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Although doing shopping the old-fashioned way has its charm, you might still want to avoid the crowds and do your Christmas gift shopping online. If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for book lovers, whether those lovely people are readers or writers, this updated gift guide gives you plenty of options. You will find gifts from Amazon as well as from independent makers.
Not everything in this gift guide has been tested personally by me, but they’re all either things I love or things I would love to have – as a book lover and a writer myself.
IN THIS POST: The most popular e-reader – Popular book sets – Best books of 2024 – Subscription boxes – Gift ideas that AREN’T books – Gift ideas for writers

The obvious: gift something to read
The most popular e-reader
Although physical books are AMAZING, I still enjoy having a Kindle. For 12 years I had the classic Kindle with no extras that they probably don’t even sell anymore, but this refurbished Kindle with a built-in front light is probably the most affordable one of the Kindle family at the moment. The next option up is the Kindle Paperwhite, which apparently is waterproof. Imagine the possibilities for reading in the bath!
I recently got myself a Kindle Scribe and I’m OBSESSED. I genuinely love it. You can read my review here if you want to learn more about it, but in short, it’s the perfect gift for someone who’s into both reading and writing, and the battery life is fantastic. Like I said, I had my old Kindle for 12 years, and I wasn’t genuinely tempted to upgrade until now.
You can check out the rest of the Kindle selection in case you want to see what other options there are, and don’t forget to get a case for the Kindle as well. I’m also particularly fond of these hand straps that help you hold on to the kindle one-handedly.
And did you know? You can also gift a subscription to Kindle Unlimited if you would like to give someone access to, I don’t know, zillions of books. It’s also a great way to read books by indie authors that you might not hear about anywhere else. Not all the books available will be to everyone’s tastes, of course, but there are plenty of people who enjoy KU.
Where to buy books
Do you not have bookstores nearby? Yeah, me neither, which is why I like to buy my books online. AwesomeBooks is my go-to place for buying books because they have a fantastic selection and they offer used books. I don’t know about you, but I like the low prices and the sustainability of second-hand books. Yes, I would love to support the authors themselves, but you don’t always have the luxury of choosing the $30 book instead of the $3 one.
Something that I would recommend to you if you have any independent bookstores nearby is to google them and see if they have online shopping on their website. This way you can support small and local without even leaving your couch. Yay!
Books everyone will love
Okay, no such thing exists, but here’s an idea: how about a popular book series, but in a fancy COMPLETE SET? I know, very exciting.
For fantasy fans, this Folk of the Air set or this A Court of Thorns and Roses hardcover box set could be great options. Because these series are so popular, you could even get them for someone who hasn’t yet found their love of books – surely they’re popular for a reason. (I don’t generally read young adult novels but I loved the first book in the Folk of the Air series.)
If you’re looking for gifts for someone who wants to read modern genre fiction but isn’t interested in fantasy, the Millennium Trilogy is one of the most popular crime series ever. Sure, most crime fiction fans are probably familiar with it already, but if you’re hoping to convert a thriller movie lover into a book lover, these books might just do it.
For something other than crime or fantasy, you might like this John Green box set instead.
How about classics? If you know someone who hasn’t read Jane Austen yet, they need to get on it ASAP, and this set of six hardcovers is a good place to start. For someone who already loves Austen’s work, this clothbound set might be just the perfect gift. Another beautiful set of classics is this Brontë collection with different books from the sisters.
There are also many different Dickens sets, and this set of six books might be better suited for someone who doesn’t want so many pastel shades in their bookshelf.
The best books of 2023
(I’m currently updated this post in September 2024 and the year isn’t quite over yet, but I’ll update this post with the best books of 2024 soon! Here you can find Amazon’s best books of 2024 so far.)
If you’re not quite sure what books to give to the book lovers in your life, you might want to check out the best books of 2023. When my dad asked last year what I want for Christmas, I just asked him to buy me any new book that they recommended at the bookstore, and that worked perfectly. You can find top books from multiple genres in that list, and here are some of my picks.
Emily Henry seems very popular on Instagram and her newest book Happy Place has been one of the most anticipated books in the romance genre. If you’re one of those people who goes bleh, romance but you’d still like something “light” to read, Henry’s books are fresh and well-written.
Pomegranate tells the story of Ranita Atwater, a queer black woman struggling with addiction and life outside prison. This book would be a great gift for someone who loves literary fiction.
While the previous two books I recommended were fiction, fans of nonfiction haven’t been let down in 2023 either. The Art Thief is a remarkable true-crime narrative about the most prolific art thief in the world and it would be perfect for someone who loves art, history and crime stories.
Subscription boxes for book lovers
Subscription boxes keep getting more and more popular and there’s something for literally everyone. Yes, even for readers and writers!
