18 Best Book Lover Gifts For 2025 (That Readers Will Actually Use)
Shopping for a reader is weirdly hard. You know they love books, but you have no idea what they already own, what they have on preorder, or whether that shiny new hardcover is secretly their most-hated title from our Top 10 Most Boring Books list.
So instead of guessing their TBR, this guide focuses on book lover gifts that make reading easier, cozier, prettier, or more fun. Think accessories, tech, and treats that pair with any genre, from romantasy dragon chaos to classic horror.
You will find most of these easily on Amazon, which plays very nicely with affiliate links and last-minute panic shopping.
How we chose these book lover gifts
After looking at several big gift roundups, a few patterns appeared. The popular lists lean heavily on:
E-readers and accessories
Book lights and tablet stands
Cozy gear like blankets and mugs
A few eye-catching splurges like special editions and subscription boxes
All useful, but often presented as a long scroll of products with minimal personality. Here we are doing three extra things:
Focusing on gifts that solve real reader problems: bad lighting, sore wrists, messy annotations, cold toes.
Grouping ideas by type of reader, not just price.
Linking to our own long-term obsessions, like Top 10 Romantasy Books According to BookTok and Best Fantasy Books of 2025 so you can build a themed bundle.
Treat this as a menu. Pick one “big” gift, then add a couple of smaller ones to build the perfect bookish package.
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Tech & gadgets for readers who never leave home without a story
1. An e-reader they can throw in every bag
Every major gift guide puts an e-reader at the top, and for good reason. The latest Kindle Paperwhite or a color model like Kobo Clara Colour gives your reader a portable library with adjustable lighting and a waterproof body for bath or pool chapters.
Why it works as a gift:
You do not need to guess their taste in books.
It pairs perfectly with library apps and ebook deals.
Great for anyone who travels, commutes, or has limited shelf space.
If their TikTok is already full of romantasy recs, pair an e-reader with a note pointing them to our Top 10 Romantasy Books According to BookTok and let them go wild.
2. A clip-on amber book light
Late night readers and early birds both run into the same problem: everyone else wants the light off. A small USB-rechargeable clip-on book light with warm, amber LEDs is one of those “I didn’t know I needed this” items that shows up in almost every decent gift guide.
Choose one with:
Multiple brightness levels
A bendy neck that holds its position
A warm setting that feels gentle on sleepy eyes
This is a perfect add-on if you are already gifting a physical book or a set of classic horror like the ones in 11 Classic Horror Books to Keep You Up at Night.
3. A gooseneck tablet or e-reader holder
Several tech-forward guides mention tablet stands and gooseneck holders for hands-free reading in bed or on the sofa.
A flexible arm that clips to a headboard or side table:
Saves wrists and necks during long reading sessions
Works for tablets, large phones, and e-readers
Helps parents who read while holding a sleeping baby
If your giftee reads long fantasy sagas like the ones in our Best Fantasy Books of 2025 list, this is a quiet life upgrade.
4. Noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds
Many readers use ambient playlists, white noise, or audiobooks. A mid-range pair of wireless earbuds or headphones is a practical pick that appears again and again in gift guides aimed at readers and writers.
Pair it with an audiobook or digital subscription (more on that below) and you have a ready-made “reading anywhere” bundle.
Cozy reading nook upgrades
5. A chunky knit throw or weighted blanket
You cannot scroll two gift guides in a row without bumping into throws, weighted blankets, and plush textiles. Editors know what readers secretly want: to cocoon.
Look for:
Machine-washable fabric
Neutral color or a shade that matches their usual Instagram aesthetic
A size that fits a sofa or reading chair
If they gravitate toward comfort reads and highlight soft lines like the ones in 100 Quotes About Reading, a blanket feels very on brand.
6. A bookish mug and a stash of tea or coffee
Tea and coffee keep showing up in “best gifts for book lovers” writeups, and honestly, fair. A nicely shaped mug with a literary quote, plus a sampler of tea or coffee, creates a small ritual they will repeat every time they sit down to read.
Go for:
A handle big enough for a comfortable grip
A design that nods to their taste (witchy, floral, dark academia, minimal)
Something dishwasher safe, because no one wants a high-maintenance mug
You can also tuck in a handwritten recommendation from our Classic Horror or Romantasy lists.
7. A supportive reading pillow
If your favorite reader often complains about neck or back aches from curling up in odd positions, a wedge-shaped reading pillow or “husband” pillow with arms makes a surprisingly thoughtful gift. Strategist-style guides categorize these under “reading more comfortably” for a reason.
Choose one with washable covers and firm enough support to handle a 500-page fantasy brick.
