It’s the season of gift-giving, and I love giving gifts. What can be a little stressful is the pressure of finding something that says “I was thinking of you personally when I picked this out” that’s also really useful. To that end, I’ve compiled a list of items I’m considering for the readers and writers in my life (and to be honest, a few of these are going on my wish list too).
1) A laptop sleeve that looks like a book:
This version is for MacBooks, so make sure you have the right specs before you choose this item.
2) Page Nibs/Book Darts:
These are my favorite book marks – you can leave them in your book to mark quote locations, or to give yourself a clear, line-specific marker. They come in a lot of different styles, but these and these are both perfect.
3) Your writer’s favorite notebooks:
A notebook is a very personal choice – while beautiful leather-bound journals are great to look at, you might want to spy on your writer to see what kind of paper, margins, and line spacing they prefer in order to get the most useful gift. You really can’t have too many notebooks.
4) A fountain pen (and ink):
I received a fountain pen for Christmas last year, and it very quickly became the only pen I want to use. A fountain pen can seem intimidating at first, but there are different mechanisms and styles to fit different personalities. I like the kind where you put the cartridge right into the barrel of the pen – no muss, no fuss – and I like a fine nib, but you’ll want to consider if your writer likes calligraphy, antique styling, function, and more. In spite of the width of the nib, I like the looks of this one on Amazon. The dream is the Parker Sonnet with gold trim. Don’t forget to include compatible ink cartridges or cartridge system!
5) A personalized library embosser:
I first saw this on another list of gifts for book lovers, and it just looks awesome. This is one item that’s going to make it on my own wish list, for sure.
6) A gift certificate to the Mythgard Institute:
The Mythgard Institute is both an educational institute and an online hub for active auditors. The courses cover modern fantasy and science fiction as well as Medieval and Renaissance literature, and can be taken in real time – with an option for live interaction with the professors – or downloaded to be done at your own leisure. Past course packs include classes on Arthurian literature, philology, Chaucer, Tolkien, Harry Potter, C.S. Lewis, and more. With this certificate, you can help offset the cost of an experience that’s incredibly rewarding.
7) A book stand:
I got myself this cook book stand from ideasinwood to use in my office. I prop up my book and take notes, or I prop up my notes for typing. It’s such a great resource. There are a lot of different kinds of book holders, so you can really match the style of your intended recipient.
And there you have it – seven great gifts for the writers and readers in your life.
26 thoughts on “Seven Gifts for the Writer and Reader”
whitefrozen
That laptop sleeve is pretty durn cool.
Michelle Joelle
I knooooow!
whitefrozen
I “borrowed” a dozen of those little book nibs things from my mom. I now realize I need thousands more.
Jennifer Austin - Author
Awesome! I want several of those. And what a great thought about making sure you get the right notebook. I’m not picky, any will do, but every writer likes something different. Great post!
Michelle Joelle
There’s nothing worse than reaching the end of your notebook and then finding you don’t have another one ready to go!
bloggingisaresponsibility
The page nibs and book stand are especially cool. BTW, did you mean to write “authors” instead of “auditors” in your section on the Mythgard Institute?
Michelle Joelle
I meant students who audit classes without doing assignments. And yes, those page nibs are wonderful! I have a set of the book darts, but I need vastly more!
Sable Aradia
Reblogged this on Sable Aradia, Priestess & Witch and commented:
Some ideas for things I would certainly love for Yuletide gifts; and I imagine most of the other writers and readers in your life would too!
Sable Aradia
Those are some great ideas. As an aside, I love the snowflake effect! How do you do it? (Or is it part of your blog theme?) Thanks!
Michelle Joelle
Thank you! And thank you fir the reblog too 🙂 The snowflakes are a wordpress effect! I set it up last year, and it apparently remembered. You should be able to add it from your dashboard!
Sable Aradia
Thank you very much!
Michelle Joelle
Update: the snow is under general settings!
heatherbcosta
Oooh, I love the idea of the personalised library embosser, I am definitely putting that one on my wish list!
Michelle Joelle
It’s such a must have, I know!
Hanna
Ooooh. I want all of these!
Michelle Joelle
Me too! So many gift guides for book lovers seem to be geared more towards showing people how much of a book lover you are (tote bags with quotes, or t-shirts with book covers, lamps that look like books, etc). I wanted pick some useful things for this list, and I think I’ve dangerously succeeded. I need them all.
rung2diotimasladder
I was thinking of doing a blog post like this too. I think it’s a great idea around the holidays when we’re all scratching our heads in need of ideas.
I so want that laptop cover.
Michelle Joelle
It’s the primo item on the list, for sure. 🙂
rung2diotimasladder
Oh, by the way, I like the snow falling on your site.
Michelle Joelle
Thank you! I love snow.
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David Russell Mosley
Great list! A quick point of order, though, Mythgard is not currently accredited, but I have it on good authority that they are working toward it, but its a multi-year process.
Michelle Joelle
Ah, thank you! I must have read what i wanted to read 🙂
David Russell Mosley
Yeah. It’s still a great program, though. I actually got to meet Corey Olsen the other day. He lives just a few miles from me.
Michelle Joelle
Lucky! I audited a Chaucer class with him this summer, and it was really fun.
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