The Ultimate Guide to Gifts for Book Lovers: Thoughtful Gifts for Every Type of Reader
Buying a gift for someone who loves books sounds easy… until you realise they probably already have a TBR pile taller than they are.
You could buy them another book, of course. But what if they've already read it? What if they've got it? What if you choose the wrong genre?
That's where thoughtful gifts for book lovers come in.
Whether you're shopping for a lifelong bookworm, someone who has recently discovered the joy of reading, a cosy crime enthusiast or the friend who always has a book in their bag, we've put together some of our favourite gift ideas for readers.
And yes, we've included plenty of ideas that aren't just another book.
1. A Blind Date With A Book
If you're looking for a unique gift for a book lover, a Blind Date With A Book is a brilliant place to start.
The idea is simple: instead of choosing a book based on its cover, author or title, the recipient receives a brand-new book wrapped up as a surprise.
At Leo + Co, our Blind Date With A Book gifts are designed to make opening the present part of the experience. Each mystery book is paired with surprise goodies chosen to complement the reading experience.
Even better, you can choose a genre to suit the reader.
Romantic Blind Date
For the hopeless romantics who believe there is always time for one more love story.
Magical Blind Date
For fantasy lovers who would rather spend their evening somewhere involving magic, adventure and perhaps a little sword-wielding, and of course, a ride on dragons.
Thrilling Blind Date
For readers who love suspense, twists and the feeling of saying, "I'll just read one more chapter."
Emotional Blind Date
For the readers who aren't afraid of a book that might make them laugh, cry or stare into the distance afterwards. This is for the readers who really want to feel.
Intellectual Blind Date
For historical fiction lovers who enjoy getting completely lost in another time.
Cosy Blind Date
For readers who like their mysteries with a little less mayhem and a lot more cosy atmosphere.
Timeless Blind Date
For lovers of classic literature and stories that have stood the test of time.
Mysterious Blind Date
For the reader who doesn't want to choose a genre at all. Let fate decide.
Check out Blind Date With A Book Gift Box
2. A Personalised Gift for a Reader
Sometimes the smallest personal touch can turn an ordinary present into something much more meaningful.
A handwritten gift message, a bookish wish bracelet or a gift chosen specifically around someone's personality can make a present feel like it was made just for them.
This is particularly useful if you're shopping for someone who seems to have everything.
Instead of asking, "What can I buy them?", think:
"What would make them feel understood?"
Do they always have their nose in a book? Are they obsessed with romance? Do they read crime novels late into the night? Are they the person who has a different book for every mood?
Those little details can lead you towards a much more thoughtful gift.
3. A Reading Tracker
For someone who loves setting themselves reading challenges, a reading tracker can be a surprisingly lovely gift.
A magnetic bookshelf tracker, for example, gives readers somewhere to keep track of the books they've read while creating a little visual bookshelf of their own.
It's also a great choice for someone taking part in a reading challenge or trying to work their way through their ever-growing TBR.
Choose the Bookshelf Tracker Bookmark that best suits their vibe
4. A Bookish Wish Bracelet
Wish bracelets make lovely little gifts for readers because they are small, affordable and easy to personalise to someone's personality.
You could choose something romantic for the hopeless romantic, something book-themed for the dedicated reader, or a personality-based bracelet that makes you think of them.
They're also perfect as an addition to a larger gift.
Think of them as the little finishing touch that makes a book lover gift feel that bit more special.
5. A Cosy Reading Gift
Sometimes the perfect gift for a reader isn't another book-related item at all.
It's everything that makes sitting down with a book feel better.
Think:
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Cosy socks
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Hot chocolate
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Tea
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Candles
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Wax melts
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A soft blanket
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A sleep mask
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Bath or shower treats
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Chocolate
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A favourite mug
Put a few of these together and you've got the ingredients for the ultimate cosy reading evening.
This is also why gift boxes work so well for book lovers. You're not simply giving them a product; you're creating an entire little reading experience.
6. A Book Lover Gift Box
If you can't decide between a book, a treat and something bookish, why choose?
