22 Affordable Gifts for Readers

It’s not what you think—these won’t make your home smell like a library (though, that would be amazing). Instead, candle-maker and English major Callie Meaney has created soy candles that mimic the scents and scenes from some of the most famous classic novels, including Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Alice in Wonderland, and Sherlock Holmes. Wondering what Sherlock Holmes’ 221B Baker Street apartment would smell like? Meaney thinks a combination of black currant tea and leather books would make Sherlock feel at home. Any bibliophile can light one on a rainy afternoon for a quiet day at home with her favorite novel.

To buy: $16, uncommongoods.com.

Don’t let her haphazardly throw her reading glasses into her purse, or stretch them out by resting them on her head—give her this stylish, yet simple, case for her reading glasses. Each leather case is handmade in Germany, and the monogram can be customized to her initials, last name, first name, or any identifier you think she’ll appreciate. You can even choose between brown and black leather (bonus points if you can match the case to her purse or wallet). This isn’t a last-minute gift, however, because it does take up to three weeks to ship.

To buy: $33, aobusinessessentials.etsy.com.

For the aspiring writer (and avid reader), these illustrated postcards will provide plenty of literary inspiration. Each patterned postcard features a line from one of Austen’s works or published letters. A true Austen fan will know that the author was a famous and well-versed letter writer—her best correspondences are now compiled into an anthology. For the fan that hopes to embody Austen’s habits and prose, these postcards will provide the perfect inspiration. Plus, the 100 notes are enclosed in an embossed keepsake box, where the lucky recipient can store jewelry, notes, and more.

To buy: $20 for 100, papersource.com.

If he can’t get through an email or conversation without quoting or referencing Harry Potter, then he needs this print in his office (or home). Featuring a line from the series’ famous, lovable bookworm, this handmade poster ships from Britain—the home country of Hermione herself! Note: The sizes are based on the British paper sizing system (A1, A2, A3, and A4), so visit this handy chart to make sure you’re ordering the correct dimensions—although the seller notes he can customize the print to whatever size you need. Additionally, the frame is not included, so you’ll have to have it framed before the holidays!

To buy: From $13, bokaprintetsy.com.

Readers know the stress of seeing another list of the best books to read this month, this season, or this year. It’s hard to keep track of a reading wish list when there are so many genres and authors to tackle! This journal helps organize any reader’s inventory—the notebook includes spaces to record books you want to read, books you’ve loaned to or borrowed from friends, and the contact information for your book club. The main attraction: Pages and pages to record details from the books you’ve read, making it easy to reference and recommend your favorite novels in the future.

To buy: $12, amazon.com.

Even if she prefers actual books, chances are she still carries some kind of e-reader to make enjoying a book while commuting a little more convenient (an 800-page novel is not easy to store in your purse). Or maybe she’s a traveler, and the Kindle is the easiest way to load up her suitcase with her favorite books before she boards the plane. This handmade felt sleeve is a chic, minimalist way to protect her tablet. If she doesn’t have a Paperwhite Kindle, shop the Etsy seller’s other sizes and fabrics for the ideal dimensions and material for her device. The case comes in gray and black felt, as well as red and white leathers for a more polished vibe.

To buy: $32, NUACAshop.etsy.com.

The dedicated bookworm knows that when shopping for furniture, a bookshelf is an extremely important purchase. If her bookshelf is carefully curated with her favorite titles, travel keepsakes, and other artfully chosen accessories, these candles will add a modern accent to her display. Ranging from small, three-inch votives to 10-inch candles, they come in several shades of colored glass with either silver or copper plating on the bottom. She can keep them on her bookshelf or add them to a dining table for a festive centerpiece—they’re simple enough to go with almost any décor in her home.

To buy: From $10, westelm.com.

The new Anne of Green Gables movie premiering this fall on PBS and the miniseries soon to follow on Netflix are both proof that this treasured children’s story is finding new life in the 21st century. For a friend who has been a fan of Anne Shirley since her debut in 1908, this beautiful set of books is great to reread before watching the new films, and includes the first six unabridged stories from L.M. Montgomery. Readers will recognize Anne’s famous hat on the bindings of the books. She can curl up and read her favorite stories all winter while she waiting for the Netflix premiere.

To buy: $165, domino.com.

For the friend who still chooses handwritten lists over the Notes app in his phone, this playful container of note paper will be a welcome addition to his workspace. The miniature box mimics an actual Royal typewriter and each perforated piece of paper has a vintage watermark—including “From the Desk Of” and “Memo”—just like an actual typewriter sheet. The 55 unique pages pull out of the top of the box (like a typewriter—sensing a theme here?) and are ideal for jotting down little reminders. Keep in mind: These aren’t full-sized pieces of paper—each is slightly larger than a Post-It note.

To buy: $13, chroniclebooks.com.

These clever collectible matchboxes are miniature replicas of some of the most famous banned novels in history—the matches, of course, being a nod to book burnings that used to occur around the world as a form of censorship. From Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 to Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, each box features the original cover illustration for the novel and on the back, a line about why the book was banned from shelves. Fun fact: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was banned from the Brooklyn Public Library in 1876 because the protagonist was of “questionable character.” Each box contains 20 matches.

To buy: $20, amazon.com.

Terrain, the inspiring garden-centric sister brand to Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, specializes in chic gardening supplies, interesting plants for your yard, beautiful outdoor décor, and unique, vintage home goods. This sleek, modern porcelain bud vase is stylish enough for any surface—especially a well-curated shelf—and certainly won’t clash with an eclectic collection of novels. It sets the environment for a quiet night of reading (especially with a fresh bloom from the garden), but we would understand if the bookworm in your life wanted to use it to hold her favorite pen. The multi-faceted vase is also available in a shorter, more spherical shape.