One great thing about subscription boxes is that you can get just one if you have a smaller budget, but you can also get a gift that keeps giving and get an ongoing subscription for several months. My husband’s birthday is in late November, so one year I got him a spicy sauce subscription box for two months – one for his birthday and one for Christmas.
Please note that not all of these boxes ship internationally. If you live outside the US like I do, you might not have access to all the subscription boxes.
If you’re looking for other types of subscription boxes, I’ve also written a post about the best subscription boxes for creative people.
Subscription boxes with books
My Coffee and Book Club combines my two personal favourite things, and I don’t think I need to type them out again to tell you what they are. In every box, you get two hardcover books of your chosen genre (or you can opt for a surprise) as well as a small bag of micro-roasted gourmet coffee, ground or whole bean. Currently, they’re also offering a FREE ebook if you contact the seller once you’ve subscribed – a pretty good deal.
Introvert’s Retreat is a subscription box for all of us who prefer a quiet night in. In every box, you get a new paperback, a handmade soy candle and some delicious surprise snacks. It’s perfect for a writer who needs to shut in for a while (or forever) to work on their next bestselling novel – it’s important to take little breaks and read someone else’s books, too.
Books & More is one of those rare subscription boxes that gets me immediately excited about ordering. Every month you get one or two books tailored to your tastes and at least three fun novelty items, though if you’d just prefer the books, you can also opt out of the extras.
And The Story Begins might have “just” books, but if that’s exactly what you want, then this is the perfect bookish subscription box for you. Each month you get individually chosen and hand-wrapped books from your chosen genre. It’s just like having Christmas every month.
The Vintage Teatime Box is one of those subscription boxes with books that I immediate had to link to my husband in case he still doesn’t have my Christmas gift (and New Year’s, Valentine’s and Easter gift….) sorted out. In each box you get a vintage teacup with a saucer and plate, a feel-good book, a selection of teabags, a surprise gift and – AND!!! – a pack of biscuits. An absolutely genius concept, 5/5.
Subscription boxes for writers
Subscription boxes about writing seem to come and go (apart from the first item in this list) and I have to keep updating this post with new boxes. So be warned: If you see something here that you want to get, get it straight away before they stop offering the subscription box forever.
Scribbler is THE subscription box for writers. Each month you get a novel with a signed bookplate, a teaching booklet from a best-selling author, curated writing gifts, a publishing process inside look and a live chat with editors and publishing agents. That is A LOT of value, guys. (If you’re secretly in love with me, feel free to try and wow me with this box. I promise it’ll work.)
Paper Bliss is a fun stationery box with a new theme each month. You don’t need to be a writer to enjoy it, but the pens and other fun writing accessories will definitely make plotting your story a lot more fun! If you get it as a gift, they even include a personalised message to make your gift even more thoughtful.
Writer’s Block Box is a fairly new subscription box for writers who are looking for monthly inspiration and enjoy fun writerly things. Each month you get five items that are sure to jumpstart your writing.
Cozy subscription boxes
Most readers and writers I know appreciate a bit of coziness, and although this gift guide has a different section for offering a nice reading experience, I wanted to include these cozy subscription boxes here.
Relax And Unwind Hygge Haven brings you comfort and relaxation to your busy life with items such as hot cocoa mixes, fluffy socks and warm blankets. I can also spy an adorable leather notebook in the listing images on Cratejoy so I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to hope writing supplies aren’t off the table.
Tales From Lanternlight Hollow seems to be a new subscription box and the concept is definitely fresh and exciting. Every month “your Granny” sends you, the weary adventurer, a care package that includes a letter, a craft kit, a recipe card and some snacks plus tea. This idea is so cute I kind of want to cry.
HopeBox promises to offer you products that bring you hope and ease anxiety. Instead of monthly, HopeBox is delivered every three months and you always get a seasonal selection of products.
The Witches Moon box might be more witchy rather than cozy, but if spells, magic and herbs are your thing, this is one of the most popular witch subscription boxes out there.
What to gift book lovers besides books
Although a book might be an obvious choice for the book lover in your life, perhaps you want to get them something different or maybe you simply don’t know what kind of books they read. Here are some gift ideas that aren’t books that still say that you care about their love of reading and writing.
Make a nice reading experience
Many of us like to read and write just about anywhere, but is there anything better than getting really cozy with a book?
A bamboo book stand is a good solution for keeping your book or tablet upright when you need your hands for something else or when you’re reading in the bath. Bamboo is also a very sustainable material, so this is a good gift for an environmentally conscious bookworm.
If you’re shopping for someone who has to (or just likes to) stay in bed a lot, I’m happy to tell you that there are book stands you can attach to your bed and help you keep reading lying down. If they prefer sitting in the bed, this cat-shaped back pillow will make the bed feel like a cozy armchair. Just add a Go away, I’m reading pillow to the gift and you’ve got the perfect reading experience.
