11 No-Fail Gifts for Book Lovers That Aren’t Books

And eight that are, because that’s what they really want anyway.
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As a kid, it wasn’t uncommon to catch me reading while simultaneously walking down a hallway or going up stairs. I somehow honed my peripheral vision so I never had to take my eyes off the page. 

I’m only slightly embarrassed to admit that I’m still known for reading while going through a subway turnstile or as I stir something on the stove—nothing gets between me and a good plot! So putting together the best gifts for book lovers was really an exercise in asking myself what reading-adjacent things I’d be most excited to receive. Here’s my short list.

The Best Book-Adjacent Gifts

Ban.do

Set of 14 Bookplates From the Library of Bookplates

$10
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Ever loaned a friend a novel only for them to pass it along to someone else? Rather than never see that book again, stick your name and number in it—stylishly, of course.

Amazon

Tin of 125 Bronze Bookmarks by Book Darts

$19
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A regular ol’ bookmark is only useful if you read one book at a time. Since I’m usually working my way through two or three at once, a tin of book darts is a more practical way to save my spot.

Books Are Magic

Pink Cap

$22
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I devoured Tembe Denton-Hurst’s recent Substack on good bookstore merch and promptly bought a McNally Jackson sweatshirt I wear weekly. Now I’m eyeing this baseball cap from cool-girl Brooklyn bookstore Books Are Magic.

Joya

Joya x Books Are Magic Books Candle

$38
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Another Books Are Magic merch must-have: Its brand-new Books candle (there’s also a Magic one), which has a scent that’s “the ambience of paper, ink, leather covers, and jackets.”

Hawkins New York

Fettu Bookends by Sin

$150
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Bookends that scream “bookends” often end up looking awkward and bulky to me. I much prefer Virginia Sin’s ceramic set, which could just as easily be two stand-alone sculptures. And how fun that the shape is inspired by fettuccine?!

Anthropologie

Book Light by DesignWorks Ink

$36
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There’s no bigger bummer than being deep in a chapter only to have your bedmate announce they’re going to sleep. A clip-on book light is your best friend here. This one has three brightness settings and comes in trendy olive green, lavender, and navy.

Lingua Franca

“Rather Be Reading” Women’s Sweatshirt

$150
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This organic cotton sweatshirt sums up my mood most days. Since it’s made to order, you get to pick your thread color.

Book/Shop

Classic Books and Modern Art Print

$85
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At 24-by-36 inches, this graphic poster (originally a flyer for Oakland, California, bookstore Book/Shop) can hold its own on a blank wall.

Goodee

Lavender Oasis Matisse Throw by Ezcaray

$350
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You’re not truly “cozying up with a good book” unless there’s a throw blanket involved. I can’t stop thinking about the colors of this striped mohair wool design—the periwinkle, pink, and wine red combo feels especially fresh.

Uncommon Goods

Bookworm Rainbow Socks​

$14
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You’ll also need some house socks. The mid-calf length of this pair is perfect for scrunching.

Free People

Reclining Beach Chair by Sunnylife

$132
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If you’re shopping for someone who would rather sit while they read (like a normal person), this foldable lounge chair will allow them to sprawl out just about anywhere.

The Best Book Gifts

You can’t go wrong with any of these buzzy titles, which also sport covers guaranteed to look great on your shelf. Just check your giftee’s Goodreads list first.

Amazon

“Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney

$20
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Amazon

“Long Island Compromise” by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

$19
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Amazon

“Come & Get It” by Kiley Reid

$15
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Amazon

“The Ministry of Time” by Kaliane Bradley

$17
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If they’ve read the bestsellers list top to bottom, but you’re set on handing over something bound between two covers, consider one of these coffee-table books.

Amazon

“Mother/Founder” by Amanda Jane Jones and Jennifer Fernandez

$33
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Amazon

“Flamingo Estate: The Guide to Becoming Alive” by Richard Christiansen

$45
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Amazon

“The Book of Printed Fabrics Vol. I and II” by Aziza Gril-Mariotte

$200
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Amazon

“Crafted Kinship” by Malene Barnett

$37
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Lindsey Mather Avatar

Lindsey Mather

Digital Director

Lindsey Mather is a proud “words person” who oversees Domino’s content strategy and creation. Whenever she can, she squeezes in time to write and edit stories about the ways people shape their spaces—and how their spaces shape them. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Sam, and daughter, Stella.