Hey everybody,
What would you want someone to know about you if they are going to pick out a book gift for you? It’s happened to me a few times now that someone means well when buying me a book as a gift, but they pick out a book I wouldn’t be interested in and it ends up sitting on my shelf or donated to a library. I’m thinking about what I can do to help people give better gifts without sending them my wish list. I feel bad about having people spend money on something that won’t go to use, but it means a lot to them to pick out the gift for me.
by Single-Citron6441
36 Comments
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I ask for gift cards to where I buy my books that way I don’t get what I don’t want.
I don’t know if they’re something that exists outside the UK, but a Book Token has been a favourite since I was a child.
Quite frankly just send out a wish list. You can put several different books or book related gifts on there so you’re still surprised. When you are an avid reader not only do you have preferences but you probably already have a TBR pile and possibly already have the book. The only other thing I can suggest, other than gift cards like someone already has, is asking that they make sure to give you the receipt.
If you just don’t like sending out a Wishlist or something like the link to your Amazon Wishlist, just tell them books are not going to be a good gift. Let them know, readers can be picky so unless they know a book you’ve been wanting it’s best to just avoid books altogether.
This depends on the person, but if you are comfortable getting a book directly for them, ask about the genre, sub-genres, and tropes the person likes. Do they like fantasy? What kind? Is it hard fantasy? Soft fantasy? Are they okay with politics? or they like adventurous Tolkein-esque high fantasy? Do they like girlboss power fantasy protagonists or byronic heroes who’re breaking down over the terrible choice they just made? These things are hard to know without knowing the person’s interests very well. You could ask them if there’s books they have in mind of getting and getting those or looking them up, something similar to them for a surprise. Or get a decent priced giftcard to somewhere they can get books.
I’d first and foremost suggest gift cards or ask if they want my book list.
However, if we are talking about someone really wants to buy you a book or just getting that information out there, I’d want them to know I like weird and horror. I’d probably share those facts with a few book suggests on social media and I’d maybe even tag them in it with a hint hint type of post. I’d randomly point at the books I like anytime I see them. I’d send them links to my favorite books with stuff like “omg this weird horror book was so good…”. That type of stuff.
Then at the end of the day, I’d just say think you for whatever they bought, attempt to read it, and give a genuine, but kind answer when they asked if I liked it.
Nothing wrong with a wishlist imo.
Or, you can share with them your favorite indie bookstores so they can get you a gift card.
If you really want a surprise, you can tell them the five favorite books you read this past year. There are lots of “if you liked this, you’ll like these” lists and such out there.
Give them specific requests or names of authors you like.
I know the dream scenario is that someone will just know you well enough to be able to pick out something you will like without you having to give them any guidance. If you’re lucky, maybe a significant other can do this, or maybe a friend/family member with whom you often discuss books. Otherwise, that’s a total pipe dream, and you are likely to get something that someone just thinks you’ll like based on what is probably a vague or inaccurate understanding of your tastes and interests.
The best way to deal with this is just be direct. I just give people a list of 10-ish books I’m interested in reading, that way they can at least “surprise” me with which one they get me.
lol that if they get me a book, chances are I won’t read it… I’m WAY picky
I’d say to talk about specific authors that you really like. I think it’s way easier to find relevant books to gift when you’re searching “recommendations for people that love <author>” versus “for people that love <genre>”.
Amazon wish list – create a books list. They can either pick from that or they can see what kind of books are on there and try to find something in that same genre that you might enjoy,
A nice edition of a book they know I’ve read and liked is always an option.
I’ve had friends ask for “something miserable – maybe a translation” and that’s worked well for me.
Or just ask for a list of five and then pick one or two.
I dont want to be given books. Lol. So best thing would be for them to know I read on a kindle and give me an Amazon card.
That I have a TBR spreadsheet I can email them.
AMAZON WISH LIST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Don’t buy me books. A high likelihood that if it’s a subject I’m interested in I’ve already got it. I’m obsessive.
I don’t ask for books as gifts because I read on Kindle and get most of my books from the library. I stopped buying them a long time ago. Also, my reading tastes are all over the place so I can’t say that a gift giver could guess what to get me. However, I have received cookbooks before (that I’ve chosen) and I really like those.
