Sometimes when many other people rave about a particular children’s or YA book, I feel pressured to like it, even if I don’t. I stay true to myself–I can’t force myself to like a book that I don’t, or that doesn’t work for me–but I get the guilts over it, and that’s just plain silly. A good book is so subjective. There are books that I think are absolutely wonderful that other people think are only good, or worse–and vice versa.
It’s such a delight to find other people who love the same books you do–truly love them. It just feels good. And I think that we’re also raised to be polite, avoid conflict–especially girls and women. But it’s okay to dislike a book that everyone else seems to love, or to love a book that others seem to hate. You won’t be alone–eventually you’ll find someone else who feels the same way–but maybe you’ll be the brave one who says so.
There’s no point in forcing yourself to try to like a book, or pretending to like it if you don’t. It just feels awful. And finding others who truly love the same books you do, that feels too good to miss.
Susan over at Wizard Wireless has an absolutely wonderful post about this issue. Go and read it if you haven’t already. You’ll get something out of it.
Remember when I told you about Library Elf here? (The free online service you can sign up for, that sends you an email BEFORE your library books are due–and alerts you when your holds have arrived.) Well, it works beautifully. I just received an email from Library Elf, letting me know that two of the books I recently placed on hold are in at my library, waiting for me–BEFORE I even received a call from my own library system, letting me know. How cool is that?
I love that I can receive email notifications. It even tells me which library to pick the books up at (in Toronto, we have a wealth of libraries, and you can request that books be shipped for pick up at whichever library you want), AND it shows me the status of all my other holds–which books are currently in transit, soon to arrive at the library, which books I’ve put a pause on. This is all information that I could get if I went to the library website, logged in, clicked through a bunch of pages to get to–but this comes to me without my having to do a thing. It’s so easy!
Do you regularly take books out from your library system? If so, I highly recommend Library Elf. I think that the alerts for books that you have on hold currently only work in the US and Canada.
As a side note–isn’t that photo by Soul Pusher amazing? It’s a view from a doll house, but before I know that, it looked like a wonderful fastasy–huge books, a tiny chair (thus tiny people). I love it. 
I love reading about–and discussing–the benefits of reading. I think there are so many.
Some of my favorite benefits from reading books are that:
- Reading can help you know you are not alone;
- Reading can help you safely experience or think about something that you might not be ready to experience in the world;
- Reading can help you work through things emotionally, and come to a greater understanding;
- Reading encourages imagination and creative thinking;
- Reading can help increase your focus and thinking;
- Reading can bring inspiration, hope, wisdom, comfort, and can act like a friend;
- And reading can provide wonderful entertainment, while helping you learn, often without realizing it.
Reading is also an inexpensive form of entertainment, far cheaper than a movie or CD if you’re buying a book, and free if you get the book from the library.
Brad Isaac has written a great article on the benefits of reading (he’s listed 26 benefits). The article is geared towards adults, and seems focused on non-fiction (and has a little bit of hype), but most of the benefits are still the same for fiction readers and child and teen readers, including that reading can: stimulate brain activity and thinking; increase vocabulary; give you a glimpse into other cultures and places; improve concentration and focus; increase self-esteem; improve memory; improve reasoning skills; and much more. You might not agree with all his listed benefits or the way he’s worded them, but many are validating. Check the article out.
There are so many gift possibilities for the book lover in your life.
Don’t forget to check their wishlists at online bookstores such as Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk, etc. You can search for their wishlist easily by searching for their email address.
Your favorite book lover might really enjoy this poetry beads kit. $9.95 US.
