Gift Guide: Book Lovers
I have always been an unabashed book nerd. I used to salivate over the Scholastic Book flyers and I earned more personal pan pizzas at Pizza Hut through the Book It program (which is still going on??) than any kid should ever eat in one lifetime. I have very vivid memories of spending a significant portion of my childhood in the library, and I was once a member of the Wishbone fan club. There were some years as an adult that I barely read, and looking back I know now that I’m my happiest when I’m reading voraciously. This year I’ve read 61 books and I’m looking forward to keeping up the pace next year. So grab your library card and a book light and browse this gift guide for the book lover in your life.
1 / Most days, I use one of my many Strand totes as my main bag and I just can’t stop buying more. They’re constantly debuting new designs and it’s impossible to just pick one.
2 / Christmas cards for the book obsessed.
3 / Wear your favorite quote literary quote.
4 / Hang this mini version of a famous NYPL lion on your tree—will you get Patience or Fortitude?
5 / I don’t know why I love gnomes so much, but everyone is cuter when they’re reading.
6 / A pack of bookmarks for the person who is always marking her place with an old receipt.
1 / A tiny, wearable bookmobile.
2 / Mozart is always laying on my stuff so this pin is a good depiction of my life.
3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 / 10 / Some of my favorite books that anyone should love: Nothing to Envy, We Are Never Meeting in Real Life, The Westing Game, The Road to Jonestown, As Always, Julia and A Gentleman in Moscow.
7 / I’m old enough to remember the physical cards in library books, so I love these socks.
1 / Keep a reminder of the beloved Strand dollar racks with you at all times.
2 / Very true.
3 / The titles of notorious banned books are revealed when you fill this mug with warm liquid.
4 / I’m also old enough to remember physical card catalogs, so I love this notecard set.
5 / I was gifted this NYPL tote this year and it’s so well-made and beautiful in person.
6 / Not sure if this Old Books candle actually smells good, but I do love the smell of actual old books.
Books just might be the very perfect holiday gift—they’re cheap, easy-to-wrap and the very best ones are life-altering. Also, if you’re a last-minute shopper, most books can be purchased on Amazon with two-day shipping or—even better—head down to your local bookstore. Physical bookstores don’t only have books, but usually sell a large selection of totes, cards and other cute little tchotckes that make great gifts.
Some of the best books I read this year: Dopesick / Let the Great World Spin / The Museum of Extraordinary Things / I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend / The Hate U Give