A book lover gift box can combine several smaller gifts into one thoughtful present.
At Leo + Co, our gift boxes are created around themes, genres and occasions, so the recipient gets more than one thing to unwrap.
They're particularly useful when you're shopping for:
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Birthdays
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Christmas
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Valentine's Day
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Galentine's Day
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Mother's Day
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Book club gifts
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Thank-you gifts
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"Just because" presents
And because the items can be themed around the recipient, the finished gift feels much more personal than simply picking something from a generic gift aisle. You can add a note to your order that gives us some more detail on what you're looking for.
Blind Date With A Book Gift Box
7. A Gift for Their Favourite Genre
If you're buying for a serious reader, their favourite genre can tell you a lot about what they'll enjoy.
Romance readers
Look for romantic, pretty and slightly indulgent gifts. Think reading accessories, self-care treats, chocolates and anything that encourages a cosy evening in.
Fantasy readers
Look for magical, mysterious or slightly whimsical gifts. Bookish accessories and fantasy-inspired details work particularly well.
Thriller readers
Think darker colours, mysterious themes and gifts that match their love of suspense.
Cosy crime readers
This is where you can have some fun. Think tea, socks, candles, cosy treats and anything that pairs well with settling down to solve a fictional murder from the comfort of the sofa.
Historical fiction readers
Look for gifts with a timeless or literary feel. Classic-inspired accessories and thoughtful bookish details can work beautifully.
Classic literature lovers
Choose something elegant, literary or nostalgic. A thoughtful reading accessory can be just as welcome as another classic novel.
8. A Gift for Someone Who "Has Everything"
This is one of the hardest people to buy for.
If they already own every book they could possibly want, avoid trying to guess which title they haven't read.
Instead, give them something that adds to their reading experience.
A mystery book. A reading accessory. A cosy gift. A personalised note. A collection of small treats.
The best gift doesn't necessarily have to be something they would have bought themselves.
Sometimes it's something they didn't know they wanted until they opened it.
9. A Book Club Gift
Book clubs are another brilliant excuse to give a bookish gift.
If you're looking for something for your book club friends, consider giving everyone something small and matching, such as:
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A bookish bracelet
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A magnetic bookmark
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A reading tracker
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A personalised gift
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A small chocolate or sweet treat
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A cosy reading accessory
You could even create a themed gift box for the whole group.
It's a lovely way to make the next book club meeting feel like a little occasion rather than just another Tuesday night.
10. The Best Gift for a Reader? Something They Can Experience
The thing that makes a great book lover gift different from an ordinary present is the experience behind it.
Reading itself is an experience.
It's escaping somewhere else for a few hours. Meeting characters you'll miss when you finish the book. Staying up too late because you have to know what happens. Finding a new favourite author. Laughing at something unexpectedly funny. Crying over a fictional person who technically doesn't even exist.
So the best reading gifts don't necessarily need to be expensive.
They just need to make that experience a little more enjoyable.
How to Choose the Right Gift for a Book Lover
If you're still unsure what to buy, ask yourself these five questions:
1. What do they like to read?
Their favourite genre is a great starting point.
2. Do they like surprises?
If they do, a Blind Date With A Book could be perfect.
3. Are they a cosy reader?
If their ideal evening involves pyjamas, a hot drink and a book, build the gift around that.
4. Do they already own lots of books?
If the answer is yes, consider bookish accessories or a reading-themed gift instead.
5. Is the gift for a particular occasion?
A birthday, Christmas or Valentine's gift can be made more personal by choosing something that reflects the occasion as well as the recipient.
Why We Love Gifts for Book Lovers
At Leo + Co, we're big believers that gifting should feel personal.
That's why we love creating gifts around personalities, genres and little moments rather than simply putting a collection of products together and calling it a gift box.
Our Blind Date With A Book gifts are designed for exactly that reason.
You don't have to know which book they'll love.
You just need to know that they love reading.
We'll take care of the surprise.
Looking for a gift for a book lover?
Explore our collection of Blind Date With A Book gifts, bookish gifts and thoughtful gift boxes, created for readers who love discovering something a little different.