What should I get my bookish friend for Christmas?

It’s December, and if you don’t yet know what to get your friend who loves books for Christmas, it is time to lock in. Luckily for you, I am the friend who loves books, and I have a couple of suggestions.

Find out their favorite classic and get a pretty copy of it

Most book readers have a classic they ride or die for. I have a friend who lives and breathes The Great Gatsby; I love anything Jane Austen. Even if your friend leans contemporary, there is bound to be something they love.

Keep in mind that if your friend loves this book, they likely already have a copy … or two. Which is why I am suggesting you find

an especially pretty edition. Your friend might already have the Barnes and Noble Leatherbound or Penguin Clothbound Classics — just look at their bookshelf and see — but there are other, more niche editions that would be a great, new addition to their collection. (haha, edition and addition in the same sentence.)

Harper Muse has beautifully painted books. Minalima’s covers are very art deco, which is refreshing in a world of regency-styled classics.  If you are willing to drop a pretty penny, Juniper Books has really interesting designs, especially when it comes to series. 

Annotation kits

You have to know a few things about your friend before giving them an annotation kit: does your friend read on Kindle, and do they even like writing in their books?

If your friend enjoys scribbling all over a paperback, annotation kits are an inexpensive way to elevate their reading experience. For this specific gift, I’d recommend checking out Etsy’s website — the Etsy sellers know how to curate a really cute set.

These kits come in a variety of styles and price ranges. This pink book bundle is a little pricier, but it comes with a notebook, magnetic bookmarks, a USB book light, and much more! If your friend fits the dark academia aesthetic more, you might want to try these annotation tabs, these stickers, or this kit.

Speaking of annotations, give your friend a pre-annotated book!

This idea goes out to my gifters who are also readers. If you have a book you love and think your friend would really enjoy, buy a new copy of that book, read through and annotate it, then give it to your friend. 

Not only is this gift thoughtful, but it could also be fun for you to react to certain passages and leave messages there for your friend. 

Maybe they will read through and leave annotations of their own, and you can compare and contrast!

Buy them a book, but a niche one.

It feels super obvious to buy your book-loving friend a new book, but let’s try to find something that they wouldn’t have picked out on their own.

I’ve been super into what is being called “weird girl lit” lately, so if your friend isn’t privy to that subgenre, you must put them on. The most popular of this genre is “Bunny” by Mona Awad — which is wonderful, and again, so popular — but a lesser-known book similar to “Bunny” I’ve been wanting to read is “The Gilded Butterfly Effect” by Heather Colley.

Here are some new releases that you might want to check out: “Before I Forget” by Tory Henwood Hoen, “Best Offer Wins” by Marisa Kashino, and “Next Time Will Be Our Turn” by Jesse Q. Sutanto.

Something cozy

If you believe your friend is getting a lot of book-related gifts this Christmas, look one step further and get them the best cozy reading-day essentials. Blankets are always a must-have and a must-want. I have this one pink-checkered blanket. I don’t know how to describe the texture of it, but it’s so perfect, lightweight, and soft. I definitely recommend.

Candles, slippers, mugs ,and cute pajama sets are all great options to up the cozy vibe of your friend’s study sessions.

I hope I was able to spark some inspiration to help you with your holiday shopping, and if any of my friends are reading this … I hope you enjoyed the read.