Gifting books is an act of optimism and projection. You’re saying “I think you’ll love this” while also revealing something about how you see the person. Get it right and you’ve given them hours of pleasure. Get it wrong and the book sits unread, a small monument to miscommunication.

Here’s how to gift books that people actually read and appreciate.

The Fundamental Question

Do they actually want a book?

Some people love receiving books. Others smile politely and resell them unread. Before gifting a book, consider:

• Do they read regularly for pleasure?
• Have they mentioned wanting to read more?
• Do they have visible bookshelves or talk about books?
• Do they have reading time in their life?

If the answers are mostly no, consider a different gift.

Matching Book to Person

For people you know well:

Think about their actual interests, not what you wish they’d read. Your literary fiction recommendation won’t work for someone who only reads thrillers, no matter how good you think it is.

For people you don’t know well:

Go safer. Widely appealing books, beautifully designed editions, or books about their known hobbies.

For people who don’t read much:

Short books, graphic novels, or books about topics they’re passionate about. Something that meets them where they are.

Beyond the Bestseller List

Bestsellers are bestsellers for a reason—they appeal broadly. But they’re also what everyone receives. Dig slightly deeper for more memorable gifts.

Instead of the latest thriller bestseller, try:

• A classic mystery they missed (Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers)
• An international crime novel in translation
• A thriller from a debut author getting buzz

Instead of the latest literary fiction everyone’s reading, try:

• A backlist title from the same author
• A similar book from 5-10 years ago that holds up
• Something from a small press doing interesting work

Instead of the obvious self-help bestseller, try:

• A more thoughtful book on the same topic
• A memoir that addresses similar themes through story
• A classic in the field that has staying power

The Inscription Problem

If you write an inscription, be specific.

Generic: “Hope you enjoy! Love, Sarah”

Better: “I thought of you when I read the hiking scenes. Hope you love it as much as I did. Sarah”

Best: “Remember our conversation about changing careers? This memoir explores similar questions. Would love to hear what you think. Sarah”

Inscriptions create pressure. The recipient feels obligated to read and report back. Sometimes it’s better to give the book without inscription, allowing them to read (or not) on their own timeline.

Beautiful Editions vs. Reading Copies

Beautiful editions (Penguin Classics, Folio Society, illustrated hardcovers) are gifts for people who value books as objects.

Reading copies (paperbacks, standard hardcovers) are gifts for people who value content over aesthetics.

Know which type of reader you’re gifting to. A beautiful edition to someone who only reads ebooks is wasted. A mass-market paperback to a book collector feels thoughtless.

Books + Something Else

Pairing a book with a small related item makes the gift feel more considered:

• Book about tea + special tea blend
• Book set in Paris + French cafe gift card
• Mystery novel + magnifying glass bookmark
• Cookbook + specialty ingredient
• Poetry + journal for writing

The book becomes centerpiece of a themed gift rather than standing alone.

Genre-Specific Strategies

For mystery/thriller readers:

• First in a series they haven’t tried
• Foreign crime fiction (Scandinavian, Japanese, Italian)
• Classic they missed (Chandler, Hammett, Christie)

For romance readers:

• Find out their preferred subgenre (contemporary, historical, paranormal, etc.)
• Check heat level preferences (some readers want explicit, others closed-door)
• Series beginnings work well

For sci-fi/fantasy readers:

• Ask about preferences (hard sci-fi vs. space opera, high fantasy vs. urban fantasy)
• Standalone novels are safer than committing them to trilogies
• Award winners are usually solid bets

For nonfiction readers:

• Match to their specific interests (history, science, memoir, etc.)
• Check what they’ve already read (avoid duplicates)
• New releases in their areas of interest

Safe Gift Books

Some books have broad appeal and make good default gifts:

Fiction:

• “The House in the Cerulean Sea” - T.J. Klune (fantasy, heartwarming)
• “Project Hail Mary” - Andy Weir (sci-fi, accessible)
• “Anxious People” - Fredrik Backman (contemporary, funny-sad)
• “The Thursday Murder Club” - Richard Osman (cozy mystery)

Nonfiction:

• “Braiding Sweetgrass” - Robin Wall Kimmerer (nature writing)
• “Educated” - Tara Westover (memoir)
• “The Soul of an Octopus” - Sy Montgomery (science narrative)
• “Sapiens” - Yuval Noah Harari (popular history)

These aren’t the most adventurous choices but they’re broadly liked.