Everyday bookish accessories
8. A beautiful bookmark set
Yes, they can use a receipt. They probably do. A set of magnetic bookmarks, a leather corner marker, or a personalized metal bookmark feels indulgent without breaking the bank. Cosmo and others highlight custom bookmarks as small gifts readers appreciate because they would not splurge on them themselves.
You can add a note such as: “For the next time a book from His & Hers Book Club wrecks you and you need to pause on That Scene.”
9. A reading journal or book log
Many lists recommend reading journals or annotation-friendly planners, and we completely agree.
Pick one with:
Space for thoughts, ratings, and quotes
Room for TBR lists and wishlist titles
A design that feels like a treat, not homework
If they loved our Book Club Discussion Questions, they can use some of those prompts as reflection questions in the journal.
10. A TBR cart or compact book storage
Small rolling carts, often called “TBR carts”, pop up on BookTok feeds and in gift guides for bookworms.
They are perfect for:
Keeping current reads, notebooks, and tabs in one spot
Moving reading gear between rooms
Displaying pretty editions without committing to another full bookcase
Pair it with our 100 Quotes About Reading article printed as little quote cards tucked on the shelves.
11. Literary candles
Bookish candles show up often in lifestyle gift lists aimed at readers. Scents like “Old Library”, “Rainy Pages”, or candles themed after popular series give them an instant mood shift.
Think about:
Whether they prefer fresh, woody, or sweet scents
Clean burn (soy or similar)
Labels that look nice on a shelf next to their favorite hardcovers
Gifts for BookTok and book club addicts
12. Special editions of their favorite genre
Big gift lists nod to coffee-table-worthy box sets and pretty editions of classics.
If your reader lives on BookTok or has already devoured the titles in our Top 10 Romantasy or Best Fantasy of 2025 posts, look for:
Sprayed or stencilled edges
Foiled covers
Extra content like bonus scenes or artwork
Just double-check their shelves or Goodreads so you do not duplicate something they already own.
13. An audiobook or ebook subscription
Many tech-leaning guides highlight subscriptions like Audible, Kindle Unlimited, Libro.fm, and Book of the Month as safe bets.
These shine when:
You have no idea what they already own
They commute or travel a lot
They like trying new genres without commitment
To personalise it, mention a specific title you think they would enjoy, perhaps The Book Eaters if they like dark, slightly strange fantasy.
14. A book club starter kit
If they have talked about starting a club, or already attend one, you can put together a small “book club starter” bundle:
A reading journal
A set of bookmarks
Pretty pens and sticky tabs
A printed copy of our Book Club Discussion Questions
You can combine this with a gift card so the group can pick their first read together.
Small book lover gifts and stocking stuffers
15. Annotation kit
Colored sticky tabs, fine-liner pens, and highlighters show up in almost every gift guide as low-cost extras.
Great for:
Readers who annotate their romantasy smut and need to mark “spicy scenes”
Students and nonfiction readers
Anyone who posts aesthetic tabbed pages on Instagram
16. Bookish socks
Cozy socks with quotes, book stacks, or “If you can read this, bring me tea” slogans are a classic for a reason. They are inexpensive, useful, and very easy to find in a range of designs on Amazon.
Slip a pair into any of these bundles and you instantly have a gift that feels more complete.
17. A tote bag that quietly screams “I love books”
Guides from places like Wired and The Verge regularly feature literary totes, often with library card designs or references to famous libraries.
Look for:
Sturdy canvas
Long straps
A design that fits their vibe: minimalist, maximalist, gothic, cottagecore
Perfect for carrying their current read, a snack, and whatever emotional baggage the last chapter gave them.
18. Quote art or prints
If they loved our 100 Quotes About Reading, pick one quote and have it printed as a small poster or framed card. You can also find ready-made literary prints on Amazon or Etsy.
It is a quick way to bring their reading identity into their workspace or bedroom without requiring more shelf space.
Final thoughts: building the perfect bookish bundle
The nice thing about book lover gifts is that you do not have to guess their exact taste in stories to get it right. You can mix:
One “big” item like an e-reader, subscription, or TBR cart
One cozy item like a blanket, candle, or mug
One small extra like bookmarks or tabs
If you want to go full overachiever, match the gift vibe to a theme. Horror fan? Pair a dark candle, a book light, and a classic from 11 Classic Horror Books to Keep You Up at Night. Romantasy addict? Add a pretty edition from our Romantasy list, plus annotation tabs for all those feral highlights.
You take care of the wrapping. We will keep supplying the reading obsessions.
This guide walks you through how to gift a Kindle book in a clear, practical way: desktop, phone, single gift, multiple copies, country restrictions, and what happens if you want to share something you already own.