Gift Ideas for Book Lovers

I have been a bookworm for as long as I can remember. I love to cozy up on my couch and get lost in the pages of a new adventure. I consider classic characters to be some of my oldest friends (literally and figuratively), and you will never catch me reading on a tablet because as far as I am concerned, there is nothing better than the feel and smell of a good book. Over the years, my friends, family, and even my students, have embraced my truly nerdy nature and surprised me with amazing gifts that speak to my word-loving soul. Below is a list of some of my favorite literary-inspired gifts:

Calming Candles: Typically, I shy away from giving candles as gifts because people can be pretty picky about scents. Luckily, Frost Beard  Studio candles takes the guess work out of it because their candle scents are inspired by literary locations, like Sherlock’s Study, and bibliophile comforts, like Old Books. The candles come in several sizes, and they even have a candle of the month subscription box. What could be better than reading Pride and Prejudice while filling your home with the scents of Pemberley Gardens?

Masterful Mugs: The Unemployed Philosophers Guild has tons, of great, quirky gift ideas, but my favorite items are their literary-inspired mugs. From famous first and last lines of literature to quotes from classic authors, and even Shakespearian insults, their quote-covered mugs, filled with tea or coffee, make fabulous reading companions. Plus, the quotes make great conversation starters.

Brilliant Booklight: Reading by booklight is not my favorite thing, but a good book light is handy, especially when traveling.  A few years ago, I discovered the Flexilight Booklight and I fell in love. Not only does it clip to the book and provide ample light while I’m reading, but it is super thin and doubles as a bookmark! The only real issue I have with it is that my 3-year old likes to pull it out of my book to use as a flashlight.

Fabulous Fanart: I love fanart because it often highlights the things we love most about our favorite books and characters. Plus, buying fanart usually means supporting an independent artist or start-up company. A quick Google search of fanart for your book or character will usually lead you to some amazing talent. One of my favorite artists is Karen Hallion. I first discovered her when I came across her Doctor Who/Disney Princess mashups, but she does tons of amazing work with literary and pop culture characters, including her inspiring She Series. You can buy from her Etsy shop, and she also licenses her designs to companies like Society6 and TeeFury, so you can get one of her prints on just about anything.

Warm Words: There is nothing I love better than being surrounded by the words of my favorite books. Litographs and Storiarts are two companies that make that a possibility in so many ways. Both produce the texts of classic books, including the Bible, in colorful illustrations on T-shirts, scarves, blankets, and more. Honestly, if either company ever comes out with Wallpaper, I’ll probably cover my office and every feature wall in my house with it.

Beautiful Book Crafts: One of the most meaningful gifts I ever received from a student was an artfold book of baby feet just before I left on maternity leave.  My mother-in-law also presented me with an artfold of my favorite book, Jane Eyre, one year for Christmas. What made these gifts so special wasn’t just the fact that they turned books into décor for my home or classroom, it was the time I knew they took to make the gifts. Other book craft gifts include page wreaths and sculptures, keepsake boxes, pocketbooks, and lamps. You can find instructions for these crafts online, and some companies sell kits. Used bookstores and the annual Friends of Library book sale are great places to find inexpensive old books for these crafts.

Traditional Title: By far, the most unique gift I have received is the gift of Ladyship. That’s right, I can officially refer to myself as a Lady of Dunans Castle in Argyll, Scotland, and no longer have to live vicariously through the historical characters I read about. Purchasing the Become a Laird or Lady gift set gives the recipient ownership of “one square foot of land within the ground of Dunans Castle.” Proceeds from the purchase support the restoration and refurbishment of the castle, but it also comes with lots of awesome perks and bragging rights. Of course, a trip to visit my castle in Scotland is now on my Bucket List.

Super Soft Snuggies and Slippers: Curling up with a good book often requires more accessories than just a book. A mug of coffee or tea and a blanket to keep you warm are almost necessary accouterments.  Of course, I love my Harry Potter “wearable blanket”, because it keeps me warm while allowing me the use of my arms, and I always have my slippers nearby for when I have to step away from my cozy couch. Some “If you can read this bring me wine” socks are also a suitable substitute for slippers.

Potter Panache: Like many bookworms my age and younger, I am a huge Harry Potter fan. When Pottery Barn came out with a Harry Potter collection, my husband surprised me with a glow-in-the-dark Marauder’s Map pillow, and I searched the rest of the catalog for items that would be reasonably acceptable for an adult to have in her home. Luckily, there are quite a few, like the Time-Turner Clock, The Quidditch Jewelry Holder, and the Hedwig Lamp. And honestly, does anyone really need to know I’ve got Golden Snitches on my bedsheets?

Of course, book lovers will always appreciate a good book, especially if it’s signed, but any gift that makes their book nook even more comfortable is a gift that is sure to be appreciated.

Kelly Vollmer
Kelly first moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University, from which she earned a B.S. in Psychology and English and an M.A. in English. She quickly discovered New Orleans was the place where she had always belonged, and her high school sweetheart, Jeff, soon followed her here. They have now been married for 16 years and have two beautiful girls, Emma Jane (11) and Hannah (6), and 4 year-old pup named Ember. Kelly is a lover of all things nerdy, a proud fangirl, and she is a passionate high school English teacher.

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