Are you looking for gifts for book lovers that aren’t books? These are the best book-themed gifts paired with iconic authors and titles from childhood to adulthood.
If you have reader friends and family members in your life, you probably already know that they do not need more books. Our TBR piles are overflowing.
Do we want books, though? Yes; of course!
However, gifting more books occasionally stresses us out unless you are celebrating Iceland’s extremely awesome Book Flood tradition.
And don’t get us wrong, we gift books all of the time to newborn babies, in place of holiday cards, and for special occasions.
However, sometimes book-themed gifts are just as great, especially if the bookworm in your life is behind on their reading. Plus, Marie Kondo is in our heads.
So, what are the best gifts for book lovers that aren’t books?
Below, find book-themed gifts from popular novels, riveting authors, and infamous book characters.
Shop for Shakespearean bandaids, Jane Austen literary puzzles, and Cheshire cat mousepads. Choose from coffee mugs, home decor, tote bags, and scented candles. Of course, we love socks and notepads too.
We know that you will find the perfect book-related gift for you…r best friend.
Plus, learn about some of our traveling heroes like Anthony Bourdain along with our daily sources for inspiration. Maybe you will even find a new book to add to your personal library.
Keep reading for infamous authors and their books that will leave imprints on your soul like wine stains on your lips. Let’s get started!
Explore all of our favorite gift ideas for readers, drinkers, and travelers.
Best Book-Themed Gifts For Book Lovers That Aren’t Books
Dear Momma Claus, Daddy Tooth Fairy, Grandma Easter Bunny, Uncle Birthday Wish Fulfiller, Best Friend Any Time Of The Year You Wish To Shower Me With Gifts Giver:
This year, The Uncorked Librarian and her bookish friends would like the following gifts for book lovers that aren’t books.
However, these book-themed gifts paired with the actual book and a glass of wine are also perfectly acceptable.
Oh, and a horse. We would love a horse. Or, a huge Bernese Mountain Dog since we live in North Carolina now.
The Little Prince Gifts
We are The Little Prince obsessed. Who doesn’t love or at least know about this timeless novel?
Connection to people and the world is everything. Just like the Little Prince asks the fox if they can tame each other, we crave this relationship building:
For me you are only a little boy just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you have no need of me, either. For you I’m only a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me we’ll need each other. You’ll be the only boy in the world for me and I’ll be the only fox in the world for you…You see the wheat fields over there? I don’t eat bread. For me wheat is of no use whatever. Wheat fields say nothing to me. Which is sad. But you have hair the color of gold. So it will be wonderful, once you’ve tamed me! The wheat, which is golden, will remind me of you. And I’ll love the sound of the wind in the wheat. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The Little Prince exemplifies the lessons learned from travelers like Anthony Bourdain about how to travel and love.
Have you read The Little Prince? We truly believe this is one of the best books that will make you think differently about the world.
Plus, these The Little Prince book-themed gifts will keep your feet, tea, and books warm.
Anthony Bourdain Gifts
Not only did we watch every show, but we also read all of Anthony Bourdain’s books. He is one of our all-time favorite travel writers.
Our hearts split with the death of this well-traveled and heartfelt soul.
Anthony Bourdain shaped the course of our life and many others. He traveled with a unique eye that went right into the soul and core of what makes us human.
As he traveled the world, Bourdain shared with viewers the good, the bad, and the ugly. Not to mention the yummy.
Bourdain and Bill Bryson inspire us to think critically, write sarcastically, and never forget the history of a place. People, relationships, and community trump all.
From learning that one should not order fish on a Monday in Kitchen Confidential to seeing how food transcends language in A Cook’s Tour, we understood then as we do now, that no one will ever compare to the greatness of Bourdain.
If you are in need of more unique gift ideas for book lovers and travelers that don’t land on every literary gift guide list, Bourdain is for you.
Shakespeare-Themed Gifts
To buy or not to buy…
What is your favorite Shakespearean play?
We will always love the spooky vibes in Macbeth and the spritely humor of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. King Lear and his greed will never cease to amaze us.
We will forgo reading Romeo and Juliet for the 50th time since college and high school.
Yet, Shakespeare is a writer who captures the essence of the human soul. He adds an element of poetry and beauty with equally biting observations like Bourdain.
Personally, we love classic literature gifts for book lovers that aren’t books and can sit on a desk to inspire us: mugs, candles…whiskey glasses.
