The Ultimate List of Bookish Gifts You Should Be Buying This Holiday Season

Bel Canto: The Annotated Edition by Ann Patchett

As a Nashvillian, Margo will read and do anything Ann Patchett tells her to. This special edition of Bel Canto over 20 years after its original publication would make such a great gift for Patchett loyalists or those captivated by the writing process. It’s a coffee table book-sized version with annotations in the margins from Patchett. She talks through her writing choices in the novel that covers a night of opera gone awry. It’s a fascinating look into an author’s mind and will make for such a unique reading experience.

Soups, Salads, Sandwiches by Matty Matheson

If you’re in Margo’s family, know that this is sitting at the top of her wish list. She’s so happy that Matty Matheson is getting his flowers, because she’s been a fan of his since before his rise to fame in The Bear. Matheson is a chef, host, recipe developer, and entrepreneur (in addition to an actor, and executive producer on The Bear). His latest cookbook, Soups, Salads, and Sandwiches, includes accessible yet distinct takes on…well…soups, salads, and sandwiches.

Coffee Table Books from Assouline

You can never go wrong with these stunning coffee table books from Assouline. Not only will the covers look great in any space, but they’re also filled with over 200 aesthetically pleasing photos. Pick from countless locations, depending on what’s sentimental to your giftee.

What I Ate in One Year (and Related Thoughts) by Stanley Tucci

Since the cancellation of Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, we will take any and all Tucci content to get our fix. This book, which is a combination of diary-esque entries and recipes, follows Tucci’s whereabouts and eats in 2023. Reading this feels like getting an intimate look into Tucci’s day-to-day life (including dinners with celebrity friends like Harry Styles, Blake Lively, and in-laws Emily Blunt and John Krasinski). He also sprinkles in some valuable life lessons. It’s the ultimate feel-good read that’s equal parts giftable and cozy for this time of the year.

Beach Read: Deluxe Edition by Emily Henry

Margo read Beach Read when it first came out in 2020, and she’s overdue for a re-read. In case you aren’t familiar, it follows two bogged-down writers who strike a deal to get out of their creative ruts and end up falling in love in the process. This gorgeous version of Henry’s first contemporary romance novel has an updated cover with gold detailing and sprayed edges. It’s the perfect gift for anyone new to the author or longtime superfans. It even includes a new introduction from Henry herself, along with a bonus epilogue.

The Mistletoe Mystery: A Maid Novella by Nita Prose

As soon as we saw that Nita Prose was coming out with a Christmas-themed Molly the Maid novella, we added it to our carts immediately. If you aren’t familiar with The Maid series, it’s essentially Amelia Bedelia meets Nancy Drew for adults. This one follows Molly solving yet another mystery, this time after a mishap at a Secret Santa event at the hotel where she works. At just 128 pages, this’ll be a quick and easy themed read when you’re home for the holidays.

Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or not, this is a rom-com fresh off the heels of Nobody Wants This that we’re pretty excited about. Café owner Abby Cohen is one of the only Jews in her small Vermont town, so when she’s tasked with creating a Hanukkah festival for its tourism board, she puts out a call for help online. Who answers the call? Her annoying, overly nice customer Seth. In this grumpy sunshine-meets-fake dating romance, Seth agrees to help Abby with the festival as long as she shows up to his family’s Hanukkah celebration as his fake Nice Jewish Girlfriend.

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

Charlotte Donovan has rebuilt her life after her ex called off their wedding five years ago, joining a string ensemble to make friends and pass time. When she accepts her ensemble mate Sloane’s invitation for some holiday fun with her family in Colorado, she unfortunately discovers that Sloane’s sister is friends with her ex and has brought her home, too. Now, she’s forced to be with her ex for the entirety of the trip — and it doesn’t help that Sloane’s mom has found a bunch of dating-related holiday events for the group. This cozy book is a must if you’re looking for a steamier read ahead of the holidays. You’re welcome.

Consider this the Stanley snack tray for book people. The TikTok-famous Strapsicle clutch is essentially a purse for your e-reader: It comprises a protective silicone case and a wrist strap for easy carrying, and there’s room inside to fit your phone, keys, and lip balm. You’ll be happy to have this for your next beach vacation or park hang. ($25.99, Strapsicle)

Yes, this is a bookmark in the shape of a stick of butter. Because why not have a stick of butter-shaped bookmark? This would be a very cute stocking stuffer for the reader friend who also has a cheeky sense of humor (can we be friends with them, too?). We’re also big fans of this trash can raccoon version. ($6.50, Barnes & Noble)

If they’re particularly proud of their book collection, they’ll appreciate this embossing stamp you can personalize with their name and a proprietary phrase, like “From the Library Of.” It’ll also ensure that their books return to their rightful owner after lending them out. ($32.50+, Etsy)

This one’s pretty genius. This clock uses quotes from books to tell the time, drawing on over 13,000 quotes culled from several centuries’ worth of texts. It’s updated daily, so you’ll rarely get a repeat. It’s a unique way to tell the time, of course, but it’ll also introduce them to new reads to add to their TBR. We love a secretly educational gift. ($199+, Uncommon Goods)

No reading session is complete without a mood-setting candle. This aptly-named Bibliotheque candle from Byredo (Caroline’s favorite luxury fragrance brand) contains notes of leather, patchouli, violets, and stone fruits, a combination meant to evoke the coziness of an old-world library. If you really love them, gift them the matching perfume, as well. ($47+, Nordstrom)

Complete their reading-session tableau with this book-shaped desk lamp. It has a built-in LED light, so it’s portable, and it runs for up to eight hours on a single charge. It emits a soft, cozy glow. The cutest part: It folds up just like a book, so they can slot it right into their bookcase for easy storage. ($89.99, Wayfair)

FP Movement’s Quilted Carryall Bag has ascended to cult status for its quilted texture and roomy interior that can hold pretty much anything — and while many customers use it for the gym or commuting, book people know it’s the best thing to bring with you on a bookstore crawl. Go ahead, get those hardcovers. ($68, FP Movement)

Or book club. This set of coasters depict four classic book covers, and they’re all handmade on marble, so each one is slightly different from the other. Yes, we were just as delighted as you are to discover that the Library of Congress has an online store. We’ll be buying this perfect tee for ourselves. ($45, Library of Congress)

We can’t think of a better gift for audiobook lovers than a subscription to Audible Premium Plus, which gives them access to thousands of titles and exclusive member deals. And now’s the time to do it: Until January 21, eligible Amazon customers in the US can sign up for the service at $0.99 per month for the first three months. Also, from November 20 to December 2, eligible customers who sign up for Audible Premium Plus will also receive a $20 Audible credit. PS: Send them our audiobook guide along with their new subscription. (Sign up)