Gifts for Book Club Members: Perfect Picks for Your Next Meetup

Looking for a host gift that feels elevated? Diptyque's Baies pairs blackcurrant leaves with rose for an iconic, airy fragrance we found sophisticated yet fresh. The premium wax and artisan finish burn cleanly in our testing, and the glass votive doubles as chic decor once the candle's gone. Just note the price is steep, and the scent can feel subtle in very open rooms or in smaller sizes with a shorter throw. For cozy living rooms, though, it sets a beautiful mood for book club.

This nostalgic library-card tote is a charming way to haul paperbacks, notebooks, and snacks to your next discussion. We found the 100% cotton canvas sturdy for everyday use, and the inner pocket keeps keys or a phone from getting lost at the bottom. Keep in mind it’s a flat tote without a full gusset, and the 11-inch strap drop can feel short over thicker coats. The natural canvas shows dirt more readily, so spot-cleaning helps it stay crisp.

Perfect for low-key book club nights, this Strand Books tee feels ridiculously soft thanks to 100% combed, ring-spun cotton. In our testing, the lightweight 4.3 oz fabric stayed breathable during crowded meetups, and the tear-away label kept things itch-free. It does run bigger than usual, so consider sizing down if you prefer a trimmer fit, and note the lighter weight can feel thin compared with heavyweight tees. Ideal on its own in summer or layered under cardigans.

Wrap your favorite classic around your neck—literally—with this Pride and Prejudice infinity scarf, handmade in the USA from super-soft 100% cotton jersey. During our review, the heat-set ink stayed crisp after gentle washes, so the text remains legible through many wears. The double-thick design is cozy but can feel bulky under fitted coats, and it requires spot-treating or gentle cycles. It’s pricier than mass-produced scarves, but as a literary statement piece for book club nights, it shines.

Few things elevate a book club chill session like a ridiculously soft throw, and Barefoot Dreams’ CozyChic lives up to the hype. Our experience shows it’s lightweight yet warm, easy to drape over shoulders without bulk, and fully machine-washable for low-fuss care. Expect some initial shedding—one wash usually settles the lint—and note the polyester tends to attract pet hair. The premium price is steep, but as a crowd-pleasing comfort upgrade for readers’ laps and hosts’ sofas, it’s a win.

Tea makes a thoughtful host gift, and Harney & Sons’ Heritage Gift Set keeps it simple and elegant with two tins of popular blends (20 sachets each). During our review, we appreciated the individually wrapped sachets for single-serve brewing at meetings and the compact tins that look gift-ready. Just know you’re getting 40 cups total, so heavy tea drinkers may go through it quickly, and per-cup cost is higher than bulk loose-leaf. Flavor variety varies by variant, so choose accordingly.

For clubs that lean dark, The Lamb merges feminist folktale vibes with literary horror, delivered in vivid, unsettling prose. During our review, the atmosphere built a persistent dread that sparked big thematic conversations—but be warned: there’s graphic gore and cannibalism that some readers will find deeply off-putting. Pacing can drag with repetitive phrasing, and the tone is relentlessly bleak with little emotional release. Compared with mainstream thrillers, it’s more artful and harrowing, best for groups ready for trigger warnings and heavy discussion.

Keep discussions lively with TableTopics Book Club: 135 open-ended prompts tailored to readers and lit lovers. In our testing, the compact 4-by-4-by-4-inch acrylic cube looked tidy on the coffee table and doubled as classroom fodder for quick writing prompts. It’s not a game with replay mechanics, so cards can feel repetitive over time—especially for big, frequent clubs. Consider rotating decks or mixing in your own questions, and note the plastic cube may scuff with heavy use.

If your club swaps library picks, the Kobo Clara Colour makes borrowing a breeze with built-in OverDrive and Bluetooth for audiobooks. In our testing, the responsive color screen made covers and highlights pop, and the compact, lightweight body was easy to hold for long sessions. Trade-offs: the color layer lowers resolution a bit, so images and some text can look fuzzy or washed out. The 6-inch display also feels cramped for comics, and the recessed screen can collect dust unless you use a cover.

If your book club picks keep you reading everywhere, the Kindle Paperwhite is a smart upgrade with a crisp 7-inch, higher-contrast screen that made text pop in our testing. IPX8 waterproofing means worry-free chapters by the bath or pool, and the battery easily lasts multiple weeks between charges in our experience. Just know it's tied to Amazon's ecosystem and lacks physical page-turn buttons, so one-handed flipping can be trickier. It costs more than the entry-level Kindle, but the bigger display and endurance felt worth it during our review.

For serious note-takers, the Kindle Scribe brings a roomy 10.2-inch, high-resolution display that’s gentle on the eyes during marathon reads. In hands-on testing, the included pen felt responsive and natural—and it never needs charging—so annotating book club picks was seamless. Battery life stretched for weeks, though the large footprint is bulkier than standard e-readers and the price is a splurge. Note organization tools are improving but still limited, so expect basics rather than pro-level editing.

For late-night chapters, the Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light lets you aim illumination exactly where you need it with bendable arms. In our testing, the three color temperatures and six brightness levels made it easy to go from warm, cozy light to crisp, annotation-ready brightness. The USB-C rechargeable battery is convenient, though the neck band can feel bulky against pillows and the side controls can get pressed by cushions. Over time, we've seen the arms loosen slightly, but the flexibility and value still make it a handy gift.

For the friend who forgets their tea between chapters, the Ember Smart Mug 2 keeps drinks at your exact temperature via the app. During our review, the charging coaster was the real hero: dock it and your beverage stays warm all discussion long, while the mug's ceramic-coated stainless steel felt sleek and sturdy. Off the coaster, our experience shows battery life can dip under 90 minutes, and some users report coating chips and slow warranty responses. It's a splurge, but for precise, fuss-free warmth, it delivers.

Personalize shared reads with a self-inking stamp for “From the library of” pages or return reminders. Our experience shows the ExcelMark’s two-sided reversible ink pad effectively doubles impressions before re-inking, and the clear base makes aligning stamps on flyleaves and envelopes easy. Ink pads are re-inkable and come in multiple colors for club branding. A heads-up: a few customers reported missing text lines due to fulfillment errors, and removing the pad to re-ink can be finicky—go slow and follow the instructions.

Craving a breezy pick between heavier reads? This summery rom-com leans into a vivid small-town Outer Banks setting with a clear fake-dating hook that’s catnip for contemporary romance fans. We found the paperback format affordable and easy to pass around the group, though several readers report predictable turns, some cringe-y moments, and sagging momentum around the midpoint. Compared with more complex romances, it’s lighter and more formulaic, but that can make it a low-stakes, palate-cleansing club selection.

For a crowd-pleasing treat between chapters, Levain's Cookie Tin Gift Set lands with serious wow factor in a collectible blue tin. During our review, the oversized cookies were best warmed briefly—gooey centers and crisp edges that feel indulgent and shareable. It's undeniably pricey at $69 for eight, and the rich, buttery recipe may be too heavy for some palates. They ship baked-to-order nationwide with pickup or delivery options, but note orders are final sale, so exchanges aren't available if something goes awry.