A Christmas Gift for All the Bibliophiles on Your List
Posted December 4, 2015 by Katie Caskey
In some ways, book lovers are the easiest people to buy a gift for. If all else fails, they will always be ecstatic to unwrap a new book. But wading through the infinite pool of possibilities to choose the perfect book (or book-related item) can be daunting at best. Enter this gift guide, complete with the best tried and tested book and gift options around! So before you head to the store this season, arm yourself with this list…and some sort of caffeinated beverage…and prepare to win at your holiday shopping this season!
For the traditional book lover…
In our glitzy, shiny, high-tech world, there are still those who love the dusty smell of an old book, love to crack open the binding and feel the coarse paper between their fingers. For the traditionalist on your list, steer clear of the chain stores with their e-readers and their paperback-filled shelves. Instead, visit your local used book store and hunt the racks for a hidden treasure. Maybe you’ll find an early edition of a Dickens classic, or a beautifully-bound collection of Shakespeare. The possibilities are endless, and you also get the gift of an afternoon spent browsing the shelves with fellow book-lovers. Happy hunting!
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For the young adult reader…
Teens today have gadgets and gizmos aplenty. This season, remind them of the joy that comes from getting lost in a real page-turner. If they already have a series or author they love, job done. Surprise them with the newest work in their collection. But if they are in a reading rut, or are looking for something new to try, may I recommend a few titles I’ve recently fallen in love with.
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation
By: M.T. Anderson
This book is beautifully written and crafted! The characters challenge the reader and the story envelopes you, drawing you into the world of Revolutionary War America and opening your eyes up to new sides of the narrative of our country’s formation.
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The Summer Prince
By: Alaya Dawn Johnson
Set in futuristic Brazil, this book dances along, telling the story of a young artist and the boy she wants to save from a ceremonial death. The reader is definitely thrown head-first into the world but as the story unfolds, new pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place. This is a beautiful and challenging read for the sci-fi fan on your list.
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For the kiddies (and kiddies at heart)…
As a strong believer in the power of the picture book, I will argue until I’m blue in the face that picture books are for anyone and everyone, from the newborn to the PhD candidate! The shelves of bookstores are chock full of absolutely stunning artwork and book designs. Take an afternoon to plop down on the floor of the kid’s section and revisit your childhood as you pour over some of these sweet Christmas picture books.
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For the person who has every book in the world!…
We all know that person. Their library is as big as the one in Beauty and the Beast! There is no way they can fit another book on their shelves! What do you get the person that loves books this much but just can’t find room for another one? You get them a book-themed gift, of course! Perfect for librarians, teachers, and SLIS students at Simmons College (hint, hint).
This card catalog book bag is perfect for trips to the library! I was so inspired when I saw a woman using it as an autograph “book” at the Horn Book Awards this year! What a great way to keep all your author/illustrator signatures together, dated, and organized (just like a library student likes it!)
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This scarf has been on my Christmas list for many years now! What a fun way to keep your favorite book close to you at all times! There are even some sites that allow you to submit your own text or page of writing for a customizable piece. That way, if your favorite book in the world doesn’t happen to be Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, or Alice in Wonderland, you can still jump on this bandwagon J
So there you have it…gift ideas for just about every kind of book lover on your list!
Happy shopping and Merry Christmas!!!