To buy: $20, shopterrain.com.

This whimsical wooden bookend is a fun way to keep his favorite titles stacked and organized, while also adding dimension and character to his bookshelf or desk. The neutral color matches any shelf and provides a nice contrast to a row of colorful bindings. To help fill up his shelf, pair the bookend with a membership to a seasonal literature subscription box (we love Quarterlane Books), so he’s always on top of the newest, most talked-about titles. Now, if only it came with a companion that said, “The Beginning”—then it would really bring the bookshelf full circle.

To buy: $25, jossandmain.com.

Whether she wears cat-eye, round, square, or browline frames, she can show off her signature style with this chic leatherette pouch. Dappled with black frames, this graphic pouch holds all of her favorite reading accessories, from highlighters to bookmarks. It even comes with a handful of stylish office supplies to get her started: two pencils (etched with “so well composed” in gold), a sharpener, an eraser, and a ruler—so she’s able to jot down any clever notes that come to mind while reading. And don’t worry—at 8½-inches by 5½-inches, it’s small enough to slip into her favorite book bag.

To buy: $30, papersource.com.

Imagine the horror of being in the middle of a page-turner and having your iPad suddenly lose power. Keep her reading through that long train ride with this glitzy, gold speckled portable charger. It connects directly to her tablet—no cords required—to keep her bag neat and organized. Looking for a gift for someone who wouldn’t dare touch an e-book? There’s nothing worse for a bookworm than ducking into the bookstore with a dead phone (How are you supposed to check Goodreads, after all?). Be a good friend and help keep her devices charged as she powers through her to-read list.

To buy: $23, saksoff5th.com.

You know her favorite activity is snuggling up with a book and a cup of tea on a chilly Saturday afternoon. Keep her cozy while reading with this slouchy raglan pullover. Adorned with fanciful script lettering that reads: “I have always imagined paradise to be a kind of library,” a quote from Argentine writer and poet Jorge Luis Borges, the sweater comes in eight colors, and the quote can be printed in either white or black ink. Since the seller makes each sweatshirt by hand, using a homemade silkscreen, please allow one to two weeks for creation and shipping.

To buy: $38, neenacreates.com.

This gift is great for people who like their spirits the same way they like their literature: classic. Have him pour his nightly Old Fashioned into a rocks glass that’s etched with the first edition inside cover and opening lines of Pride and Prejudice (“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”) Not an Austen fan? Etsy seller theUncommonGreen also sells the 11-ounce glass decorated with opening pages from more than 15 other great works, like H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and James Joyce’s Ulysses.

To buy: $13, theuncommongreen.etsy.com.

If there are two things no one can have enough of, it’s books and coffee cups. And this classic mug is perfect for the bookworm who loves coffee just as much as she loves novels. The cup says “readers gonna read” (a playful departure from “haters gonna hate”) in beautiful black script on both sides. It’s available in two sizes—11-ounce and 15-ounce—so she’ll have enough joe to fuel her session, whether she’s tearing through a short story or just cracking open that lengthy novel. The best part? It’s dishwasher safe, so that means less time cleaning dishes and more time reading.

To buy: $18, smallglow.etsy.com.

Designed by graphic artist Leanne Shapton, these beautiful book covers give Jane Austen’s timeless novels an artsy update. Offer your bookworm friend these colorful editions—she’ll love re-reading the classics over and over again, plus they’ll look so nice on her bookshelf. Choose from Pride & Prejudice, which comes in a red and black chevron pattern, Sense and Sensibility, which comes in a green and gold polka dot, or Emma, which comes in a peach-colored watercolor print. The books are sold individually, but the whole set would make for a generous (though not too pricey) gift.

To buy: $19 each, anthropologie.com.

Would you like a quote with your cup of English breakfast tea? Quotes from classic novels are paired with an equally classic black tea blend to create the perfect gift for your book-loving friend. This set includes 25 tea bags tagged with famous literary quotes (A few example: “Never judge a book by its movie,” “She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain,” and “Wear the old coat and buy the new book.”). The caffeinated black tea bags are perfect for serving up at the next book club meeting, too.

To buy: $15 for a set of 25, amazon.com.

Now your favorite book can be a part of your décor. A print of a book cover is set on a vintage encyclopedia page—you can choose from a variety of cover options, from classics like The Great Gatsby and The Little Prince to new favorites like The Goldfinch and Wild. No two pieces will be the same, and there may be some imperfections and yellowing. Although shown framed, the frame and matting are not included. Instead, the work of art comes carefully packaged in clear cellophane with a protective card backing to keep it from bending in transit.

To buy: $9, cartabancards.etsy.com.

The book collections of artist Jane Mount never get dog-eared. Each archival-image print features the definitive group of titles on one subject, like Southern literature (which features titles like The Color Purple, All the King’s Men, and, of course, Gone With the Wind), Tweens (which features popular YA reads like Harriet the Spy, Matilda, and Harry Potter), or Girl Stars, shown here (which features admirable leading ladies from novels like The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gables, and Sense and Sensibility). Choose from three different sizes. The eight-by-10-inch print is also available in a white box frame with white mat and Plexiglass.

To buy: From $34, janemount.etsy.com.

Share the latest and greatest must-read titles with friends, while knowing they’ll be returned (and on time!). This old-school kit is filled with all of the tools you’ll need, including 20 self-adhesive pockets and checkout cards, a date stamp and ink pad, and a pencil, to keep tabs on your precious paperbacks and hardcovers. The whole set comes packaged neatly in a box that can be used to house and keep all the supplies organized in perpetuity. When you’re all out of cards, a refill kit that comes with 15 self-adhesive pockets will keep your lending library open for business.

To buy: $11, amazon.com.