If you love Macbeth as much as we do, don’t miss even more fabulous books with witches.
The Handmaid’s Tale Gifts
Are you looking for kick-butt and thought-provoking gifts for book lovers that aren’t books? These Handmaid’s Tale book-themed gifts are perfect for readers who love strong women in historical fiction.
Politics, prejudice, elections, leaders, and white privilege are all themes in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. The TV series has also helped revive this older novel.
Disturbing and emotional, most of us cannot peel our eyes away. In fact, American society is dressing up like handmaids during protests.
For us, this story is a stark reminder not to become complacent, to speak up, fight back, and never give up hope.
You would think that The Handmaid’s Tale wouldn’t make the most uplifting literary gifts, but we all want to smash the patriarchy, right?!
Fifty Shades of Grey Gifts
How about those sexy gifts for book lovers that aren’t books? Or maybe just silly and ridiculous.
Going from serious to fun, we cracked up at Book Club. Grandma might love these presents for book lovers and Fifty Shades fans. Can’t unsee that, can you?!
Whether or not you choose to hate on the Fifty Shades of Grey series, the story is iconic with the movies taking over Valentine’s Day for women across the world.
We choose to enjoy these books in a funny, light-hearted way. We appreciate the controversy and passion they stir up, good and bad. Sexual meets successful.
Laters, Baby.
Where’s Waldo? Book-Themed Gifts
Where’s…our money?! Old books make our hearts sing.
Personally, we love that Waldo got a dog, girlfriend, and entire community to find along with him. We grew up with these books and still guard them on our shelves.
We could sit for hours looking at Waldo book pages for those classic red and white stripes. As adults, we once made a drinking game out of finding Waldo, his socks, and the toaster oven.
What we adore is that Where’s Waldo still exists and his worlds show creative points in time.
Our former home in Central Florida hides Waldo in the boutique shops for kids to find while their family members are shopping. We hope Waldo will always be a part of our lives like Big Bird.
He’s never really lost, is he?
Jane Austen Book Gifts
Literature [on the] rocks; sign us up!
While The Handmaid’s Tale is the perfect infuriating modern feminist novel, we have to remember our classics, too.
We are not going to lie: Jane Austen is one of those authors that we pretend to love but am on the fence about.
However, as literature lovers, she deserves an homage of gifts for her epic universal truths about women, social standing, and the economy.
What is your favorite Jane Austen book? We are still suckers for Pride and Prejudice.
If you are in need of a literary gift for a book lover who is a tad boozy, why not go down the Jane Austen route? Who knew?
Alice In Wonderland Gifts
Through the drinking glass…
As children, we actually found Alice In Wonderland a tad frightening. It’s like those dreams where you wake up feeling like you just fell down the rabbit hole.
The Queen screaming “off with their heads” left us equally disturbed.
Then, we became history majors…
Alice In Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass make us crave a tea party. Plus, you know we love cats.
If you enjoy boozy glasses, be sure to head over to our gifts for Champagne lover’s guide.
Practical Gift Ideas For Book Lovers That Aren’t Books
A Book Light
We all know the stereotype that book lovers stay up late at night reading. Lights can be pretty obtrusive when your partner is trying to sleep.
One of the most essential gifts for book lovers that aren’t books includes a book reading light.
Kleenex
We bet you didn’t think of this one, but what happens when you read a sad and sappy novel? Sniffle, sniffle, sniffle.
We reach over and grab…our husband’s shirt!
But, maybe if we had a cute tissue box cover, we’d actually use Kleenex:
Note-Taking Schwag
Whether your book-loving friend is a book reviewer, blogger, student, or just note-taking fiend, we usually love to have sticky notes close by.
“Writing in books is bad”…says grownup to Christine to college Christine.
Your Own Little Library Kit
How many times do you ‘borrow’ your friends’ books and never return them or vice versa?
In college, one of our friends loved DVDs. She had a huge home library of the best movies. She even created her own checkout system to track who borrowed each title.
The perfect gift for readers and book sharers not wanting to lose their books is definitely this adorable little library kit:
We love and miss the gratification of stamping a little card. Can we go back to those days, please?
A Book Page Holder
Don’t let your page flip over while reading.
