It’s that time again. Time to prove to the bookworms in your life that they have at least one person who cares about them. Thankfully, the 2021 Better Book Titles Gift Guide is here!
It’s tough to remember that you have real people who care for you when you spend every waking minute with your head in a novel. Please, think of the readers who need you this holiday season the snow starts falling and you lose them to Tolstoy until spring.
I kid, of course. There’s plenty of things that book lovers do besides reading. Scrabble, for instance. Or puzzles? They love picking up a cat and putting them in another part of the house. Otherwise, mostly book-related activities.
If you’re looking for a gift for the nerds in your life, Better Book Titles has you covered with products available on Amazon right now!
(Full disclosure: we make a little money off the following affiliate links. We’d love to have your support. Simply follow any of the Amazon links below and shop!)
Here are the best gifts available on Amazon right now that any book lover will appreciate:
1. Readers need to warm their feet after resting them on an ottoman all day. Give them the gift of cute socks!
Over 2,457 people took the time to rate these socks. People with jobs and families took the time to say “these are great.” Let that sink in, and get a pair!
2. Hopefully, we’ll all be traveling again soon. Help your book-loving loved one keep in touch with beautiful postcards from Penguin.
When you pick up a Penguin Classic, the cover may seem drab, but you know you’re about to read something great. Can I guarantee that the writing on these postcards will live up to the greatest works of literature ever put on paper? Yes. Yes, I can.
3. The perfect notebook doesn’t exi- Wait… It does and it’s the LEUCHTTURM1917:
Move over, Moleskine! It’s time for a new perfect notebook to take the stage. 251 numbered pages that come dotted, plain, ruled, or squared. The notebook can lay flat on the table for writing ease. Great for writers of any age.
4. If you’re getting the best notebook, you need the best pen. How about a pen that works in space?
This pen will work nearly anywhere… in the known universe. It works where there is no gravity and in extreme heat or cold. Why would you need this? Because we’re going to Mars, baby! That’s why. Get into it. Space pen.
Does it seem over-the-top? Sure. But one pen fanatic said in a 5-star review: “This is the king of all ballpoints.” Sure, it’s a little pricey but that’s all the more reason you’ll hold onto it.
5. Keep track of your favorite pages in a book without dog earing them thanks to book darts:
Each tin comes with 125 book darts that can save a page and point to a specific passage in a book. I was using ugly neon post-its until I found these. “Flat, small, and can’t be knocked out of the book” as one 5-star review claims.
6. Think outside the shelf with these “floating” concealed bookshelves:
You can get a set of three wall-mounted shelves that make a stack of books an even better decoration. It might even inspire you to actually read one. Great for someone trying to conserve floor space.
7. If you love reading, you probably love Scrabble and guess what. There’s a version designed for bookworms:
I can’t wait to lose to my wife for the 800th time with a Scrabble set that looks like a book. The entire board folds up into the book-sized case making it perfect for travel.
8. Speaking of nerdy games, did you know there’s one specifically about making puns called “Punderdome“?
This board game is based on the insanely popular live game show hosted by comedian Jo Firestone and her father. I’ll have you know I’ve been runner-up!! The thrill of a lifetime. I won a big plastic container of cheese balls (not included in this board game version). All the other times I’ve competed, I was knocked out in the first round. Do you know why? Because this game is actually difficult. Only get it for your hardcore funny/intelligent friends.
9. Wear your love of books on your sleeve (see what I did there?) with this soft 100% cotton shirt:
As if readers don’t spend all their time incessantly talking about what they’re reading: now their shirts can do the talking. Perfect conversation starter for introverts. Soft, machine washable, and available in 5 colors.
10. This beautiful iron sculpture can be used as a bookend.
Sure, The Thinker is a masterpiece, but this sculpture imitates life even better. It’s simple, it’s raw, it’s cool. One verified purchaser said this in her 5-star review: “I’m tickled pink with this piece! It conveys a message: intellectual, understated, confident, erudite, knowledgeable, gravitas, responsible.” I love it.
11. Hold open even the largest of tomes with this pretty wooden thumb page holder:
Have you ever read a big book? I’m not judging, but your fingers and hands can easily get sore. I actually finished The Power Broker this year and my wrist still hurts! I also have very specific opinions about how to fix traffic patterns in NYC. But that’s beside the point! This holds a physical book open. That’s all it does!
12. Why use your thumb to hold open a book, when an adjustable bamboo book stand can do it for you?
Gorgeous. You can use it to display a cookbook, a textbook (so you stop reading in bed in your dorm and falling asleep!), or just a regular old novel. My family uses theirs to display a family bible. We gather around it and pretend we’ve read even a little of it. What fun! A holiday tradition. This book stand adjusts so you can comfortably angle the book and protect your neck (Wu-Tang forever).