If I want books, I ask for them specifically. I keep a master list of everything everyone wants for Christmas and distribute bits and pieces of it to various family members. Then I give Hubby my list to do likewise with.
I’d be perfectly fine sending out my wish list and have sent lists with a note like, “So-and-so also got this list so talk amongst yourselves.” (Also my sneaky way to make my parents talk to my in-laws.) Another option is to break it up and send 3-4 books from your list to various people.
There’s really no way to know for sure. You could make a list of authors you love, but they might get you a book you already have. Some people have suggested telling relatives to buy *their* favorite book and give it to you. Make a list of books you would buy, and make that a wishlist. You can either be title specific, author specific, or genre specific. There’s no fool-proof method. You could try telling them what to avoid by book cover. Like, no books that involve fangs, naked torsos, or dragons. Or no books with the word “blood” in the title. etc.
I don’t want books, I like to pick those out myself. But book accessories are always welcome – small light next to my chair, comfy blanket, good tea or hot cocoa, easy to eat snacks that don’t leave my fingers messy, etc.
I have too many books to read already so my preference is gift cards for restaurants. I eat out alone almost every day, so I sit quietly with my book as my companion. Also, I almost always already have whatever book people buy for me.
That it takes me ages to pick a book to read, and is such a personal thing based upon my own reading history, opinions and likes, that nobody else could do it.
If you like nonfiction just mention what topic has your fancy at the moment. For fiction just mention some authors you like and they could figure out the books from them you have yet to read.
They should know do not pick a book for me the odds of any relative getting me a book i have not read that i want to read is a long shot. Most book gifts end up on a shelf with no intention of reading it. If they really want to get me something book related a kindle card or signed book by a author i love or maybe a first edition of a favorite book.
If they’re near by and can go, a trip to the book store is the best way to do it IMO. Time spent together, I can get the books I want, and spend time looking around.
I think it’s fine just to say a wish list of books, but if you want to give people a guide, maybe think about:
– Genre
– Length
– Give examples of your favourite books
– Classics vs newer
– Fiction vs non fiction
– If you like coffee table books
– Do you like book themed gifts
– Any franchises you are part of
– What shops you buy from, if you do
– If you mind second hand! I actually request books to be bought secondhand!
bare minimum is know what genres the person you’re gifting to, is interested in.
My sister-in-law has given me a gift card from a book store two birthdays in a row and I’ve been equally grateful each time. So, yes to the gift card.
But I’ve also been given books with inscriptions in them and I love that a lot too. I think that if they know that I love to read, they’re close enough to me that they would know my taste or know someone related to me (e.g. friend or family) to ask them about my taste.
Or I would straight up tell them to look at my Goodreads account and pick a book I’ve recently shelved in my “Want to Read” list.
I push them toward cookbooks because I can almost always find something in any cookbook worth making.
Gift cards all the way. Or bookish gifts like beautiful bookmarks, book lights etc
Book recommendations are nice but I’m a picky reader and it feels pressuring to receive a book I haven’t look up information on before knowing the other party still wants some feed back or will check my Goodreads.
The only thing I can suggest is a link to a book wish list. Although I do select a wide range of books, I wouldn’t want to have someone make my choice for me.
I low key keep a running list of books I want pinned on the stair case in my house that runs over the TV. It’s mostly a reminder for me, but if my GF, mother, friends, etc. decide to ever buy me a gift and don’t know what to get 😉
I literally keep a wishlist of books I want on [bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org) and share it with anyone likely to be buying me gifts. I also keep my Storygraph/Goodreads accounts up to date, so if someone truly wanted to get me something off-list, they could see if I’d read it yet.
I personally just have a wishlist on Amazon! I always say “used is okay”, but Amazon pretty much has the books $1-2 more than Thriftbooks, CHEAPER usually than Pango, etc. So most of the time they are the best deal anyway.
But it’s nice having an actual list for people to see.
For me, I send my relatives a picture of my library for them to look through.
1) So they don’t waste money getting a copy of a volume I already have. That’s inconvenient for everyone involved.
2) To give them a broad idea of what I’m into (which is basically most book genres).
I basically tell them “get me anything that I don’t have, chances are I’ll like it”.
They should know to send me a gift certificate for Amazon.