Bookends
Every bookworm needs a few bookends to keep their stash pretty and upright. How else could you organize those rainbow shelves? These have a Poe-esque element that we love:
A Subscription Box
We just love subscription boxes! There are tons to choose from with a variety of novelty items at varying price points.
We personally love Book of the Month (BOTM).
Technically, you are gifting the book lover in your life a subscription box and not a book…so that they can choose and buy books. Maybe we are cheating a little here.
Book of the Month lets you choose from 5 great selections. Some books are even debuts and upcoming new releases.
You may add on other books that interest you, and skip months where you don’t like the selections — or if you are behind.
However, if your book lover enjoys fashion, we also highly recommend Stitch Fix. This is a clothing subscription service where they send you 5 unique pieces personalized to your style.
Stich Fix helps me try new styles that I wouldn’t typically pick out. You can send back pieces that you don’t like.
They just introduced a new shop where you can pick out your own items to match what you have.
Save your favorite gifts for book lovers (that aren’t actually books)
What are your favorite book-themed gifts?
We hope that you found some great reads and gifts for book lovers that aren’t books. Sure, we slyly slipped in books too…rogue librarians are sneaky like that.
Gifting a book is truly sharing a present that never stops giving, inspiring, and teaching. Book-themed gifts are even more fun!
Sarah
Friday 18th of October 2019
I love this list. While books are always top on my gift wish list, I do like the idea of book-inspired gifts. I really want that tissue holder, that would totally make my day. I think I know what to show my husband as a gift idea. The book page holder is neat, I had no idea such a thing existed. I feel like it would be great for those big hardcover books that are always a challenge to hold open.
Christine
Wednesday 23rd of October 2019
I definitely agree: we love giving books for baby showers and children's parties, but sometimes, a fun bookish gift is perfect too. I also know that not everyone loves the clutter of books around their house. GASP. But, me included, honestly.
I love all of the gadgets out there to make reading easier. Who knew?! I really need a light to clip on my book.
Kathy | Tasty Itinerary
Tuesday 15th of October 2019
Again, your list is the bomb! I could never find any of these things on my own. You really picked out some unique and cool for book lovers. It's not the same lame stuff you see everywhere else. Plus, Etsy is awesome.
Love the infobox at the end reminding people to support their bloggers during this upcoming season!
P.S. I love that Wonka Factory mug.
Christine
Thursday 17th of October 2019
Thanks so much! I love working on gift guides for book lovers and writers because I want it ALL. Etsy is awesome--they have the most unique finds.
Rachel @ Never Enough Novels
Friday 11th of October 2019
Oh my gosh I actually have that tissue holder!! It honestly makes me so happy every time I see it. My mom found it at a flea market somewhere, so I was surprised to see it here! This post is so well organized and specific. I'm going back through my book lover gift guide and realized it's just a hodge podge of about 7 things I would want someone to buy me hahaha. My goal at some point is to create one that's, you know, actually useful and easy to navigate for others.... Seems so obvious, right?!
Christine
Sunday 13th of October 2019
Aahaha. I am actually headed over to your blog to check out how you gift guide! I knew we were both working on them from FB (I do a 'gifts for writers' one that I have to update soon too), and I always think it's fun to see what people have. I totally make guides with EVERYTHING that I want haha. When the blogging gurus tell you that you should be targeting one specific person--sometimes I target ME. Someone has to like what I like...
I saw that tissue holder and thought: if that doesn't scream book lover gift, I'm out.
Nadia
Thursday 22nd of November 2018
I love the idea of Wheres Waldo themed gifts?❤️ Great post !????
Christine
Thursday 22nd of November 2018
Me too! Thank you!
Dagney
Wednesday 21st of November 2018
Yay! Great list, as always! If I didn't live out of a backpack, I'd be all over the Where's Waldo stuff! I love the 'Waldo Finds Himself' t-shirt. I just love t-shirts the reference random geeky things. I have a whole stack of them in storage that I miss dearly. It PAINED me to not be able to wear my Freddie Mercury t-shirt (the element 'Hg' dressed up in Freddie Mercury's yellow strap jacket) to see 'Bohemian Rhapsody!'
That elephant 'The Little Prince' ring is also super cute!
Christine
Wednesday 21st of November 2018
It was SO hard not to buy everything while I was compiling this. People on Etsy are so crafty.
I love buying my husband geeky t-shirts. My fav is a French one saying “this is not a shirt” after that whole art movement. I, too, have too many T-shirts packed up.