Do you know a book lover who likes to read well into the night? If so, they might love this clip-on reading light by Glocusent with three different light options. Reading a physical book before bed is always better than scrolling through stuff on your phone but using a bright light to read might still have a negative effect on your sleep. This reading light comes with an amber option that filters out blue light, which should make your eyes a lot happier no matter what you’re reading.
Many reading corners might be a bit cold but these wool-blend socks with classic knitted patterns will keep any book lover warm even if they live in Europe and they’ve needed to cut down on heating costs. This wearable blanket would probably be appreciated as well – it’s big and warm like a regular blanket but it leaves your hands free for holding your book and your hot chocolate.
Speaking of hot chocolate, why not keep your mug and your snacks on this cup holder tray? It can even hold your Kindle for you!
Book lover accessories
This section of the gift guide used to have more items in it, but the problem is that fandom products made by independent makers usually aren’t licenced and therefore they’re in danger of getting removed from platforms like Etsy. Even if something is only “inspired” by a book, it can get removed if the copyright owner reports it.
I’ve now tried to include more generally bookish accessories here and ones inspired by classics so that they won’t disappear by the time you get to reading this gift guide!
These adorable earrings with miniature books by SyntheticSerotonin look so realistic, but if you’d prefer something less dangly, these book stack earrings by CuteEarringsUKCo are also very nice and bookish.
If jewelry isn’t quite what you have in mind, this Get Lost In Books enamel pin by LiteraryEmporium could be a nice choice and you could attach it to a book bag or to a jacket, for example.
Does that Austen fan in your life already have everything, including the books and their own Mr Darcy? I bet they don’t have this Pride and Prejudice scarf by UniversalZone, though! If you’re looking something a bit more “manly”, not that clothes have a gender, how about this literature neck tie by Cyberoptix?
Home decor gift ideas for bookworms
I don’t personally do candles (I have very curious cats and children with no concept of danger), but I LOVE the idea of bookish scented candles and I’m so glad people have come up with the idea. You’ve got Old Bookshop, Rainy day reading and even Sleepy Hollow, Incredible. East Light Candles makes absolutely gorgeous bookish candles, some of which are for specific books and characters. If you don’t know which one you should choose, you could go for this Book Lover Candle.
Do you know a fan of ACOTAR? If you want to get them something besides the books, flickercandlestudio actually has a licence to sell candles and other things based on Sarah J. Maas’s books.
Me, I own plenty of antique books, but maybe you’d like to achieve the same look without having to figure out where to find all that extra shelf space. This dark academia aesthetic poster brings that dusty library atmosphere to your room with just a fraction of the cost of building your own dusty library! These wooden book coasters by outofthewoodscraftco would go nicely together with that look, too.
If you want something literature-inspired on your walls, there are countless art prints and the like on Etsy. I think this literature world map is especially cool, but I bet you could find art prints for any book or fandom you can think of. Just type in whatever you’re looking for in the Etsy or Amazon search bar, plus “art print”.
If you’d rather order from Amazon, like if those Etsy sellers don’t deliver to your country, here are some bookish home decor finds from Amazon that would make great gift ideas: Books & coffee scented candle, book reader statue that could go live in the bookshelf, book-shaped Pride and Prejudice flower vase (!!!) and these vintage library due date card coasters.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be over there re-thinking my entire home’s decoration.
The best gift idea for a writer: something to write with
If you’re looking for inexpensive stocking stuffers for your writer friends, you could consider these personalised engraved ballpoint pens. For something a little more fancy, you could go for a wooden, personalised fountain pen. In case your friend is like me and can’t be trusted with fancy pens, you could get them this 12-pack of ballpoint pens in cute pastel colours.
To have something to write on, you could gift this refillable vegan leather notebook. For something a bit more practical, you could get this set of 5 “golden” notebooks or maybe a personalised floral notebook – just to have some examples from a huge selection of different notebooks you could get for your writer friend.
If you’d like to give something a little more modern than a regular notebook, Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a smart notebook that you can use over and over, and you can make notes and scan them into the Rocketbook app. In the app you can organise your notes and back them up to a cloud service of your choice. The notebooks come in different sizes and colour options, and there are also multiple layouts for the pages so you’re not stuck with blank pages or a dot grid.
Mind you, if you’d rather gift an e-reader, Kindle Scribe also has the option to create notebooks with different page layouts, send your notes to your email and organise your notes. Here’s my review again and my 100% recommendation.
What are you gifting the writers and book lovers in your life this year? Let me know and I’ll keep this gift guide for writers and bookworms updated!
Protagonist Crafts is a blog about writing fiction, written by a published author and creative writing teacher. You can find more writing tips and inspiration in the blog and you can get the best author tools at Writer Lifestyle on Etsy.