2025 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

Looking for clever and thoughtful gift ideas for the book lover in your life? Bookmark this article: American Libraries has gathered an eclectic list of literary-themed gifts—covering all price points and ranging from apparel to tech to kitchen accessories.

$10 or less

Book Club Cocktail Napkins ($9)

Make your book club laugh with these “Welcome to ‘Book Club’” foil-stamped cocktail napkins from Pretty Alright Goods. These three-ply napkins will be a fun conversation starter at your next literary meetup, whether you’re reading or just “reading” (aka eating snacks and catching up on each other’s lives).

“From the Library of” Bookplates ($9.95)

Your friends’ books will never go missing with these cute bookplates from Ban.dō. These labels, which come in a set of 14, help book owners personalize and take pride in their extensive collections.

$20 or less

Tiny Bookshop Game ($19.99)

Tiny Bookshop is a perfect match for anyone who’s dreamed of running a bookshop. In Skystone Games’ cozy narrative simulation, you sell books by authors such as John Green, Toni Morrison, and Oscar Wilde out of a mobile bookstore in a fictional seaside town. This relaxing game is available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Nintendo Switch.

Book Club Bookmark Set ($20)

These Kate Spade bookmarks double as awards for your reading pals. They include humorous superlatives like “Most Likely to Listen to the Audio Version,” “Most Likely to Guess the Ending,” and “Most Likely to Fall Asleep Reading.”

$30 or less

“Censorship Is So 1984” T-Shirt (Men’s / Women’s) ($21.99)

ALA’s “Censorship Is So 1984” shirt references George Orwell’s cautionary tale 1984, about the dangers of totalitarianism and the restriction of free expression. Anyone passionate about the freedom to read will appreciate this shirt, available in a wide selection of colors.

Support Your Local Library Pennant ($28)

Available from the New York Public Library Shop (where proceeds support NYPL), this exuberant pennant will brighten up any cubicle, home workspace, or bookshelf. It’s a stylish, fun way for library workers, patrons, and advocates to show their love for libraries.

Charlotte Brontë Library Candle ($30)

Fans of Jane Eyre will enjoy this fragrant six-ounce candle, getting swept away in soothing scents of citrus and nutmeg. Other candles in Paddywax’s Library Collection are inspired by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Edgar Allen Poe, and William Shakespeare.

$50 or less

“I Closed My Book to Be Here” T-Shirt ($32)

You’ll feel honored every time your friend wears this shirt, knowing they chose you over their current literary obsession. Inkwell Threads specializes in shirts, hats, totes, and other items with funny proclamations that bookworms will appreciate.

Nose in a Book Reading Journal ($38)

Supplement—or forget—Goodreads or StoryGraph by going analog with this reading journal from Papier. It includes space to review 32 books, 8 pages for reading wish lists, a tracker to remember which books you’ve borrowed and loaned, journaling prompts, and more. The journal can be personalized with the giftee’s name on the front at no charge, and Papier offers dozens of cover designs.

Marble Book Holder ($42)

This elegant marble book holder from Anthropologie makes a statement for book lovers, hosts, and chefs. It’s ideal for displaying coffee table books or holding a cookbook while following a recipe.

More than $50

Smart Book Light ($55–$110)

This book light by Gingko Design looks like an ordinary journal, but when opened, transforms into a bright LED light. The ambient light glows through the pages, and the book opens fully to 360 degrees. The rechargeable, portable battery lasts up to eight hours. The book light is available in two sizes (3.5×5 inches or 6.5×8.5 inches) and with a linen, wood, or fiber leather cover.

The Original Hello Clio Kindle Belt Bag ($68)

This bag is tailored specifically for Kindles, making it easy for bookworms to securely bring their e-reader on the go. The bag comes in a variety of colors and patterns, and includes a 43- or 60-inch strap and a small attached pouch for accessories like cables or earbuds.

Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug ($99.95–$179.95)

Nothing pairs better with a book than a warm mug of coffee or tea, and this Ember temperature-controlled mug keeps your beverage at the chosen temperature for up to 80 minutes on a single charge, or all day on its charging coaster. Select your temperature from 120°F to 145°F with an app. Available in 10- or 14-ounce sizes and 13 colors.

Literary Clock ($209–$369)

Bibliophiles can find their next read with this literary clock from Uncommon Goods, which includes 13,000 literary quotes from works covering six centuries. This clock shows literary quotes in addition to conventional numbers to tell time. Users can choose how often the clock refreshes quotes at intervals ranging from one minute to one hour. The clock is clad in a white oak housing and available in two sizes.