What To Read

All of the following items pair perfectly with a book, including a chic embroidered sweater for Joan Didion fans; exquisite perfumed bookmarks; a dad hat for your Roberto Bolaño fans; banned book socks to keep toes toasty this winter; and one of our top recommended cocktail books with signature drinks to celebrate some of your favorite books.

Tertulia Gift Card

The ultimate thoughtful gift for your book-binging cousin, cookbook-obsessed dad, or YA-loving niece. Give the gift of exploration and send them to any of the featured reading lists on our homepage, or go the extra mile and check out our Tertulia list feature, where you can curate personal recommendations to share privately. Start making your list here.

➳ Tertulia Gift cards

Belletrist Membership

Since 2017, actor Emma Roberts and producer Karah Preiss have been picking one book each month to read with their community of passionate readers. Their 2024 book club picks include the latest dark comedy of manners from the author of Fleishman Is In Trouble, a juicy Hollywood memoir, and Sally Rooney’s latest novel Intermezzo - whose launch Belletrist recently feted with a star-studded bash at the Irish Arts Center. 

Now you can gift all of this literary excitement to someone you love thanks to Belletrist and Tertulia. That means guaranteed early access to every Belletrist book pick, delivered right to their house each month courtesy of Tertulia, alongside special invitations to virtual book club discussions with Belletrist and special guests. And all while sporting a limited edition Belletrist hat emblazoned with a bold book-loving credo that we think every serious reader can get behind.

➳ Belletrist Membership

Author T-Shirts and Canvas Hats

For the James Baldwin – or Roberto Bolaño, or Ursula K. Le Guin – fan in your life, these Minor Canon T-shirts are chic, comfy, and thoughtful. Pair it with one of the brand’s literary hats, which The New York Times called “the new tote bag,” to make a set.

➳ Shop Minor Canon

"Do Not Disturb - I'm Reading" T-Shirt

If your loved one's happy place is buried in the pages of a good book with her phone on do-not-disturb, this hand-printed shirt will speak volumes in her love language.

➳ Shop the kitty reading t-shirt at Uncommon Goods

The Book Lover's Advent Calendar

Why settle for one bookish gift when you can have 25? This Book Lover's Advent Calendar lets bibliophiles countdown to Christmas with daily literary surprises—because holiday chocolates are great, but bookish treats are better.

➳ Shop the Advent Calendar at Uncommon Goods

Lingua Franca "I Read Banned Book" Sweaters

This cult brand of fuzzy embroidered sweaters loved by celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio has become popular over the past few years for its activist messaging, inside jokes and cheeky political slogans. They ain't cheap, but the charity donations from each sale have raised over a million dollars for 200+ charities. We refer you to some of the brand's greatest literary hits decorated with declarations like "I Read Banned Books," "Book Lover" or "Meet Me At The Bookstore."

➳ Shop the embroidered sweaters at Lingua Franca

The Great Gatsby Vodka Collection from Literati

Regardless of whether Papa Hemingway really did coin the phrase “write drunk and edit sober” - there’s little doubt that imbibing and books have gone hand in hand since time immemorial. Enter this fun liquor brand for bibliophiles: their Great Gatsby Vodka Collection lets literary cocktail enthusiasts add a touch of Gatsby’s roaring charm to their favorite holiday drinks.

➳ Shop the vodka at Literati Spirits

Great Short Books

It’s sacrilege for fiction lovers to sacrifice literary quality just because their time is of the essence. That’s where this brilliant guide to certified great short reads comes in, covering a whopping 58 short novels all under 200 pages that span from hard-boiled fiction to magical realism, the 18th century to the present day, across a wide array of genres, cultures, countries and eras to deliver what BookPage called the "perfect gift for busy bibliophiles." 

➳ Shop the short reads compendium

The Paris Review Interview Limited Edition T-Shirts

Drawn from the Paris Review's famous archive of in-depth interviews with authors, artists and critics, this t-shirt series features one-of-a-kind photographic illustrations from the magazine. The limited edition tee featuring writer and critic Samuel Delany is the sublime gift for any deep fan of sci-fi and of the Paris Review.

➳ Shop the Paris Review store

Booklight

Is your partner’s bedtime interfering with your reading time? A booklight provides the best of both worlds. We recommend the Glocusent LED Neck Book Light. It is dimmable, rechargeable, long-lasting, and handsfree, which means you can use it for more than reading in the dark. 

➳ Shop the booklight on Walmart.com

The World in Books

Got a busy nonfiction fan on your shopping list? This inspiring guide from the bestselling Don't Know Much About History author explores 52 of the best, most important short nonfiction works of all time--from Plato to Michael Pollan and Dante to Joan Didion. These thought-provoking quick reads are guaranteed to change the way you think about the world. 