13. Need a less-pretty book stand that you can use in bed and on the couch? Don’t worry. I got you.
“Reading pillow” is a fine combination of words. I can’t think of anything nicer besides “pillow.” Those are strictly for sleep! A book pillow is the next best thing. It comes in several styles and colors (one with a drawing of a sloth). Perfect for everyday use!
14. Give them something even slower and quieter than reading: a book-themed puzzle.
If you’re like me, you like to always have a project to work on. Sadly, I don’t have many skills. I can play 4 songs on guitar well, and 30 poorly. But when I want to do something with my hands, I love to do a puzzle! Bonus: get them an Audible subscription so they can listen to a book while they put this together.
15. Experience the magic of drinking in a library with these vintage library due date card coasters.
Now when you tell someone to please respect your coffee table, you can sound even more passive-aggressive with something a librarian might be holding. Highly durable, easy to clean.
16. Light up any desk or table with a wooden folding book light.
Readers always need more light, but what if the light could look like a cool open book? I first saw these at the Museum of Modern Art. Everything cool passes through that gift shop at some point. Be on the artistic cutting edge and give this cool light!
17. If the above was too much light, get an amber book light just for lighting a book.
Perfect for nighttime reading! Get away from screens and keep reading your book with this rechargeable book light. This blue-blocking light promises not to disrupt your sleep or anyone else’s around you. If you’re the type of reader who actually sleeps next to another human being, this is the gift for you!
18. If that light isn’t intense enough, I’ve got another book light for you.
If you don’t like doing a topsy-turvy book light that connects to the book itself, try this one that wraps around your neck. It’s like you’re being spooned by a lamp! It’s adjustable, with three different color settings. One five-star reviewer said this is her third try with a lamp like this, and this one was her favorite!
19. Get your loved one 25 delicious cups of tea along with 25 literary quotes from famous authors thanks to Novel Teas.
I had a bag of these and they were inspiring and delicious! Who doesn’t love to sip tea and read a Borges quote? It’s better than trying to slog through a whole short story of his. LOL. I kid, of course. I’ll fight anyone talking trash about Borges. Anyway, great tea!
20. You can’t stir your tea without a tea spoon!
It’s important to have affirmations around, and this simple message is as good as any. Stir it up with an engraved spoon!
21. Help someone officially build their own library with this custom book stamp.
Leave your mark… literally. Ha. We have fun. A great author once said, “books belong to their readers.” Frankly, I disagree. But you can get one step closer by stamping your books “stolen from Dan Wilbur’s library” even if that’s not your name!
22. Help someone continue their journey toward having a library by making the house smell like one with this library-scented candle.
I love candles. Any scent. Big fan of triple wicks. But if the price is right and it reminds me of somewhere I love reading, I’m in. Your book-loving family member will love it.
23. Tote all your books in style with this Kate Spade bag.
This heavyweight canvas bag will help anyone with their next book haul. Take it to the grocery store and let people know when you’re not eating, you’re reading.
24. “Bookmarks Are For Quitters” is my motto and they put it on this mug.
Say it loud for the people in the back. We’re spending this winter reading. We will see you in the spring when we’re done. Frankly, it’s way better than those mugs that say stuff like “don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee because I’m a huge monster and wish I were dead.” This is a good mug.
25. Taking notes in class was boring, but recording details of your favorite reads is fun with this Book Lover’s Journal.
Forget your old excel spreadsheet of good books you’ve read! Now you can put pen to paper and record notes on all your favorite books. No longer will you forget if you already read House of The Seven Gables and what your opinion of it was! You’ll remember forever with this notebook.
26. A simple book-themed Christmas tree ornament.
A stack of books. Shaped like a tree. Right? We get it.
27. Get someone access to nearly every book ever written with the latest Kindle Paperwhite.
The latest Kindle has 8 GB of storage, hours of battery power, and an excellent user interface. If you’ve never used a Kindle before, it syncs your place in a book to your phone, tablet, or even audiobooks if you’re into listening and then jumping back into the text. A truly magnificent reading experience in my humble opinion.
Or, if all else fails… get them a book, dummy! Here’s one:
28. Anna Wiener’s Uncanny Valley:
Named one of the Best Books of 2020 by The Washington Post, The Atlantic, NPR, the Los Angeles Times, and the list goes on! It’s a terrific look into what’s happening in Silicon Valley as we speak. It’s funny. It’s interesting. It’s a gift you should give!
You can also find more great reads (with links to how to buy them) on our Staff Picks page.
You can find plenty of other gift ideas for book lovers on Amazon right now!
(Full disclosure: we make a little money off our Amazon affiliate links. We’d love to have your support. Simply follow any of the Amazon links in this post and shop!)
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