The Best Gifts for Book Lovers Who Already Own Too Many Books

You know the person. 

They have a to-read stack on their nightstand, another on the couch, and a to-read list that's longer than most people's Netflix queues. You love them. You want to get them something nice. You do NOT want to get them another book they already own.

What to get the book lover who has everything, including every book ever published?

You get them something unique and thoughtful that celebrates their love of reading without contributing to the towers of books on their shelves.

A Book Nook: The Gift That Turns Their Shelf Into a World

If you haven't heard of this product before, go look it up now. I'm talking about book nooks, a miniature scenes that appear to protrude from between books on a shelf. These delicate dioramas capture the magic of a reading room in a highly accessible and highly giftable format. You can even build the nook yourself!

For a book lover, this is a dream come true. The nook doesn't just sit on your shelf, it inhabits the very space between the books, becoming part of your literary landscape.

By Anavrin makes some of the most beautiful ones out there. Here are a few of people favorites:

•  Old Shanghai: An atmospheric look at the layered streets of 1940s Shanghai, complete with glowing lanterns and authentic Chinese signage.
•  Cats Crossing: This adorable diorama features winding streets, whimsical signs, and cats that will charm your heart out.
• Kowloon Walled City 2049: A futuristic cyberpunk cityscape, perfect for readers who love to imagine alternate realities.
• Shiinamachi Station: A lovely miniature of a generic Japanese train station. Charming and pictures everyday life in a way that only Japan can be.

Building the book nook is also a joy. Usually taking a few hours to a few days to complete. These beautiful little scenes are a real treat for book lovers who also love puzzles or model-building.

A Reading Journal They'll Actually Use

Many book lovers struggle mightily with the desire to read, record, and review simultaneously.

A beautifully made reading journal provides the perfect solution to this problem. 

You want to find something that has space to write notes, ratings, and favorite quotes rather than just listing the book's title, author, and date.

Leather-bound journals feel especially luxurious, while reading journals featuring built-in prompts help encourage consistent use.

A Really Good Reading Light

You know the drill: your book club requires you to read a book that's way too long, you need to read something on your commute, or you simply want to read more often and for longer periods of time.

A reading light that clamps onto the book you're reading (or the e-reader you're using) is a godsend for situations like these. A nice reading light can make late-night reading sessions easier on your eyes and more comfortable overall.

The most useful reading lights also have a color temperature adjustment, so that you can simulate the warmth of traditional incandescent bulbs rather than the clinical whiteness of fluorescent lighting.

Bookend Art They Didn't Know They Needed

All book lovers eventually come to terms with one inconvenient truth: a bookshelf isn't a functional storage space, it's a work of art.

Beautiful bookends serve a utilitarian purpose, of course, but they also add style and visual interest to the shelf.

Look for bookends that reflect the recipient's personal style, whether that means minimalist modern designs, antique brass hardware, or something in between.

A Subscription to an Audiobook or Podcast Service

You know what this is, and you know someone who would love it.

A gift subscription to an online audiobook service provides the recipient with access to thousands of books, freeing them up to listen while commuting, exercising, or doing household chores.

This makes it a fantastically practical gift for anyone with a busy schedule. It's also a nice gesture in and of itself, since most thoughtful people realize that books, in any format, take time and effort to obtain and enjoy.

A Custom Literary Map or Print

Any seasoned reader is familiar with the idea of a book that haunts you for years, a book that casts a long shadow over your life. These books usually include a specific setting that you find yourself imagining over and over again, wondering what it would be like to visit there.

Custom literary maps are a wonderful gift for the book lover in your life, capturing beloved fictional settings in beautiful printed form. You can find unique map prints inspired by Jane Austen's Regency era England or J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, among many other options.

For a truly personalized touch, consider asking the recipient what their favorite book is first, then choose a map or print that depicts the setting most meaningful to them.

Scented Candles Designed for Reading Moods

This one seems obvious, but trust me, it's worthwhile.

Several smaller candle companies have begun to specialize in making scented candles specifically for readers, including candles with "library" or "bookstore" fragrances.

You can also find candles that smell like rainy days or nighttime mysteries, whatever you like! 

A reader who finds immense comfort in their reading nook or favorite chair will appreciate the extra effort and consideration that goes into a candle gift like this.

The Real Point of All of This

They're all wonderful gifts, but the book nook stands out from the rest in my opinion, as it's both incredibly useful and incredibly personal.

It lives among the recipient's books, sharing their bookshelf space and becoming a permanent part of their reading world.

The next time they see the little glowing nook nestled safely between their books, they'll think of you.

You can browse the full beautiful book nook collection at By Anavrin