➳ Shop The World in Books on Tertulia

Banned Book Socks

Keep your toes warm as the colder months draw near while also celebrating the triumph of ideas over censorship! One sock in the pair features Ulysses, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Song of Solomon, along with many other previously-banned titles. (The titles on the partner sock are blacked-out.) At $12, these are an adorable stocking stuffer fitting for any bookworm and appreciator of rebellious literature. 

➳ Shop the socks

Cook Book Tea Towel

For the cookbook obsessed friend in your life, these tea towels are the perfect pairing to buy along with the new Ina Garten memoir, Stanley Tucci memoir or splurge on the new Bobby Flay cookbook.

➳ Shop the towels

Book Club Candle

Earthy and comforting, like the smell of a library full of old books, this Book Club candle will add a hint of nutmeg, amber and sandalwood as you curl up with your favorite book on a cozy fall day. 

➳ Shop the candles

Poète Scented Bookmarks

Every bibliophile knows you can never have enough bookmarks. This beautifully designed set of five from Poète features a delightful scent and a soothing palette of pastel colors.

➳ Shop the bookmarks

Reading Room Plaque

Turn any nook into a literary sanctuary with this handsome sign finished in Black Walnut - an elegant and understated way for book lovers to claim their cozy corner of the house.

➳ Shop the plaque

"Tell Me What You're Reading" Pin

This conversation-sparking enamel-and-metal pin gently-yet-firmly poses the perfect question to pique your fellow book lover’s interest, whether you’re sitting on a park bench thumbing through the latest Tertulia pick, running errands around town, or getting a cup of coffee at your local cafe. It’s a fun, quirky stocking stuffer that any book lover will proudly wear!

➳ Shop the pin

1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List

This literary treasure trove was described by the Washington Post as the “ultimate literary bucket list.” Covering a diverse spectrum, from fiction to poetry, science to memoir, history to children's books, it offers a curated collection that transcends time and borders. Whether you're revisiting beloved classics or unearthing hidden gems, this book is a bibliophile’s dream guide to over 6,000 titles and nearly 4,000 authors. Open it to any page and let the adventure begin.

Bartleby Mug from Melville House

A must-have for any Melville fan. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or indulging in afternoon tea, feel free to let this Bartleby mug speak for you when the day’s responsibilities come knocking.

➳ Shop the Melville House gift shop

Unique Bookends Featuring Feminist Icons

Elevate your bookshelf game with these fabulous feminist bookends. Crafted from sturdy, vibrant wood blocks, they're not just functional; they're beautifully illustrative and decorative. Mix and match from an inspiring lineup of iconic women, each with her own empowering quote. Whether it's a bold visionary like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a righteous trailblazer like Angela Davis, or a titan of justice like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, these bookends are a celebration of remarkable women who've left their mark. They're not just keeping your books in place; they're adding a touch of strength and beauty to your bookshelf with their presence. Perfect for any lover of women’s literature or a budding young feminist.

➳ Shop the bookends on Etsy

Tequila Mockingbird (10th Anniversary Expanded Edition): Cocktails with a Literary Twist

Raise a glass to the 10th anniversary of "Tequila Mockingbird," now in an expanded edition! This ingenious cocktail guide marries cherished novels with a mix of classic and cutting-edge drink recipes—no English degree required. Recipes include Big Little Limes,  Are You There God? It's Me, Margarita, Gin Eyre, and more.

Scrabble Vintage Bookshelf Edition

Gather family and friends for a battle of words with this luxurious bookshelf edition of the classic boardgame Scrabble. The vintage-inspired design and typography harken back to the game's inception in 1948, and the set is packaged in a fabric-bound "book" that fits right on a bookshelf for easy storage. Check out the link for dimensions.

➳ Shop the Reader's Catalog from New York Review of Books

Edgar Allan Poe-ka Dots Tote Bag 

This sartorial nod to the master of the macabre is perfect for book lovers who want a quirky accessory that will serve as a statement piece and a conversation starter. There’s also a Jane Austen tote for the ​​Janeite in your life.

➳ Shop the totes from Out of Print

This curated selection of Holiday gifts bibliophiles will love – from author T-shirts to bookish chocolate cake – offers a range of items that can go in a stocking, under a tree, or be delivered straight to their door. We suggest pairing each with a book or a Tertulia gift card. With the latter, make sure to check out our Tertulia personalized list feature and give the gift of exploration with a curated list of books you think they’ll devour.