You didn’t think I could get through the holiday gift guide season without a list dedicated to reading, did you?
As a lifelong book lover, I think gifts that make reading even more enjoyable are always a good idea. From practical accessories to cozy comforts (and a few unexpected ideas??), I’ve rounded up 15 gifts for the readers in your life.
Some of these are products I own and love. Others are things we’ve gifted over the years or items I think would make especially thoughtful presents.
And, as always, don’t overlook the possibility of finding some of these things secondhand. Several of my favourite reading accessories—including my beloved Kobo e-reader—were thrifted!
:::This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases:::
*All prices are in USD and reflect pricing as of publication in November 2026.
1. Mr. Pen Highlighters | $8 (8-pack)
I primarily use these highlighters in my Bible because they don’t bleed through the thin pages, but they’re great for highlighting all sorts of things.
If you know someone who likes to underline favourite passages or make notes while reading, these are a great little stocking stuffer. They come in multicoloured packs, too.
2. Neck Reading Light | $19
I bought my mom a neck reading light years ago, and she has LOVED it.
It’s such a practical gift for anyone who likes to read in bed without disturbing a partner (or who wants a portable light for reading on the go). Last year I gifted my dad this clip-on light ($9; 4.8 stars with over 42,000 reviews!), and personally own one like this.
3. Kobo E-Reader | $159
If you’re in Canada and want to borrow e-books through Libby/OverDrive, a Kobo is generally the way to go. For some inexplicable reason, Canadian public library e-book lending isn’t compatible with Kindle in the same way it is in the US.
John bought my Kobo for $15 at a thrift store, and it has worked like a charm for years. SUCH a good find.
After our recent European adventure, I’ve found myself reaching for my Kobo more and more. It’s lightweight, allows me to carry a dozen books everywhere I go (without any extra weight!), and I can read at night without turning on a lamp.
Plus, the screen is easy to read in bright sunlight, which makes it perfect for outdoor reading. I’ve become a huge fan. (It took a while… even after I first got a Kobo, my preference was for paper books, but now I would say I feel the exact opposite.)
4. Kindle Paperwhite | $199
For American readers, a Kindle Paperwhite is an excellent alternative.
I don’t own one myself, but most of my American friends do, and every single person I talked to recommended the Paperwhite.
If you’re shopping for someone who reads constantly, loves borrowing digital books from the library, or travels frequently, an e-reader is a fantastic gift.
6. STASH Tea Collection | $16 (35 tea bags)
Nothing brings a delightful afternoon of reading full circle quite like a warm cup of tea.
I’m a big fan of STASH tea, and I thought this collection of relaxing tea flavours would make a great gift.
Pair it with a book, a cozy blanket, and an afternoon with absolutely nothing on the calendar. Bliss.
7. Collapsible Library Tote | $22 (3-pack)
Despite my increased use of the Kobo, I still make weekly trips to the library.
We own one of these collapsible bags (in this exact pattern!), and it gets regular use.
I love that it folds down, but my favourite feature is the wide base. It makes loading and carrying a stack of library books much easier than using a regular, droopy canvas tote.
Practical AND cute.
8. Magnetic Bookmarks | $6 (15-pack)
Someone gifted Indy a magnetic bookmark earlier this year, and I am now obsessed. Mostly because I never lose them!
Magnetic bookmarks don’t slip out when you’re moving your book around!
A simple, inexpensive stocking stuffer for any reader (well, not someone who exclusively reads/listens on a device, I guess).
9. The Reverse Colouring Book | $8
For all the audiobook listeners out there who like to keep their hands busy while listening, may I introduce The Reverse Colouring Book?
I LOVE this concept.
Instead of colouring inside pre-drawn lines, you’re given colourful pages and get to add your own lines, shapes, and details.
We’ve gifted this exact book multiple times to friends, and Belle has used and loved it, too. It’s such a fun, creative activity.
Note: You’ll also want some black felt-tip pens to go along with it!
10. Dedicate a Tree in Someone’s Honour | Prices vary
This isn’t an affiliate link, but I wanted to include something a little different.
In the spirit of all the trees that make paper books possible, why not dedicate a tree in honour of a reader?
Trees for a Change offers tree dedication gifts, and I love the idea of giving something meaningful that also benefits the environment.
This would be an especially lovely option for someone who already has “everything they need” and insists they don’t need a gift.
11. Magazine Basket (and a Magazine Subscription!) | $35 (for the basket)
I’ve gifted a number of magazine subscriptions over the years, and I receive one annually from my parents.
It’s a gift that keeps on giving!
I don’t own this particular magazine basket, but I really love the aesthetic. I think it would make a beautiful gift paired with a subscription to someone’s favourite magazine.
12. Book Tabs | $7 (1600 pieces)
I own book tabs and used to use them ALL the time while reading paper books. They’re especially handy for marking quotes, interesting passages, or sections you want to revisit later.
I love that they’re small, inexpensive, and don’t require writing directly in a book. (A huge bonus for those of us who borrow most of our books from the library!)
13. One Line a Day Journal | $14
I’ve heard it said that some of the best advice for aspiring writers is to become a dedicated reader.
And since so many wonderful books are memoirs inspired by people’s real-life experiences, why not encourage the reader in your life to record a little bit of their own story?
A One Line a Day Journal makes journaling feel manageable. No pressure to fill pages and pages. Just a sentence or two about each day.
Another fun alternative? Use it as a reading journal to keep track of books finished, favourite quotes, or daily reading stats!
14. UnHide Faux-Fur Blanket | $189
A good book and a cozy blanket. Name a better combination. Go on. I’ll wait!
We own an UnHide faux-fur blanket (another thrifted find!), and it is SO warm and cozy.
