Give the gift of books

The time is fast approaching for last minute holiday shoppers to desperately think of gifts for their loved ones.

You know who you are, Last Minute Charlies.

For those who are wondering what to get their friends and loved ones:

Books!

You might think book lovers are hard to shop for, but there are some things that they are sure to love. (Just don’t get them a book they haven’t read yet that you think they might like. In my experience, nine out of ten times the gift giver is completely wrong, and then I and others like me are put in the awkward position of gracefully accepting something that we would probably never have picked out for ourselves. Just so you know.)

DO get the book lover in your life a book they have read. Get a special edition. Most likely, they will not have it, because they have probably been salivating over that edition for ages but were too afraid to shell out the cash for something they already had a less fancy version of. So treat them!

Collections are always a good idea, especially for those who like poetry. This is a thoughtful gift, and something the recipient can always come back to and peruse while thinking fondly of you.

As far as accessories, book lights are fantastic, because we don’t want to stop reading once the sun goes down! These are especially handy gadgets for readers who travel. Bookmarks–especially quirky, fun ones–are always welcome (I am ALWAYS losing mine).

And then there is the tried and true gift certificate. Don’t consider the gift card to be a last ditch effort: really, it is a little piece of plastic opportunity for us bookworms to go on a shopping spree we might otherwise not be able to indulge in.

So fear not! Shopping for your bookish cohorts is easier than you think.