You know the reader in your life has enough books when their nightstand has its own zip code. Buying them another one feels risky. They might already own it, they might have three copies from three different special editions, or they might just be out of room. So what sort of gift do you get that fellow reader you know who already owns too many books and probably wants something different for a change?
The good news is that a great reader gift doesn't have to be a book at all. It can be something that makes the reading they're already doing better: a bookmark that actually stays put, stickers for the Kindle they carry everywhere, supplies for the annotating they've been meaning to start. Below are ideas organized by what they solve, along with a few general picks for when you want to round out a gift box.
Why This Gift Is Genuinely Hard to Shop For
Readers are tricky to shop for precisely because they read a lot. A casual reader might not own the book you're eyeing. A serious one probably does, or has strong opinions about why they haven't picked it up yet. Add in personal taste in genre, format, and even edition, and "just get them a book" turns into a minefield.
The way around it is to shop for the reading experience instead of the reading material. Bookmarks, annotation tools, Kindle accessories, and cozy extras don't require you to guess their taste in plot. They just need to fit how they read.
Bookish Stationery and Accessory Picks
These are the kinds of gifts a reader will actually reach for, whether they're deep into a paperback or reading on a Kindle propped against their coffee mug.
Bookmarks
A reader with too many books almost certainly has too few good bookmarks, or is still using a receipt to hold their place. A magnetic bookmark clips onto the page without bending the spine, and a laminated one holds up to daily use in a bag or backpack.
MIL's handmade and laminated bookmarks are built for exactly this kind of everyday reading, not just for looking nice on a shelf. They come in different designs with plenty of cute, bookish sayings and there are also seasonal options like bookmarks for Halloween!
Every reader uses something to mark the page, so more bookmarks are helpful when you know someone who just has too many books anyways.
Stickers
Vinyl stickers dress up a water bottle, a laptop, or the inside of a clear Kindle case without committing to anything permanent. A themed sticker set, whether that's cottagecore, dark romance, or something ocean-inspired, gives a reader a small, low-pressure way to show off what they're into.
Annotation Supplies
If the reader on your list has started dog-earing pages or highlighting straight into their paperbacks, a set of annotation tabs or a small annotation kit is a genuinely useful upgrade. It's a gift that says you've noticed how they actually read, not just that they read.
Kindle Accessories
For readers who've moved most of their library onto a Kindle, decorating it is part of the fun. A Kindle insert slides behind a clear case with no adhesive involved, so it can be swapped out whenever they want a new look. It's a gift with almost no risk of duplication, since most readers only own one Kindle at a time.
Stationery bundles
For a bigger gift, a curated stationery bundle brings several of these together at once. Rather than picking a single item, you're handing over a small collection of bookmarks, stickers, and accessories that a reader can use over months, not minutes. A lot of these are also built around notebooks and writing in those notebooks, meaning that they can jot down ideas, write their own little fun book reviews and more.
Blind Date With a Book
This one bends the "no more books" rule, but in a way that usually gets a pass. Since the book is wrapped and unidentified until they open it, there's no risk of a duplicate, and it comes paired with small bookish extras. It's a fun middle ground for someone who says they don't want more books but secretly wouldn't mind one more surprise.
General Non-Book Gift Ideas
If you want something other than the standard bookish gift ideas, then you can check out some other products that MIL currently carries that may also be great for your reader friends:
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An MIL digital gift card that can be purchased in multiple denominations and sent to your friend’s email address. That way, they can pick out whatever they want from the MIL collections they like the most.
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Keychains and bag charms are also an awesome gift and a lot of people who love books likely also carry backpacks, tote bags, and purses. Keychains and bag charms let them decorate their stuff to express their personality.
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Jewelry is a great choice as well and don’t necessarily just have to be bookish in nature. You can find necklaces, bracelets, and other amazing items that will be great for your reader friends and you can check out MIL’s offerings in that department too!
You can also add these gift ideas onto other ones like for instance including a bracelet with the Blind Date With a Book Deluxe bundle so that you can give your friends a reading gift while also getting them something uniquely handmade from MIL.
FAQ
What do you get a reader who says they have too many books?
Look for something that supports their reading instead of adding to their shelf. Bookmarks, annotation supplies, and Kindle accessories are all safe bets since they're rarely duplicated the way a specific title can be.
Is a Blind Date With a Book a good gift for someone with too many books?
Usually, yes. Because the book stays a surprise until it's unwrapped, there's very little chance the reader already owns it, and the small bookish extras included make it feel like more than just one more book.
What's a good gift for a reader who reads mostly on a Kindle?
A Kindle insert or a themed sticker set for the case is a great option. Both let a reader personalize their device without adding to a physical bookshelf at all.
How much should I spend on a gift for a reader?
It depends on the occasion, but a thoughtful bookmark or sticker set works well under $15, while a stationery bundle or paired gift set fits comfortably in the $25 to $40 range for something more substantial.
What if I don't know their favorite genre?
Stick to genre-neutral gifts like bookmarks, annotation tools, or a Kindle insert in a general design. These work for any reader regardless of what's currently on their nightstand.
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