I think this fantasy reader greeting card is beautiful enough to put on the wall. And it’s only $2.64 US. It also comes as a mug for $12.68 US (you can choose the style and color). It also comes in a purple print as a mug, card, and bag, and a beautiful black t-shirt ($23.95 US). |
This book-and-cat afghan is beautiful. It’s soft, should be warm, 100 % cotton, and 54″ x 69″. $59.00 US |
I love these book-lover pencils! I want some. Each of them are embossed with Thomas Jefferson’s quote: “I cannot live without books”, as well as, on the other side “Library of Congress”. $6.00 for a set of 12. |
How about a light-switch plate with an image of a shelf of books on it? It’s available as a single switchplate ($10 US), double switchplate ($12 US), outlet plate ($10 US), single rocker plate ($10 US), and double rocker plate ($12 US). |
Your favorite bibliophile may have fun with these word stamps. $19.95 US |
If your favorite book lover also enjoys crafts, they might really like making their own word stones with this kit. You mix up the concrete, pour it into the form, and use the press in letters to make words. The kit includes 42 1.5″ press-in lower case letters, numbers, and punctuation marks; 4 concrete forms; two pounds lightweight concrete; concrete tint; a trowel; and instructions. |
This reading pillow–the BedLounge–is a bit pricey at $117. US, but it may make some book lovers happy, to read comfortably in bed. The website says it’s supposed to be the ultimate in comfort, as “every part – from the headrest, to the seatback, to the Lumbar Pillow, to the armrests – move, flex, and conform to your body’s own unique shape.” I’d love to try one out. Comes in a variety of colors. |
A librarian you know might enjoy this mug–”Librarians Do It By the Book”. I thought it was funny. $10.36 US |
More goodies for book lovers!
This Bookmark Pen is also a neat idea. It’s a flat pen with a clip to attach it to your book. I wouldn’t clip it onto pages; it might damage them–but clipping it onto the cover of your book might be okay. It may still leave an imprint on a softcover. The pens are only 1/8th inch thin, and weigh less than 1/10 of an ounce (3 grams). They’re available in more than 29 color combinations. They’re $2.00 US each. |
I’ve never seen something like this before; it looks like a possibly neat book gadget–Page Keeper: The Automatic Bookmark. According to the site, once you clip it on your book, you “never have to touch it until you’re ready to put it in your next book. Spring tension lets the corner “finger” follow along, page by page, as you read,” so you never lose your place. The one thing I’m not sure I like is that it looks like it pulls at the book a bit. But it intrigues me, and is a great price–$6.95 US. Canadian and international customers can order from here for $6.95 US, and UK customers can order it from here for £4.99. |
 
This I Read Banned Books Bracelet will appeal to many book lovers, librarians, and writers. $20.00 US |
A librarian, especially, or a book lover with fond memories of libraries might get a kick out of these library-card book plates. They’re printed onto sticker paper, so you just have to peel them off and stick them on. $9.00 US for 18 bookplates. |
 A neat fantasy poster for book lovers who love fantasy or love to dream might be this “On the Way” poster by Quint Buchholz. And the price is great, too, at $19.95 US. |
This is an interesting idea–a seatbelt light. If you know a booklover who is the passenger in a car, then this might be perfect for them. They can easily read a book while riding in the car, without disturbing the driver. $8.98 US |
I think this Books To the Ceiling bookmark is awesome–a fantastic illustration and poem, and a great priced bookmark at $1.75 US. Comes laminated. You can also buy it as a small poster for $11.95 US, as a medium poster, or as a large poster for $19.95 US. |
  This Book Lover Gold Watch may appeal to the booklover, writer, or librarian that you know and love. With miniature books, a pen, and glasses within the watch, this shows a love of books, reading, and writing. $44.95 US |
 Bookends can be a neat gift, though a little pricey.
These Library Book Bookends ($69.99 US) both really appeal to me, and make me want to straighten the books and not have them sitting like that. If your book lover is one who likes to keep their books neat and tidy or in good shape, this *might* not be the right bookend for them. But if they just love books, well, it might appeal.What’s neat about the Just Bookends store is they sell a TON of bookends. You have so many choices, here. So you can match a theme to your booklover. I saw some other bookends that were personally appealing to me, such as a Boy Reading bookends ($99.00 US); a
frog bookend ($109.99 US); and Heads Up Rabbit bookends ($89.00 US). |
The ALA store has many fantastic bookmarks based on children’s books and children’s favorite characters. You get 100 of one kind for $8.00 US. If you booklover is a fan of one of those books or characters, I’ll bet they’d love a stack of high-quality bookmarks. I would. I’ve actually purchased a set for myself. Some of their bookmarks include Curious George; Guess How Much I Love To Read (from the picture book Guess How Much I Love You); If You Give Kids Great Books They’ll Want to Read Them Again and Again (from Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond’s If You Give a Mouse a Cookie); Lemony Snicket “It is an Unfortunate Event to Lose Your Place”; Mutts from Mutts but also from The Gift of Nothing ; “Share a Book” from Mo Willems’ Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! ; “Say Goodnight With a Good Book” from Goodnight Moon ; and many, many more. |
These Standing Librarian Bookends ($79.99 US) may appeal to both booklovers and librarians. A little pricey, but neat. |
These Bookworm Bookends, featuring children reading while sitting in comfy chairs, really appeal to me, though they’re a bit pricey at $199 US |
 
These Librarian Socks, with images of open books all over them and a big proud “Librarian” at the top may appeal to the librarian you know. |
Want more ideas of some great gifts for book lovers? See my other posts on this:
I’ve put together some more gifts for book lovers. It’s such fun to find neat gifts for people who love books. I’m window-shopping. Okay, screen shopping.
