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The Ultimate Gift Guide for the Booklovers in Your Life

The Ultimate Gift Guide for the Booklovers in Your Life
The Ultimate Gift Guide for the Booklovers in Your Life
Erica Landau •
Nov 7th, 2023

We’ve compiled a Holiday Gift Guide designed to bring joy and a touch of literary magic to the booklovers in your life. All of the following items pair perfectly with a book, including a chic white T-shirt for James Baldwin or Roberto Bolaño fans; exquisite perfumed bookmarks; a literary insults poster for a reading nook, bathroom or kitchen; banned book socks to keep toes toasty this fall; and – the icing on top – a chocolate ganache cake artfully packaged as a vintage book that promises to satisfy anyone looking for a holiday indulgence.

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 recommendations to share privately. Start making your list here.

Tertulia Gift cards


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


Literary Insults Poster 

We’re reluctant to suggest a poster as a gift for anyone who’s not a college student – with one exception. A perfect addition to a bathroom or kitchen, this map of literary sass across the ages includes sharp-tongued quips from some of history's most acerbic wordsmiths. From Hedda Hopper's cheeky hyperbole to Jonathan Swift’s sly wordplay to the virtuoso of poetic put-downs, the Bard himself, this poster is sure to be a hit with any bibliophile who appreciates insults as an art form. If you want to go the extra step, we suggest framing it, too.

➳ Shop the poster at Uncommon Goods


Field Notes’ 59th Quarterly Edition, “Foiled Again”

Think of these memo books as your pocket-sized canvas for capturing life's fleeting moments, brilliant ideas, or maintaining your TBR. In a world overwhelmed by digital distractions, they offer a tactile way to document thoughts on your favorite novel or even the creative sparks that may lead you to write one. Field Notes’ 59th Quarterly Edition, “Foiled Again,” a set of three memo books delivered in the brand’s distinctive hot-foil-press style – a process originally patented in 1892 – elevates the ordinary notebook into a meaningful gift perfect for the daydreamers and close readers in your life for whom book margins are never enough.

➳ Shop the Field Notes foil collection


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 latest 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 Snooty Bookshop: Fifty Literary Postcards by Tom Gauld

This delightful and beautifully drawn collection of postcards by deadpan comedy icon Tom Gauld promises laughs and literary kicks for both fans and out-of-the-know bookish types alike, all of whom should appreciate the acclaimed cartoonist’s genius for presenting highbrow themes – history, literature, pop culture – in relatable and devastatingly funny ways. The set includes 50 literary postcards featuring his weekly comic strips originally published in The Guardian


The World Between Two Covers: Reading the Globe by Ann Morgan

An ideal gift for the wanderlust reader, Ann Morgan’s The World Between Two Covers: Reading the Globe opens a door to literature from every corner of the planet, making it a perfect companion for those who want to go beyond the ubiquitous English and North American literature that so often dominate our bookshelves.


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


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


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.


Readers Paradise Puzzle

Puzzles are time-honored family fun, and this one is perfect for the family who reads together. Step into this magical bookshop jigsaw puzzle from the New York Public Library — a magical literary institution with a rich history and legacy all its own. In this 1,000-piece puzzle you’ll see classics, history, poetry, and adventure. Every detail, from the lush carpets to the ornate wallpaper, exudes a coziness and warmth. 

➳ Shop the New York Public Library shop


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


Books Save Lives T-Shirts

This T-shirt purchase supports the We Need Diverse Books movement, which advocates for stories that make children feel seen and for empowering diverse voices in literature at a time when diverse books are under attack. Standing with WNDB helps fight book bans, uplifts the voices of marginalized communities and fights for bookshelves that reflect the rich tapestry of voices in this world.  

➳ Shop the t-shirts from We Need Diverse Books


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.


Russ & Daughters Coffee

What goes great with books? Coffee, of course! New York institution Russ & Daughters is best-known for its superb selection of “appetizing” food (i.e. anything you can throw on a bagel). But do not sleep on its coffee. Bold yet smooth, this one-pound bag of Russ & Daughters Blend Whole Bean Coffee brings together four generations of roasted perfection that you’ll be able to taste in every cup. 

➳ Shop Russ & Daughters


Vintage Book Chocolate Ganache Cake

Are you thinking about giving someone a serious book? Sweeten the deal by adding this chocolate ganache cake that is wrapped in a box simulating a classic antique book. Beautifully packaged and decadent, this delicious indulgence will delight one’s taste buds like a book delights one’s soul.

➳ Shop the cake at Marie Belle


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.

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