15 Thoughtful Gifts for Book Lovers (That Aren’t Just Books!)
There are two types of book lovers.
The first has a TBR pile that could reasonably be classified as a structural feature of the house.
The second has a TBR pile and keeps buying books.
If you're shopping for either of them, congratulations: you've found a person who is relatively easy to buy for and yet somehow impossibly difficult to buy for.
Because another book is always a good idea.
But sometimes you want something a little different.
Something that says "I know you love reading" without simply handing them another paperback.
So I've rounded up some of my favourite bookish gift ideas for readers, from little stocking fillers to gifts that deserve their own place on the bookshelf.
1. A beautiful bookmark
Let's start with the obvious one.
A reader can never have too many bookmarks.
I refuse to believe otherwise.
And a bookmark makes a brilliant small gift because you can choose one that actually reflects their personality.
Romance reader? There's a bookmark for that.
Fantasy obsessed? Absolutely.
Morally grey fictional men? We don't judge here.
A pretty bookmark is inexpensive, useful and guaranteed to get used.
Shop our [bookish bookmarks →]
2. A magnetic bookmark
If you want to level up from the traditional bookmark, go magnetic.
Magnetic bookmarks clip over the page, so they're much less likely to fall out when your book gets thrown into your handbag because you've decided to take it everywhere.
They're also an easy way to add a little personality to your current read.
And, importantly, they make an excellent "I saw this and immediately thought of you" gift.
3. An annotation kit
For the reader who has discovered the joy of scribbling, highlighting and tabbing absolutely everything.
A book annotation kit is perfect for anyone who:
- Highlights their favourite quotes
- Tabs important scenes
- Tracks characters
- Marks romantic tension
- Needs approximately seventeen colours to annotate one chapter
A good annotation kit turns reading into a whole experience.
And if you're buying for someone who has recently started annotating their books, this is a particularly fun gift.
4. A bookish glass
Because apparently readers cannot simply drink a beverage.
They must drink it while reading.
A cute glass can is one of those gifts that combines something practical with something personal.
Fill it with iced coffee, matcha, water, juice or whatever beverage is currently carrying them through their TBR.
Then put it beside a book and you've basically created the perfect reading setup.
5. A bookish tote bag
The book lover's natural habitat is approximately:
bookshop → coffee shop → bookshop → home
So they need a bag.
A bookish tote is perfect for carrying books, a Kindle, reading accessories, snacks and all the things they've acquired despite insisting they were "only popping into Waterstones."
A tote also makes a particularly good gift because it can be used every day rather than being another object that ends up living in a drawer.
6. A bookish keyring
For a smaller gift, try a bookish keyring.
It's one of those little things that can make someone's everyday essentials feel much more them.
Add one to a larger present, pop it into a card or give it as a little "just because" gift.
7. A mystery book
This is for the brave.
Instead of choosing a book for them, choose the mystery.
A mystery book is wrapped so the cover and title remain hidden, while the reader chooses the genre or reading mood they fancy.
It's particularly good for people who:
"Have nothing to read."
despite owning 73 unread books.
The mystery is part of the fun — and you might introduce them to a book they would never have picked up themselves.
8. A mystery book bundle
Want to make the mystery even bigger?
A bookish bundle combines a surprise read with little treats designed around the reading experience.
It's essentially permission to disappear for an afternoon.
Book? Yes.
Drink? Yes.
Reading accessories? Obviously.
Snacks? Ideally.
Phone on silent? Absolutely.
9. A sticker pack
For the reader who puts stickers on everything.
Notebooks.
Kindles.
Water bottles.
Laptops.
Their emotional support water bottle.
Bookish stickers are an inexpensive gift that can be tailored to someone's reading personality.
10. A book club gift
Know someone who belongs to a book club?
Don't just buy them a book.
Give them something they can actually take to book club.
A tote, glass, bookmark or keyring makes a lovely little gift for your bookish bestie — especially if you can find something that references their favourite genre.
11. Something specifically for romance readers
If their TBR is approximately 90% romance, lean into it.
Look for gifts featuring:
💕 Romance book clubs
🔥 Spicy reads
💌 Enemies to lovers
🐴 Small-town romance
🫣 One bed
🔥 Slow burn
The best gifts feel like they were chosen specifically for the person receiving them.
12. Something for a fantasy reader
Fantasy readers deserve their own category.
Look for dragons, magic, fictional kingdoms, romantasy references and designs inspired by the worlds they love.
A fantasy-themed tote or bookmark is particularly useful because it lets someone quietly announce:
"Yes, I would rather be in a fictional kingdom."
13. A reading journal
For the organised reader.
You know the one.
They know exactly how many books they've read this year.
They have ratings.
They have spreadsheets.
They have opinions.
A reading journal gives them somewhere to record their books, favourite quotes, characters and reading goals.
14. A little reading treat
Sometimes the best gift is simply:
"Go sit down and read."
Pair a bookmark with tea, hot chocolate, chocolate or another favourite treat.
You don't need to spend £50 to create a lovely gift.
A few carefully chosen things can make a gorgeous little reading ritual.
15. A gift chosen specifically for them
This is ultimately the best bookish gift.
Don't just search for "book lover gift".
Think about what kind of reader they are.
Are they:
💕 Romance obsessed?
🐉 Fantasy mad?
🔪 A thriller addict?
📚 A literary fiction lover?
🌶️ A little bit spicy?
☕ A cosy Sunday reader?
🌙 A "just one more chapter" reader?
Once you know that, choosing a gift becomes much easier.
And that's exactly why we love bookish gifts at Manor & Breeze.
Everything is designed for people who believe books aren't just something you read.
They're a personality trait.