These Literary Boxes–boxes made to look like old books, where you can store your treasures–look pretty neat to me. Functional and aesthetically pleasing. They come in a set of 2 for $39.00 US. |
The Levenger Book Bungee Bookmark. I personally lust after one of these. The bookmark marks your page, and keeps your book closed (and so undamaged), even in a bag. They’ve also got a number of colors, some of which are very attractive. You put the plastic marker in the book, and wrap the elastic cloth around the outside, which also means that the bookmark can’t fall out. They fit both hardcovers and softcovers. They’re only $8 US (but when they ship to Canada, the shipping is something like $30. Ug!). |
I love all things books. And functional household items that relate to books and still look aesthetically pleasing make me feel good to look at.Enter the book cutting board. It looks like a book, is functional, and still manages to look beautiful to me. It’s available at the Library Shop–$35 for the small one, and $50 for the large. Perhaps a bit pricey, but I love looking at it online. And I’ll bet the booklover you know will love it, too. |
This Conceal Bookshelf looks like a unique and aesthetically pleasing way to store your books. You probably can’t have too many on one shelf, but for a small section of books somewhere in your house, it looks pretty good. And the price is great: , and $13.95 US for the large. |
These page points by Levenger are supposed to be able to mark the passage in a book and leave no mark. (I don’t know for sure, since I’ve never tried them myself, but they sound great.) They’re paper-thin, and you can use them as often as you want, or leave them in the book permanently. $10 US |
 A good booklight can be wonderful. I have a booklight that looks just like this (though it’s silver), and it is light to carry because it uses two thin lithium batteries, is thin, compact, and easy to fit into your bag or purse, and bright.
Slim LED booklight from Bas Bleu. $14.95 US. |
 This BookLust reader’s journal is one of my favorites so far. Remember what you read and what it meant to you. Based on Book Lust and More Book Lust by Nancy Pearl. $12.95 US |
This Edward Gorey cat pin, with a cat relaxes on books, may please your book lover. On the reverse is engraved, “books. cats. life is sweet.” $54 US from the Library shop. |
 This House Without Books paperweight has a lovely saying etched along the bottom–”A house without books is like a room without windows.” The paperweight is pewter. $40 US |
 This “Book Buddy” holds the book for you in your lap at the right angle, and holds the pages for you while you read. Apparently, it’s easy to turn the pages. I can see that this would be especially useful with a hardcover book, since those tend to be heavy. Navy Stripe Book Buddy II, $29.99 at Bas Bleu. |
A Jumbo Box of Picture Books Classics on DVD! It includes over 30 great picture books, including Crockett Johnson’s Harold and The Purple Crayon; Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are; Harry Allard’s Miss Neilson Has a Field Day; Kevin Henke’s Chrysanthemum; and many more (30 in total). I think this is a wonderful gift for anyone who loves children’s picture books, or writes them. Personally, I’d love to have my own set. $59.95 US |
A good reading lamp is important for readers and booklovers. Verilux lamps are supposed to be among the best; they simulate the natural spectrum of daylight, providing glare-free “indoor sunlight.” Verilux lights emit a bright white light that shows true colors, reduces eyestrain, and are flicker-free. I have two of these lamps (one desk lamp for my writing, and one next to my couch for reading), and the light is indeed like sunlight, and different than other lamps. My eyes seem to hurt less, too. The standing lamp is $119.95 US, and the desk lamp is $79.95. There are also other styles available. |
If you use matches a lot, or maybe even if you don’t, you (or a booklover you know) might like this Match Book Box. I think it’s cute. The price isn’t so cute–$29.95 US–but it’s fun to look at. |
There are three Edward Gorey sweatshirts here related to books. My favorite is the one with a girl riding on top of a book over waves, and the text says “Explore with books.” There’s also one that says “So many books, so little time,” and one that says “There’s no such thing too many books.” So many books is $32.98 US for the sweatshirt, and $17.95 US for the t-shirt. The “explore with books” sweatshirt is on sale for $17.98. Everything else is sold out. |
This pewter pencil paperweight seems like a great gift for a writer (I’d love one). Engraved on the pewter pencil are the inspiring words “Make your mark.” $16.00 US |
Want more ideas of some great gifts for book lovers? See my other posts on this:
I’m not really into Christmas. I used to hate it, though the last few years I’ve started to learn to love aspects of it. When you can make it your own celebration, it gets better. And what better way than to celebrate books and reading, as well?
