Finding the Perfect Gift for Your Bookish Bestie

Shopping for bookish friends can feel deceptively tricky. They love stories, characters, and cozy reading rituals — but chances are, their shelves are already overflowing. The good news? The best gifts for readers don’t always have to be just books. From beautifully designed editions to charming accessories and immersive reading experiences, there are so many thoughtful ways to celebrate the book lover in your life.

Finding the perfect gift for the bookish person in your life can feel overwhelming. Whether they read 100+ books a year, or are a casual reader, the Benevolent Dragon Bookshop is here to help with a few ideas that are sure to make them feel seen and understood.

Special Editions & Beloved Reads for Their TBR

A beautiful book is always a welcome gift, especially when it’s an edition that feels collectible. Titles like A Court of Thorns and Roses Collector’s Edition, Throne of Glass Collector’s Edition, and Bonded by Thorns (Deluxe Edition) elevate a reading experience with stunning design details that feel worthy of display.

For fantasy lovers, classics like Mistborn, Warbreaker, Elantris, and Tress of the Emerald Sea offer epic storytelling, while newer favorites like The Serpents and the Wings of Night, One Dark Window, and Two Twisted Crowns deliver moody, immersive worlds readers love to sink into.

If your friend prefers romance or romantasy, titles such as The Love Hypothesis, Wild Love, Butcher & Blackbird, or You Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea make thoughtful, feel-good gifts they’ll devour.

Consider a Blind Date… With a Book

For readers who love surprises, a Blind Date With a Book is the perfect choice. With options ranging from romance and dark romance to fantasy, romantasy, YA, thrillers, and murder mysteries, this gift turns reading into an event.

Wrapped and genre-labeled, it invites readers to step outside their comfort zone and rediscover the magic of not knowing what comes next. It’s an especially fun option for bookish friends who “don’t know what to read next” — and a unique gift they’re unlikely to buy for themselves.

Bookish Accessories That Spark Joy

Not every gift needs to take up shelf space. Small, thoughtful accessories often become daily favorites. Enamel pins like the “I’ve Lived a Thousand Lives” Book Stack Pin, Read Books Empowerment Pin, and whimsical floral or insect designs lets your bookish bestie express themselves no matter where they are. 

Keyrings such as the Book Worm Keyring, Autumn Magic Moon Keyring, Moon Vintage Tarot Card Keyring, and gothic-inspired obsidian or moth designs are practical while still feeling magical. They’re perfect stocking stuffers or add-ons to a larger gift.

Cozy Mugs & Trinkets for Reading Nooks

A cozy reading ritual isn’t complete without a favorite mug. Designs like the Fairy Folklore Print Mug, Poisonous Plants Gothic Botanical Enamel Mug, or Midnight Bloom Floral Mug pair beautifully with quiet reading time and warm drinks.

Trinket dishes — including crescent moon forest designs, fairy folklore prints, or floral bug sets — give readers a charming place to rest rings, bookmarks, or enamel pins while they read.

Creative Gifts for Slower, Cozy Days

For book lovers who also enjoy unplugging, coloring books make wonderful gifts. Options like Cozy Corner Coloring Book, Cozy Friends, Cute Little Den, Plants & Flowers, Wonderful Insects, and Winter Paradise are calming, aesthetic, and perfect for relaxed afternoons.

These pair beautifully with a novel or blind date book for a full “cozy night in” gift bundle.

Thoughtful Extras That Feel Personal

Finish your gift with smaller touches that show you really get them. Stickers with witty or bookish humor, a simple notebook for reading notes, or a canvas tote bag for bookstore trips all add personality without overwhelming.

For the ultimate bookish bundle, combine a special edition book or blind date selection with a mug, pin, and keyring — creating a gift that feels curated, intentional, and deeply personal.

The Best Bookish Gifts Tell a Story

At the end of the day, the best gifts for bookish friends aren’t just about the item — they’re about the feeling. Whether it’s the thrill of a surprise book, the comfort of a cozy mug, or a tiny pin that captures their love of reading, these gifts celebrate stories in all their forms.

And that’s something every book lover will appreciate.