Literary Scene: Holiday Gifts for Book Lovers

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Ryan recommends holiday gift ideas for the book lovers in your life

Instead of offering up reviews for three new or forthcoming book titles with a Florida connection like I do every month, I’m going to instead embrace the generous spirit of the holidays and share 9 of the best book and book-related gift ideas that I’ve run across. Here’s hoping that these put a smile on the faces of those who love the world of words as much as we do. holiday

The Disasters

This debut YA book by M.K. England is being billed as The Breakfast Club meets Guardians of the Galaxy! I’d say that it’s a science fiction adventure for those who fondly recall the TV show Firefly. $17.99 hardcover / $8.99 Kindle

The Bulletproof Business Planner

It’s billed as a stylish, multi-functional, vegan leather-bound planner that can be both “sidekick and coach with you as you propel forward into your best life.” That’s a big promise, but in the digital age, I don’t mind having a physical calendar like this versus an app. It’s quite sturdy while remaining both functional and attractive. $39-$59 holiday
Use coupon code AYBPP at checkout for 10% off! TheBulletproofBusinessPlanner.com

Shaker and Spoon

Think Blue Apron for cocktails. Enjoy your favorite book with a great original recipe from world-class bartenders—get three new ones each month. And they send you all the supplies you need to make 12 drinks, though you have to provide the liquor. “You’ll shake, stir, muddle, and more!” promises Shaker and Spoon. holiday
I test drove the Celebrate Mezcal box and WOW, it was a hit with my friends.

$50 for month-to-month, or get discounts for longer pre-pay options

Epic!

If you’re buying books for your own children (or grandchildren), why not consider giving them the leading digital library for kids 12 and under? A subscription to Epic! gives instant access to 25,000+ of the best books, learning videos, quizzes, and more. Basically, just think Netflix for kids’ books. For those who want Spanish options, there’s quite a selection here that will satisfy you. holiday

(If you’re a librarian or teacher, check out the Epic! for Educators program to help you and the students in your lives.) holiday

Confession: I got a 3-month test account from the nice folks at Epic! and while I asked my two kiddos to test-drive it for me, I find myself on the site perhaps more often than the two of them combined! There’s a lot of quality goodies here, for sure. $45/6 months, $72/12 months, $120/24 months
GetEpic.com

 Luxury Bathtub Book Caddy

I tried out this item and it’s hard to deny—reading in a pool of bubbles can make any book better. Plus this caddy has a wine glass holder, a cell phone slot, a book/tablet area, and arms that extend to fit nearly any tub. And it’s made from teak and bamboo, so a little splashing won’t hurt it at all.

Yes, it’s just a luxury. But who doesn’t need a bit more book-related luxury in their lives?
$27.99 on Amazon 
Want their desk organizer, too, with its 2 drawers and an expandable/adjustable bookshelf?
$39.99 on Amazon 

Waiting at Hayden’s

This novel by Riley Costello is what she’s calling “shopfiction,” meaning that readers can shop the characters’ clothes and home décor right from the book. Links in the digital version and web addresses in print take readers to a website where they can view scenes they’ve just read about and then purchase all they see.

For those who care as much about a book’s story as any potential value add-ons, Waiting at Hayden’s is straight-up women’s fiction—a “relatable love story about the complicated nature of timing in modern-day relationships.” Think literary rom-com. With shopping.
$16.00 paperback / $9.99 Kindle

Hunt a Killer

It’s the fastest growing thriller subscription in the world—ideal for those who love murder mysteries and true crime books. Hunt a Killer is an immersive murder mystery subscription service that allows tens of thousands of people across the globe to become a detective and hunt a serial killer. “Filled with clues, codes, ciphers, and creepy correspondence from a friend, receive one episode a month for six months until they solve the saga.”

I’ve got two boxes/episodes in my hands now, and it’s a hoot. My gaming group LOVES this—even when we’re not totally enjoying the Celebrate Mezcal goodies at the same time.$25/month HuntAKiller.com

Screaming for Pleasure

From the podcast host of “Hellbent for Horror” comes Screaming for Pleasure, THE retrospective guide to the horror industry. Get an in-depth look at 6 of the most impactful horror films by women directors, plus a list of 15+ women directors you should be watching now. Learn insights from some of the greatest fright directors of all time, such as Guillermo Del Toro, David Cronenberg, and John Carpenter.

This entertaining guide will make cinephiles of all types fall in love with horror again. $19.99 paperback / $9.99 Kindle
hellbentforhorror.com/book

More Than Words

Perhaps it’s not the books you buy but where you buy them that matters this holiday season. Enter More Than Words, an incredible social enterprise that hires homeless, at-risk youth aged 16-24 and puts them to work selling gently pre-used books online and in their retail location in Boston. The youth learn all aspects of the business, selling 50,000+ books and products made by nonprofits around the country.

This youth-powered nonprofit earns over $500,000 a year, and that money goes right back into supporting this program. Click here to get $10 off $25 at eBay | mtwyouth.webstoreplace.com

Ryan G. Van Cleave is the author of 20 books, and he runs the creative writing program at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. ryangvancleave.com

Grow your to-read list here!