There are some neat book lover Christmas ornaments out there.
This wonderful ornament is originally from Hallmark, made in 2003, and is now available at HookedOnOrnaments.com. It’s called “Adventures of a Book Lover.” I love it! I want one! Since it’s not being produced any more, you may also be able to get one on eBay. |
 The OLAStore has one of my favorite Christmas ornaments–a brass ornament that says “Read”. Lovely. |
  Milestone Books have a ton of book-related ornaments. Among my favorites are their “I love books” girl ornament, their C.S. Lewis quote “You can’t get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”,“Read” patchwork ornament. They also have some cool librarian ornaments on the bottom of page 8, and some cool “read to your children” and “eat sleep read” ones on page 9. You can browse all their ornaments starting from page 1. |
Signals has a really neat and different book ornament–one with quote from Louisa May Alcott that says “She is too fond of books, and it has addled her brain.” It looks playful to me. |
Hallmark has done a lot of book-related ornaments over the years–both general book ornaments, and ornaments based on children’s books. You can purchase many of them through HookedOnOrnaments.com or eBay. There are some general book-related ornaments (if you don’t mind them being too cutsey), including a super-cute “Reader to the Core” ornament; a 2001 “Gouda Reading” ornament, and some wonderful ornaments based on children’s books, including:
  a Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat stamp ornament and a Cat In the Hat figurine ornament; a 2002 Winnie the Pooh #5 inside a book ornament; a great Dr. Seuss Grinch ornament “What a Grinchy Trick, Dr. Seuss”; a Madeline ornament; and many, many more, including Harry Potter, Curious George, The Wizard of Oz, and Pat the Bunny, and many more Dr. Seuss books including Green Eggs and Ham; One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish; and more. Carlton also did one of Clifford the Red Dog.
 Okay, maybe I’m just a Christmas newbie, but I had NO idea that there were some great Christmas ornaments based on Children’s books–and some of my favorite ones, at that. That makes me feel a whole lot better about having a Christmas tree.  |
 Girl-ish Things @ Cafe Press has a neat “I read at the Table” Christmas ornament. They also have a “Books Rock” ornament. |
 CafePets @ CafePress has a nifty Bookworm ornament. It comes in an oval or a circle. It reminds me of Jen Robinson’s great book blog. |
 The Hunger Site used to sell these book ornaments. ThinkQuest gives you detailed instructions on how to make a mini book (so you could make the ornaments yourself), and SantaMouse has some tips on how to make the ornaments yourself. |
If you have a writer in the family, this ornament might appeal to you. It has a quote from James Michener that says “I love the swirl & swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.” The angel or fairy has a typewriter, and is handcrafted by artist Laini Taylor. $12.95 US |
Here’s another do-it-yourself book /ornament for those of you who want to create your own–Mini Star Booklet Ornament from Martie’s Creative Universe. |
I’m sure there are more out there. Anyone have a favorite one?
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I have the “Page Keeper” book mark and love it.
Danielle, that’s good to hear. Thank you for letting me know.