UnHide is a vegan company, and the blanket has that wonderfully soft, luxurious feel that makes you want to curl up and stay put for hours.
Perfect for winter reading sessions.
15. Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor | $16 (for the paperback)
I couldn’t put together a gift guide for readers without including at least one actual book recommendation.
And my pick is Address Unknown.
This is NOT a light and fluffy read. But it made me think more than almost any other book I’ve read so far in 2026.
It’s chilling, prescient, and brilliantly written, in my opinion.
It’s also incredibly short, which makes its impact all the more remarkable.
If you know someone who appreciates thought-provoking historical fiction, this is one I’d strongly recommend.
Your turn!
- What’s the best book-related gift you’ve ever received?
- What’s your favourite way to consume books: a paper copy, an e-reader, or an audiobook?
- Do you have any reading accessories you absolutely swear by?
- If you could give everyone on your Christmas list ONE book this year, what would it be?
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Long comment eaten again. Sigh.
The book I would give as a gift ( and have done so!) Is The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis . For nonfiction, Being Mortal by Atul Gawande.
Im a low maintenence rrader- once im engrossed in a story I can be standing or sitting , in a noisy or quiet environment. Paper or psperwhite- both good!
My favorite book related gift I received was a brick. When the new library was built in my town, they did a fundraiser where for a donation, you’d get a brick in the patio inscribed as you wish. I told my husband that was what i wanted for my birthday/Xmas/ anniversary gift. So I get to see our family name on a brick everytime i walk to the door at the library!
I’m so sorry, mbmom11 🙁
Ha, I love that you can read in every environment.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that brick gift idea.
Great tips, Elisabeth! I bought a second-hand Kindle a few years ago, and I’m currently reading The Count of Monte Cristo in French on it. It’s taking FOREVER! One thing I really like is that if I come across a word I don’t know, I can simply tap it and get a translation.
Having said that, I still much prefer physical books. It’s so much easier to make notes, pop in a tab, and get a feel for how far you’ve progressed. Yes, the Kindle gives you a percentage, but somehow it’s just not the same!
And for bookmarks, I like using cards that people have sent me. It’s a nice way to put them to use rather than leaving them tucked away in a drawer!
YES! Similarly to your translation note, I LOVE that if there’s a word I don’t know the definition of, I can click and get a definition. I suppose it’s lazy, but I truly love not having to go look a word up elsewhere. Turns out… there are a lot of words I don’t know. In a paper book, I’ll just slide on past, but when I’m using my Kobo, I make a point of clicking the word and reading the definition.
Yup! I use postcards and cards for my main bookmarks, too! And one Belle made for me in school when she was very young for Mother’s Day!
Elisabeth! I was just writing a round-up of my vacation reading and was talking about my new Kobo. You might remember how glitchy my old one was – I bought a new one. My old one is still linked to the CPL and my new one to the Kelowna one. And I took both with me on the trip – and the old one did its usual glitchiness!
I asked for a new one line a day journal for Christmas as mine is almost full!
Hooray for new Kobo’s! I’m so glad you had a reliable one. On such a long trip A GIRL NEEDS HER BOOKS!!!
Pro tip for anyone who wants a deal on a new Kindle: get the kids version! It’s cheaper, comes with a cover, and once you register it and put your age in, it does everything that the adult version does. I could not get by without my Kindle. Or a good fuzzy blanket to snuggle under while I read.
Wow, that really IS a pro tip, Birchie. I had no idea.
I know that on Kindle’s you can go into airplane mode and extend the “life” of a book even after it’s due back at the library, but that doesn’t work for me on my Kobo. I’m not sure if I’m doing it wrong, or maybe it just doesn’t work the same in Canada/via Kobos??
We have the reading light and the reading pillow and both are FREQUENTLY used. I think my favorite reading related gift is a Book of the Month subscription. My husband and I used to get a joint subscription and it was so fun.
Ohhhh. GREAT idea! I’ve never done Book of the Month, but I can see that being a huge win for a reader on your shopping list.
I should get a new book tote or ask for one for Christmas. We use a nylon sort of bag that can fold up into very small little square but it has holes in it from years of use and it’s kind of not big enough as sometimes Taco checks out as many as 30 books in a library visit!
My MIL got me a neck light and while I rarely read physical books in bed, it is nice to have that light when I do read a physical book. I bought myself a new Kindle Paperwhite this year because my other one died. That is my preferred way to read. I like that it can sync with the kindle app on my phone so I can easily read a book on my phone when I have downtime. I like the idea of reading physical books but the convenience of ebooks wins out! Plus I love that I can always defer an ebook when it becomes available. I can’t do that with physical books (well, you can pause the hold but once it’s in route to you, there’s no going back!).
That is a lot of books. I remember those days when I was getting out HUGE stacks of picture books.
It took me a while to become convinced on the ereaders, but now I’m all in 🙂
I’m starting to feel like a neaderthal, but I only read actual, paper books. Every Christmas I give my husband a list of books I would like to get, heh heh, and include the links so he can ORDER THEM ALL! Then I have a Christmas “book flood.”
I love my book light, but I think I would like this neck light. Mine is a clip-on, and I think the neck light wold work better.
I LOVE YOUR BOOK FLOOD IDEA. I wish my family would get on board with this!!!!
Great suggestions, Elisabeth. Though I must say, I got a Kindle paperwhite as a gift a couple years ago and I loved it. For a year. Then the screen froze while I was in the middle of a book and nothing – nothing would unfreeze it. I have since found out that is a common problem with them 🙁
Oh no! Thanks for weighing in. I’ve never had a Kindle (and likely won’t unless Canadian libraries start opening them up with the library system). I’m so sorry you had that problem; they’re not cheap and should definitely work a lot longer than one year!