Delightful literary-inspired gifts for book lovers

Do you have a bookish person in your life? Or perhaps you are looking to add more literary to your lifestyle I love a good list and had so much fun putting together a gift guide for the bibliophile in your life. Most of these are not books, although there is one that made the list. Here are some literary-inspired gifts for book lovers.

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Ceramic book vase

You can add flowers to this functional, book shaped vase for a dash of literary charm in your room. It’s illustrated by Jane Mount and features a quote from Oscar Wilde on the back – “With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?” It’s also got some touches of gold and would look very pretty sitting on a bookshelf or table. This smaller one in a different shade of blue with a quote from Louisa May Alcott is also a favorite of mine.

Embosser

There is just something so official about an embosser. My family thinks my favorite word is “fancy” because I say it so often. “Well, THAT’S fancy!” It’s true. Embossed is just fancier. For an extra-fancy, antique looking version, try this pretty one with gilded flowers.

Personal Library Kit 

I miss those charming due date slips and the pockets they go in. One of the factors in me choosing library books as a kid had to do with how many times a book had been checked out. If it had lots of stamps, it must good. Here is a kit that lets you add this vintage library staple to your own collection. Perfect for the person who is always loaning books to friends!

Self-inking library stamp 

I like this round library stamp. Slightly less fancy than an embosser. But still very official. Since I frequently buy used books, I like to look inside them for stamps, book plates, or inscriptions. For a different stamp style, this darling one from Packagery is more rectangular and understated.

Book stack Christmas ornament 

This blown glass ornament would be a fun addition to a Christmas tree. Or perhaps sitting on a bookshelf after the holiday season mellows into January. The style feels very vintage and would fit right in with the package of Shiny Brites that you found at the thrift store. If you did.

“Yes I really do need all these books” pillow cover

This sentiment is one I’ve often expressed. This pillow cover is almost like a linen-colored burlap style weave, not rough, but it’s loosely woven. You’ll need an insert like this one. An old throw pillow from your closet works, too. (IKEA has a great, feather-filled insert that I use. I just switch out covers depending on the season. They’re easier to store!)

Reading on a Rainy Day candle

Reading on a Rainy Day candle. From the description: The best way to enjoy a rainy day is to cozy up with a cup of hot tea and a book. A combination of relaxing fragrances: paper, rain water, green tea and a touch of lavender and redwood. The candle uses a lead free cotton wick, soy wax, essential oil and premium grade fragrance oil, creating a clean, environmentally friendly burn. All scents used are phthalate free and no dyes are added.

“A room without books is like a body without a soul” book sleeve

I haven’t used a book sleeve before, but I see them all the time on Instagram. There are a wide variety of them, mostly handmade from small shops. This one features a library with a girl on a ladder (goals!) and a quote from Cicero. It’s padded with foam to protect your book or tablet and lined with no exposed seams. This seller will also do custom orders if you have an idea.

So Many Books, So Little Time socks 

These Softsmith socks are 70% cotton and offer a fun bookish design. I love the soft blue color. There are lots of other book-themed socks on Amazon. Out of Print has a pair featuring due date cards and here is a pair for men featuring a Mark Twain quote. And if you didn’t know Sock Sunday was a thing on #bookstagram (book posts on Instagram), here’s a pair of over-the-knee socks worth looking at.

I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel

This pretty little book is a relatable collection of short essays from Anne Bogel, host of the podcast What Should I Read Next and writer at Modern Mrs. Darcy. Anne is a reader, and her love of books shows in this delightful, very giftable tome. The spine is black with gold lettering, and the design is printed right on the book with no dust jacket. Cover and inside illustrations are by David Holmes.

Tea tin “book” with loose leaf tea

These book-shaped tins contain tea! They are very pretty, and the tea inside gets mostly good reviews (the one with almond flavor, Volume 4, seems to be less popular). A darling gift for someone who likes tea and books. And the tin can be re-used for bulk loose-leaf tea. Or maybe sewing supplies like buttons or thread. Or perhaps you could stash pens, stamps, tealights, candy, handkerchiefs, loose change, batteries, jewelry, or acorns in yours. There is a Christmas version, too!

Library due date stamp t-shirt

I’ve established that I like due date stamps. So this t-shirt is perfect. It comes in a soft, cotton/poly blend and runs quite small, so be sure to order a size or two up. (See reviews.) There is also a blue version in addition to the grey one, and a rolling library cart design as well. These are all v-necks, but Out of Print has crew neck and scoop neck t-shirts as well. Not to mention onesies for babies!

