Inside the pages of books, I’ve felt entire ranges of human emotions, explored distant lands, learned incredible things and felt a kind of comfort that can’t be replicated anywhere else. And I know I’m not alone.
Reading just might the universal pastime of introverts, the shared language of empaths, the salve for escapists, sustenance for the curious and anyone else in between –– which means you most likely know a book lover or are one yourself.
With the holiday season of gift giving upon us, I’ve gathered some of the best gifts that I could find as an ardent lover of books — everything from book sets and essentials for the literary collector to book journals and glasses that help you read in the car if you experience motion sickness.
HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
An interactive display of all the essential novels that should be on every bibliophile’s list, this 16-by-12-inch scratch-off chart features some of literature's greats, like Kerouac's "On The Road," McCarthy's "Blood Meridian" and Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451."
We all know the feeling of getting so sucked into a book, you don't want to put it down. Luckily, swapping to an audio medium is a hands-free way to read on the go, whether in the car, at the gym or waiting in line at the market. A subscription to Audible lets your loved one have unlimited listening time to thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and other audio media, and a monthly credit, which can be accrued to buy audiobook downloads they can keep forever. Gift your favorite reader a one, three, six, or even 12-month subscription.
You've likely seen book-inspired Christmas tree ornaments before, but this one brings it to a whole new level. Choose anywhere from one to 100 mini-books and create a totally unique piece for your loved one featuring all their favorite books. This could be an amazing end-of-year gift as well, to show off all the books your giftee has completed this year.
Each month, your loved one can pick a book from Book of the Month's curated selection and read to their heart's content. Book of the Month features everything from early release books, debut authors and even classics that date back to 1926. Plus, the company promises a no-strings-attached relationship that makes it easy to cancel a subscription at any time and pick it back up whenever you want.
This nifty little tool allows you to hold a book open with one hand, saving you from an inevitable cramp after a long bout of gripping. The device is made with resin and is completely customizable. Message the Etsy seller to request anything from glitter to dried flowers to gold leaf in your ring.
A consistently top-selling item here at HuffPost, this hands-free neck light may look silly, but reviewers love it for its ease and adjustability. Use it for reading in a dark place or even when knitting or crocheting (other prime introvert activities.)
Whether you love to read in bed or on airplanes or just like having a little extra light, this compact option makes for a great stocking stuffer. Offering five levels of brightness. it clips onto your book or can be set on a desk or table and folds into itself making it super easy to travel with.
Make reading reclined even more comfortable with this handy lap desk featuring a soft, stuffed backing. It offers clamps at the bottom to hold a book in place and can be used with laptops and tablets too.
Not only does this tiny wooden dachshund brighten any desk or table, but it also gives you a set spot to keep your reading glasses. Hopefully, your reader will misplace them a little less, knowing that there's a stylish new stand that's just for eyeglass display.
Another book-inspired piece of wall part, this colorful chart showing off literary insults is a cheeky way to poke fun at friends and learn incredible one-liners from classic books. Each insult offered gives you the title and author of the book its from, inspiring your reader to read even more.
I think most literary lovers would agree that there's something about the harmonious blend of old books, real wood and dreamy leather chairs. This hand-poured soy candle is supposed to replicate those olfactory notes, transporting you to a gorgeous vintage library of your dreams.
This display-worthy set of clothbound classics, complete with gilded pages and ribbon book markers, features iconic works of fiction like F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Beautiful and the Damned" and Edith Wharton's "The House of Mirth."
As someone who has experienced extreme motion sickness their whole life, I've always regretted not being able to read in the car. Thankfully these bizarre-looking glasses have managed to change that and I never have to miss out on valuable reading time ever again. Designed to alleviate nausea, headaches and discomfort associated with motion sickness, these flexible soft glasses create an artificial horizon in order to resynchronize the body’s internal balance system. I've put these to the in-car reading test and I'm telling you, they really work.
These coated steel bookends could be a welcome addition to any reader's bookshelf, which is likely boasting spines upon spines of books. The minimal modern design in the shape of a city skyline can add a bold touch to any bookshelf.
This small but mighty clip-on light is essential for reading sessions that go on well into the night. It features a posable head, up to 60 hours of light per charge and several brightness settings, including two warm light functions.
Inside the pastel-colored cover of this journal is a place for readers to thoughtfully analyze the books they are reading, explore writing prompts, list memorable quotes and reflect upon their reading experiences for years to come.
A book lover's encyclopedia of sorts, Jane Mount's "Bibliophile" features a richly illustrated overview of some of the most iconic books throughout history, across multiple genres. Inside there are book excerpts, glimpses of the workspaces of well-known authors and more.
An avid reader can never have too many bookmarks. These double as a place to track and rate reads and resemble the nostalgic checkout slips in the back of library books.
This plush and supportive memory foam reading pillow is meant to put an end to compressed spines and hunched shoulders, especially while reading in bed. It features a detachable head pillow and an adjustable loft that allows you to remove or add filling based on your personal comfort.
Collegiate-looking, functional and outfitted in a beautiful forest green, this messenger-style satchel holds daily essentials (including books, of course) inside its double-compartment interior. It's worn backpack-style rather than over the shoulder, which can get exhausting after a while.
Finally, a bed light that doesn't take up space on your bedside table and offers and adjustable shade to ensure you don't blind your sleeping partner. And don't let the sleek midcentury modern design fool you — this sconce plugs in directly to an outlet so it doesn't require any complicated hardwiring to operate.
The number of times I wanted to say these very words to an extroverted onlooker that couldn't take a hint is alarming. If you know a reader who feels the same way, they will be eternally grateful to receive this high-gloss ceramic mug that's both dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