Risky Gift Books

Books to avoid unless you’re certain:

• Very long books (intimidating)
• Extremely depressing books (even if brilliant)
• Controversial political books (unless you know they’ll agree)
• Books about topics they haven’t expressed interest in
• Books you haven’t read yourself (never gift blind)

Exception: Close friends who trust your taste completely. With them, you can take bigger risks.

The “I Thought You’d Like This” Test

Before buying, complete this sentence: “I’m giving you this book because…”

Good answers:

• “…you mentioned wanting to learn about this topic”
• “…you loved that author’s last book”
• “…it reminded me of our conversation about X”
• “…you said you wanted to try this genre”

Bad answers:

• ”…I thought it would be good for you” (condescending)
• “…you should read more” (judgmental)
• “…it changed my life” (implies they need changing)
• ”…I got it on sale” (cheap, literally)

Books for Non-Readers

If you’re determined to give a book to someone who doesn’t read much:

Graphic novels: More accessible, visual engagement helps

• “Maus” - Art Spiegelman
• “Fun Home” - Alison Bechdel
• “Persepolis” - Marjane Satrapi

Short books: Less intimidating

• “The Old Man and the Sea” - Hemingway (127 pages)
• “Animal Farm” - Orwell (112 pages)

Books about their passion: If they love cooking, give them a cookbook with narratives. If they love sports, try sports journalism or athlete memoir.

Coffee table books: Low pressure, can be browsed rather than read cover-to-cover.

When to Choose a Gift Card Instead

Give a bookshop gift card when:

• You don’t know what they’d like
• They’re picky about reading choices
• They prefer ebooks (give ebook platform card)
• You want them to choose timing and title

Gift cards get dismissed as impersonal, but bookshop gift cards give readers what they actually want: choice and agency.

The Follow-Up

Don’t ask “Did you read it yet?” within the first month. This creates pressure and obligation.

If they bring it up, engage genuinely. If they hated it, don’t get defensive. If they loved it, enjoy the connection.

Don’t expect a report. You gave a gift, not a homework assignment.

Books We’ve Successfully Gifted

Personal successes:

• “Station Eleven” to a pandemic-anxious friend (they needed the hope)
• “The Anthropocene Reviewed” to someone going through depression (essays felt manageable)
• “Mexican Gothic” to a thriller reader wanting to try something different (gateway horror)
• “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” to a friend who designs games (obvious match)

Personal failures:

• Literary fiction to someone who only reads nonfiction (remained unread)
• 600-page historical novel to a busy parent (too intimidating)
• Self-help book to someone who didn’t ask for advice (felt preachy)

Learn from both categories.

The Best Book Gift

A book you loved + explanation of why you loved it + permission to not like it.

“I loved this because it made me think differently about X. But if it’s not your thing, totally fine. Just wanted to share it.”

This removes pressure while creating connection opportunity.

The Alternative Approach

Instead of guessing, ask.

“I’d love to get you a book for Christmas. What have you been wanting to read?”

Yes, it removes surprise. But it increases the chances they’ll actually read and appreciate it.

Thoughtfulness beats surprise when it comes to books.

Our Recommendation

If in doubt: bookshop gift card + your favorite book of the year, inscribed with why you loved it.

They get choice (the gift card) and a personal recommendation (the book). They can read the book or exchange it for credit. Either way, you’ve shared something meaningful.

Books make beautiful gifts when they’re thoughtfully matched to recipients. The matching requires attention, consideration, and sometimes the wisdom to give something other than books.

But when you get it right—when you hand someone a book they’ve never heard of and watch them disappear into it and emerge grateful—that’s a special kind of gift-giving satisfaction.

Worth the effort of going beyond the bestseller table.