"I declare after all," Jane Austen wrote, "there is no enjoyment like reading!" Next time a special occasion rolls around, give the book lover in your life a gift they're sure to enjoy. Cheapism has bookmarked these great gifts for dedicated readers, most of them less than $50.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
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$43 from Amazon
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Every magnificent library begins with one book. Start building your own collection with a copy of this book, written by a book designer and a bookseller.
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$34 from Homesick
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Enjoy some aromatherapy along with your next book club discussion. This soy wax candle has a scent profile that includes hints of oranges, cinnamon, vanilla, and balsam, and can burn for up to 80 hours.
$10 from Amazon
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This cute LED book light has a flexible neck and does double duty as a bookmark. Available in 21 colors and patterns, including cute critters like cats and penguins.
$22 from Amazon
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Perhaps you take your personal library so seriously that you want to check books in and out to your friends the way they used to do in public libraries. This kit comes with 20 return-date slips, 20 self-adhesive pockets, plus a date stamp and ink pad.
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$16 from Unemployed Philosophers Guild
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Let everyone know who your favorite author is with this two-pin set from the Unemployed Philosophers Guild. If Jane Austen isn't your cup of tea, you'll also find pins featuring the likenesses of Edgar Allen Poe, Kurt Vonnegut, James Baldwin, as well as other notables such as Mr. Rogers, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Marie Curie, and many more.
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$130 and up from Amazon
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Some libraries may still be closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, but readers can still borrow ebooks online. A dedicated e-reader like this one will let you keep feeding your head, pandemic or not, and it's a lot easier to tote than a pile of library books.
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$38 from Etsy
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Know someone who loves felines as much as they do reading e-books? Then get 'em one of these cat-themed Kindle covers made of vegan leather. They're available in seven patterns and three colors; order early because they ship from Australia.
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$13 and up from Amazon
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Susan Orlean, essayist and best-selling author of "The Orchid Thief," chronicles the headline-grabbing 1986 blaze that destroyed more than 400,000 books and other holdings at the main branch of the Los Angeles Public Library.
$34 from Etsy
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A cover for your Kindle is a good idea if you're always taking your e-reader on the road, but why be boring? A handmade cover like this one protects your gadget and looks good doing it, plus there's an external pocket to slip a phone or notebook into. Bertie's Closet sells covers in a variety of sizes and fabric styles, plus offers custom options.
$14 from Etsy
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This tie clasp is a subtle, stylish way to proclaim their love of all things book-related. Made of hand-stamped aluminum, the tie bar can be customized with the wearer's initials or one of dozens of different icons.
$200 from Wayfair
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Put your favorite books on display for all to see (and give that empty corner of the room some love) with this fun, functional vertical bookshelf. Fabricated from steel and available in black or white, it measures 5 feet tall.
$15 from Amazon
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No more dog-earing pages or applying neon-colored sticky flags when you want to mark a passage in the book you're reading. These brass flags are a tasteful, reusable alternative. Each tin contains 125 flags.
$200 from MoMA Design Store
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Never be left in the dark again (or be forced to read by flashlight). This clever indoor-outdoor lamp opens to reveal the warm glow of its illuminated Tyvek "pages." The laser-cut wood cover can be opened a full 360 degrees to create a dramatic glow, and magnets embedded within mean it can be mounted on a metallic surface, to get it out of your way while you work.
$10 and up from Etsy
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There's something special about leafing through a vintage paperback, especially when it's a page-turner of a classic mystery by Agatha Christie, Erle Stanley Gardner, or another British writer. The iconic green Penguin covers look great on a bookshelf, too.
$20 from New York Puzzle Co.
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The New Yorker paid tribute to the city's iconic Strand bookstore in 2017 with this cover illustration. The 1,000-piece puzzle will keep any bibliophile occupied for hours, just as you can lose track of time when browsing the Strand's famous 18 miles of books.
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$45 from Powell's Books
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If you're in Portland, Oregon, you go to Powell's for books. If you're not in Portland, Powell's will bring the books to you, every six to eight weeks, by mail. Each shipment contains a signed hardback copy of a notable book from an independent publisher, plus a second surprise book and other goodies to keep things fun. Powell's also has a similar service for kids called Boox.
$33 from Amazon
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Once that home library has been assembled, you'll probably start lending books to friends and family. This embosser is a gentle way of reminding borrowers whom to return the book to when finished. Use it on book pages or on foil stickers (sold separately).
$12 from Amazon
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TV studios and offices are out; Zoom calls and TV broadcasts from home are the new normal. And viewers are judging the people they see by what's on their "credibility bookshelves" in the background. (We are, too.)
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$24 from Amazon
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Discover the great books of the world — as well as the authors and histories behind them — with this richly illustrated text that celebrates the world of literature. From autobiographies to fiction, poetry, and beyond, there's a world of books out there to discover.
$35 from Amazon
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If you don't own enough books to fill an entire shelf — or you just want to display a few select tomes — a set of cleverly designed bookends like these will keep your books in order.
$3 from Etsy
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Always wanted to pretend you're one of those tattooed hipsters you see at the indie bookstore and coffee shop downtown but don't have any desire to get inked for real? This temporary tattoo will let you wear your love of books on your sleeve (or close to it), then wash away when the novelty grows thin.
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$20 from Amazon
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Delve into the history of books, from the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead to noteworthy bestsellers of the 20th century like "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson, with this richly illustrated text.
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Varies from eBay
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Know someone who absolutely cherishes a certain title above all others? For the beloved bibliophile in your life, consider a vintage edition from a local bookseller or online. You'll find scores of titles on eBay, ranging from inexpensive midcentury pulp fiction to priceless signed first editions.
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$9 from Amazon
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No more boring bookmarks. Period. Full stop. End of story.
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$40 from Amazon
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Know someone who likes to soak in the tub while they read? Then get 'em this bamboo bathtub tray. It expands from 29.4 inches to 44.2 inches and has room for a book or e-reader, plus space for a drink, soaps and lotions, and whatever else you require at bathtime. Available in three colors.
$18 from Uncommon Goods
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Is he the type who’s always misplacing his glasses — even if he won’t admit it? This wooden eyeglasses holder measures just shy of 6 inches tall and provides the perfect perch for a pair of specs. They’re handcrafted in India, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the communities that produce them.
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$18 from Etsy
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For that friend of yours who has seen every Stephen King movie, read his every book, and can never, ever get enough thrills and chills, there's this cotton T-shirt. It's available in seven colors and in sizes from small to 3XL, including women's fittings.
$28 from Amazon
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Book lovers can hike, too. Give this the armchair-hiker you know "100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Scenic Trails." Find a trek nearby if possible, and go find the trailhead with your bookworm.
$16 from Amazon
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Don't let your reader feel guilty about tossing a notebook into the trash. Rocketbook solves this problem with its reusable pages. Simply write with a Frixion pen and microwave the book to wipe away any notes (no joke).
$15 and up from Trade Coffee
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There is nothing better than curling up with a good book and a warm cup of coffee. Trade Coffee subscription service will introduce your reader to 50 highly rated roasters such as Cuvee Coffee in Austin, Huckleberry in Denver, and Revelator in Birmingham, Alabama.
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