The Best Gifts for Book Lovers (2023)
There’s nothing quite like losing yourself in a book. You might not be able to transport your loved ones into their favorite stories, but you can help them spruce up their cozy reading corner. If there’s anything we’ve learned from #BookTok, it’s that there are tons of accessories to upgrade those reading sessions. If someone on your gift list is rather bookish, you’re in luck. We’ve put together our favorite gifts for book lovers, and we’ve tested every one of these gadgets.
Table of Contents
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E-Readers
We love physical books, but even the most paperback-obsessed among us can appreciate the ease of a good e-reader. If your giftee flies through books or needs to have a read with them at all times, they may like one too. These devices are small and light, give you access to virtually any book you want to read at any time, and even let you check out free library books instantly. We also like that they’re isolated from your other apps and social media, creating a distraction-free environment.
Best Overall
The Kindle Paperwhite is our favorite e-reader. It is easy to set up and download books directly from Amazon or your local library via Overdrive. Both the standard Paperwhite and Signature editions (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are waterproof, with adjustable warm lighting. The latter gets 32 gigs of storage over 8 GB, its lighting can automatically adjust to your surroundings, and it can be charged wirelessly.
For kids, consider the Paperwhite Kids for $170 or the base model Kindle Kids for $120. Both come with a case, a year of Amazon Kids+, and a two-year worry-free warranty. The Paperwhite is waterproof, but the cheaper one isn’t. There are a few other Kindles available, so read our Best Kindles guide if you want to learn more. Sick of Amazon’s ecosystem? Consider the Kobo below.
Runner-Up
Kindles have the best interface, but there are good Kindle alternatives, including the Kobo Libra 2. It’s waterproof and has physical page-turn buttons—a feature I think should be included on every e-reader. There are 32 gigabytes of storage to fill, which shouldn’t be hard, since Kobo’s library is large and its prices are similar, if not an exact match, to Amazon’s. Its Overdrive integration makes it easy to check out library books too.
E-Reader Accessories
There are a few accessories you may want to add, whether you’re giving an e-reader or your giftee already has one they love.
A Sleeve
This beautiful sleeve is a great gift for anyone who already has an e-reader (and for the mystical among us). E-readers are pretty sturdy, but this keeps it safe while bouncing around in a bag. It fits the Kindle Paperwhite and Kobo Libra, and the product page lists other compatible devices. There are larger sleeves for physical books too. The Quirky Cup Collective is a small business in Australia, so you’ll have to account for shipping time before the holidays. We have some regular case recommendations too.
A Hand Strap
Hand cramps always hit when the story is just getting good. They can happen with books, but some e-readers have thin bezels that only leave a small space for your hands to rest. Strapsicles eliminate that issue. Each pack comes with two soft silicone straps, and you can attach one or both. One is angled for easily slipping your right hand through, and the other is angled for the left. Your hand just cradles the device—no more cramps—and the straps also reduce accidental drops.
It’s also worth considering PopSockets. Yes, they were originally built for smartphones, but they also work perfectly for e-readers. There are tons of cute ones, so there’s something for everyone you’re buying for, whether they like Baby Yoda, tarot, or Disney. I prefer the Strapsicle, as the PopSocket can hurt my fingers after long periods of use.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
There’s nothing worse than constant distractions when you’re trying to dive into a book. We highly recommend a pair of noise-canceling headphones or earbuds to keep noise at bay.
Best Overall
The AirPods Max are pricey (8/10, WIRED Recommends), but we’ve crowned them The Absolute Best in our Best Noise-Canceling Headphones guide. They pack excellent sound with great build quality, stellar noise reduction, and seamless connectivity. They’re a good choice for folks who are already locked into the Apple ecosystem, especially if they tend to read in noisy environments, like a coffee shop or the subway.
If your giftee prefers earbuds, you can opt for the AirPods Pro with USB-C ($238). They pack top-of-the-line noise-canceling and call quality, a new IP54 rating, and a case with a USB-C port.
Runner-Up
If you’re looking for over-the-ear headphones with a more…
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