Illustrated bookish quote from Albert Einstein

“The only thing you absolutely have to know is the direction of the library.” I am in solid agreement with this quote from Albert Einstein. The first thing I do when moving to a new place is get a library card. I love the piles of books mixed with flowers on this print. The lettering is also lovely.

The Book Lover’s Journal

This journal has space to fill in books you want to read, books you’ve read with notes and ratings, books you’ve borrowed or lent, and other lists and reminders. It includes pre-printed checklists of authors and books you may want to read for inspiration. This reading journal comes in a super-portable size and has a covered spiral binding with an elastic closure. Just clip a pen to the elastic, toss it in your tote, and head to the library or bookstore!

Lucy in the Sky book tote

 “Between the pages of a book is a lovely place to be.” This adorable tote features the lovely work of Lucy McCracken. Piles of pretty books and a dessert-filled teacup add whimsy to the lettered quote. Lucy’s shop is full of other bookish gifts and prints. I like this set of postcards. Lucy has several designs based on popular books that she’s read that inspired her imagination. Lewis, Montgomery, Tolkien, Austen and some more recent favorites.

Book Nerd hoodie

I really like this t-shirt hoodie. It looks soft and comfy. The poly/cotton/rayon blend gives it a nice drape. The split v-neck has a raw edge. This one has a Book Nerd graphic with glasses, but there is another one that has an open book with the lettered phrase, “I’d rather be reading.” Both come in a heathered version of black, fuchsia, grey, and navy.

Sterling silver book charm on 18″ chain

This cute little charm is the perfect jewelry for the bibliophile. It would make a great gift for your favorite librarian. There is a tiny bookmark poking out of the edge. Another similar charm has pages that open to say “love you forever.” That one looks to be quite a bit smaller, but is very elegant.

Bookstore jigsaw puzzle

Puzzles are such a classic gift, and this one features a very full bookstore with rugs and wood shelves and staircases and lots of books. I want to go there. I also like this one that shows a bookshop exterior with a bicycle parked in front. And my husband gave me this one last year for Christmas. It’s packed full of vintage covers.

Harry Potter book cover collage puzzle

I wasn’t going to add anything from specific books in this list, but Harry Potter is such a favorite with kids and grown-ups alike that I thought I’d add another puzzle. This 500-piece one features the artwork from the covers by Marie Grand-Pré and this one is 1000 pieces and features even more of her Harry Potter art. New York Puzzle Company has several more HP puzzles, so browse around to see if there is a different one you like!

Bibliophile mug

You don’t have the perfect readerly mug yet? Here’s one for you from Jenny of Carrot Top Paper Shop. Featuring a cute, cushy chair complete with a donut pillow and stacks of books topped with potted plants and a teacup, it will add charm to any book enthusiast’s day. Jenny also offers other bookish art, including this literary heroine banner.

Book light

This clip on LED book light has three brightness levels and will light up both sides of the page. Grips protect the paper, and it can be positioned at nearly any angle. It comes with a rechargeable battery and a USB cord. This is a great gift for someone who likes to read in bed or on car trips in the dark. It beats my childhood method of holding the book up to the rear window of the car to catch the light from the headlamps of the car behind us.

Vintage style letterpress bookplates

Instead of just inscribing one’s name on the flyleaf, why not use these elegant book plates? The description says these are hand-printed on acid-free archival parchment paper by artisans in a small studio on Swan Island, Maine. For more variety, try these antiquarian plates featuring quotes from old books.

Gilded book stack print

This lovely print is made with luxe gold foil in a shop in Philadelphia. It would look stunning placed on a bookshelf or in an entry or reading nook for a touch of understated modern art glamor. This art piece is printed on pure white matte card stock. It does not come matted or framed. The silver version is here.

Fabric paperback cover

If you want to glam up your paperback reading experience, this book cover is for you. It fits trade paperbacks (be sure to measure if you want it for a particular book) and some smaller hardbacks. You can leave it on one book or use it for whatever book you’re currently reading. The fabric has some stretch and there are two ribbon bookmarks attached.

Magnetic poetry kit for book lovers

This little box contains over 200 word tiles to create your own poetry on your fridge or file cabinet or anything that a magnet will stick to. You can combine words from other kits. I’d probably go for the Shakespeare one. It has the word codpiece in it.

Kindle

A Kindle is a great gift for an avid reader who doesn’t have one. I wrote a post listing some of the reasons I love my Kindle. There is just no easier way to have instant access to books. Mine is the basic version in white, but I’d LOVE the Paperwhite! I have an older version that has no built-in lights, but since I read in bed in the dark, I have to switch to the Kindle app on my iPad.

Do you have any favorites from this list? I would love to hear if you have any other suggestions for gifts for book lovers.