Book Lover’s Gift Guide
Because I love books—and I love parties (especially throwing them!)—it’s no surprise that hosting my neighborhood book club is one of my favorite things all year. You may have heard me mention before how lucky I was to move onto a block with a book club that’s been going strong for over TWENTY years. When Alex was still a baby, it became my once-a-month retreat to feel like me again—you know, someone who reads more than sleep training manuals (and then parenting manuals) for fun!
I always pick a summer month to host so I can choose something light and fun—perfect for reading poolside or on vacation. This time, we read “Mother-Daughter Murder Night” by Nina Simon. Despite the title, it’s a cozy mystery with fierce female leads, amateur sleuthing, and a dreamy California coastal setting that I couldn’t get enough of. (I read it and listened to the audiobook—both were a treat!)
Since part of the plot centered around a family ranch, I pulled together some mementos from my family’s ranch for the decor—my dad’s cowboy hat (the one that was too fancy for him to ever wear), ranch brand napkins, and old photos and artwork. It felt personal and nostalgic in the best way. I also leaned into the coastal California theme with shrimp salad, empanadas, churros, and a refreshing cucumber agua fresca (equally delicious with or without a splash of vodka). Oh—and plenty of wine, obviously.
I’ve used our bright and modern Book Club Mini Box to host my last few gatherings, but this time I had so much fun creating something new and personal for the theme. (What can I say—once the party planning wheels start turning, I can’t turn them off!)
It reminded me exactly why I started building this business in the first place: to help busy women celebrate the moments (and people!) that matter with less stress and more joy. And because chatting books—with friends and strangers alike—is one of my favorite ways to connect, and gifting is totally my love language, a Book Lovers Gift Guide felt like the perfect next chapter. It’s packed with thoughtful, reader-approved gift ideas I’d love to give and get.
So whether you're in a book club, shopping for one, or just love a good story and a cute tote, here are some of my favorite gifts for readers—from cozy mugs to custom bookmarks and everything in between!
1 - “Read Banned Books” canvas tote bag 2 - “Might be Books, Might be Snacks” canvas tote bag 3 - Clip on reading light 4 - Personalized acrylic bookmarks 5 - Book Lover ceramic mug 6 - “My Book Club Can Outdrink Your Book Club” kitchen towel 7 - Confetti composition notebook 8 - Kindle case (comes in a bunch of fun colors and patterns!) 9 - Reusable shopping bag 10 - “From the Library of” stamp (you can also get it as a self-inking stamp or an embosser!) 11 - Book Club Party-in-a-Box
P.S. That little guide sparked something bigger: a brand-new section of our shop dedicated to gifting! You’ll now find curated picks for readers, party people, and thoughtful gift-givers of all kinds. We’re just getting started, so be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to see what we add next!
Until then, happy gifting… and happy reading.
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