The best books to give as a gift is not a “one size fits all” answer– it depends on the recipient’s interests, as there is no shortage of books. Personalized or thoughtfully chosen books, such as themed coffee table books, special diet cookbooks, or signed copies of favorites, show you’ve made an effort and make your gift both meaningful and memorable.
Here, you’ll learn how to choose a book as a gift by considering the recipient’s interests, hobbies, and reading preferences. I’ll guide you to consider his or her personality and find special books that align with their unique qualities. Let’s get started!
How To Choose A Book Gift
Before you consider my favorite types of books to gift, you should brainstorm the following about your gift recipient:
- Favorite books, authors, and genres
- Hobbies and interests
- Favorite things (team, TV show, type of food, etc.)
- Upcoming travel
- Current life events (new job, new baby, new home, etc.)
These details will help you choose specific titles from each type of book described below.
Best Books to Give As Gifts For Adults: Men, Women, A Friend, or A Colleague
A Signed Book
A signed book by a beloved author is such a special gift. I save all of mine on a special bookshelf in my reading room.
Here, I linked Lauren Graham’s books because I grabbed one for my sister (a Gilmore Girls superfan) at an author event, and she squealed upon receiving it!
Besides an author event, the best places to find signed books are at Barnes & Noble, bookstores local to a specific author, and author’s websites.
A Graphic or Illustrated Edition
If your gift recipient loves a popular book or series, you may be able to get a graphic or illustrated edition for him or her to collect.
Personally, I am a huge fan of the illustrated and interactive editions of Harry Potter and children’s classics by MinaLima. Take a peak inside by clicking “Read a Sample” on Amazon — they are so magical!
Related Posts: Harry Potter Gifts for Adults | Harry Potter Stocking Stuffers for Adults
A Collectors or Special Edition
If you know his or her favorite book, you may also be able to gift them a special or other collectors edition.
I love Rifle Paper Co.’s Puffin in Bloom collection of various women’s classics because they are as beautiful as artwork and can be displayed. They make great English teacher gift ideas.
Related Post: Little Women Gift Guide
A Coffee Table Book
Here is where you can consider a person’s unique interests and pick a display book that exquisitely captures it.
If you want a book for a book lover, I recommend Bibliophile. It’s a colorful celebration of all things literary, featuring eye-catching illustrations of iconic bookstores, book stacks, fictional meals, and author workspaces. It also includes quizzes, book recommendations, and literary facts.
A Book Set
If you have a bigger budget ($50+), then consider a book set for your gift recipient. It will really make a statement!
Besides the ones I already mentioned, I am highlighting my Jane Austen hardcover book set. I love that it comes with a journal, too!
Related Post: Jane Austen Gift Guide
A Vintage Book
A vintage book is so incredibly special. The right book can make them feel nostalgic. It can also be worth money!
I visit a lot of library sales and love to collect American Girl and Baby-Sitters Club books from my childhood. I also think fans of Stephen King books would love to collect old editions of his popular works.
You can also shop for vintage books on PangoBooks. New customers can get $5 off your first purchase of $10 or more with code LITLIFE.
Related Post: American Girl Gifts
A Book With Sprayed Edges
Sprayed book edges are all the rage right now and sell out like crazy with fans of popular titles.
I’m highlighting the bestselling fantasy book Fourth Wing here because it more or less started this trend. The first edition with sprayed edges sold out everywhere and was being re-sold for hundreds of dollars! (This is a different, special edition.)
A Personalized Book
When I say “a personalized book,” I don’t necessarily mean one of those books where you fill in the blanks about a person, though you can certainly gift that, too.
What I mean is consider things like a new hobby your gift recipient wants to try or a book about his or her favorite sports team. Your thoughtfulness will show.
For example, someone gifted me Rick Steves’s guide to Italy when we were planning our honeymoon, and it was really useful!
An Annotated Book
Annotated books by the author are fairly rare right now, but I think they are going to become a more popular trend and we will see more of them over time.
They are reprints of books with the author’s notes in them. How cool?! I would totally re-read a favorite title in this format.
Pictured here, my favorite author Ann Patchett has recently released an annotated copy of her bestseller, Bel Canto. It’s a good gift for an author!
Of note, annotations can come in other formats, too, such as scholarly commentary.
A Book You Loved
There’s something special about gifting a book you loved to someone else.
To each, his or her own, but that “one book” I love to put in everyone’s hands is the family drama (and Pulitzer Prize finalist) The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. It’s so beautiful it gave me chills. (I told you she was my favorite!)
How to Make Your Book Lovers’ Gift Ideas Extra Special
You’ve already done half the labor by choosing a special book gift, so let’s go the extra mile and make your gift packaging extra special, too.
Here, Pippi Post shares how to wrap a book with a pocket where you can add goodies like bookish stickers, bookmarks, and even notes about why you chose the book, which Pippi Post sells!
HOW TO WRAP YOUR BOOK GIFT
Recap
To recap, in choosing the best books to give as gifts, consider the unique qualities of your gift recipient, then shop for special books like signed books at Barnes & Noble, vintage books at PangoBooks, and other special editions and sets on Amazon.
Related Gift Guides
If you loved this post, then check out more of my blogger gift guides:
- Gift Guide For Book Readers
- Gifts for Kindle Readers
- Gifts For Book Clubbers
- Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Book Lovers
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
