easy to use. All you need to do is add a pen and perhaps some colouring pencils and you're good to go!

Pros

  • Mixture of quotes and interactive pages
  • Durable and hardback exterior

Cons

  • Can add a pen or bookmark to your order, but it does cost more

Best for a bookworm gift

TATTY DEVINE Bookworm NecklaceTatty Devine

The Tatty Devine Bookworm Necklace is a must-have accessory for avid readers. Peeking through the pages is a bookworm etched in pale pink acrylic wearing some big round specs.

It comes attached to an adjustable chain and customers have said that their recipient "adored it and it looks fantastic on them".

Pros

  • Decent size ((which makes it visible to others) and an adjustable chain
  • Comes with a recyclable jewellery box

Cons

  • Not made from silver, so moisture could discolour parts

Best for a book poster

So many books so little time PosterRedbubble
Price: $9.10 (was £12.12)

www.redbubble.com

Blank walls aren't very exciting, so help your friend bring some life to their bedroom, library or reading nook.

We love this bright, stylish and beautifully designed So Many Books So Little Time Poster from Redbubble as it's printed out onto glossy paper, plus you can choose between three different sizes.

Pros

  • Three size options
  • Semi-gloss finish

Cons

  • Some say it may have a few imperfections

Best personalised gift for a reader

Classic Books Personalised Book Cover MugEtsy

Or, why not snag some nostalgia and customise this Penguin Books-Inspired Personalised Book Mug from Etsy? A first-rate bestseller, this classic mug is a perfect spot to pay tribute to your bookworm buddy's favourite read.

Customers have nothing but good things to say about the mug, with one writing: "I was anticipating the printing to be kind of "so-so", but it's GREAT, and the mug has a very high gloss finish".

Pros

  • Can add up to 256 characters for personalisation
  • Made from ceramic which retains heats

Cons

  • No varying colour options

FAQs

Why not go paperless this year with a Kindle e-reader?

There was a time when e-readers were heavy and ugly, with screens that reflected even the faintest of lights and batteries that could barely last a paragraph. Thankfully, these times are long gone.
The Amazon Kindle range is made up of impressive and simple-to-use devices, capable of powering even avid readers for weeks on one battery charge and carrying thousands of books. Screens have lost their glare, and other user-friendly features have been developed to make accessing books easier than ever before.
If you’re looking to treat a bookworm, it's worth considering a Kindle e-reader.
Kindle - the lightest and most compact, now with a 6", 300 PPI high-resolution display and double the storage.
Kindle Kids - includes a cover, access to over a thousand books and a 2-year worry-free guarantee.
Kindle Paperwhite - has 16GB, now with a 6.8" display and adjustable warm light.
Kindle Paperwhite - 32 GB storage with a 6.8" display, wireless charging and auto-adjusting front light.
Kindle Paperwhite Kids - includes over a thousand books, a child-friendly cover and a 2-year worry-free guarantee.
Kindle Oasis - now comes with adjustable warm light, is waterproof, has 8 GB storage and Wi-Fi.
Kindle Scribe - the first Kindle digital notebook, with 16GB, with a 10.2" 300 ppi Paperwhite display, and a Basic Pen.

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV and film. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking and spending time with her many pets.

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