by Jaylynn Korrell

Technology and books: Friends or enemies?

If there’s one thing that book lovers love, it’s books! More of them. No matter how they find them. Ebooks, audiobooks, paperbacks. The more chances to read the better. And with the right book apps, they can be totally free!

You don’t have to worry about feeling like you’re betraying your beloved paperbacks! Think of these apps as an extension of your love of literature or a portal into even more literary engagement!

But not all of these book apps are simply for reading books.

There are apps that allow you to browse & buy brand new titles, read reviews, log your reading, track your patterns, and even keep your kid reading. The options are all endless so long as you have the right digital resources.

So check out these awesome book apps!

(Everything on Independent Book Review has been selected by a very picky group of people. As affiliates we may earn a commission on items you purchase through our links.)

1. BookBub

There’s no better place to start than my absolute favorite cheap & free eBook app! BookBub’s got unbeatable deals with author updates, handpicked recommendations, and truly some of the best indie & big-five books available. If you haven’t tried BookBub yet…you’re welcome.

2. Amazon Kindle

The Kindle is definitely one of my favorite e-readers, but it’s also a great app to have on your phone or iPad. Not only can you find & download nearly every eBook on the internet, but it’s extremely readable as well. You’ll always have access to your favorite books with the Kindle app, and the app will keep track of where you left off on a different device and save it in the cloud so you’ll never lose your place.

3. Goodreads

Ummm…you’ve heard of Goodreads already? No surprise! This is the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations. Readers can search their database of books to find people’s honest reviews before buying anything. Or, they can join the conversation and write their own reviews!

4. Serial Reader

Classic books are classics for a reason. People have loved reading them forever. But a lot of people find them difficult to get through, even if they end up loving them. Serial Reader gives readers a more digestible way to read Classic books by dividing them up into 20 minute sessions. You can read an unabridged 20 minute portion of these books daily with this free book app, and slowly but continuously check some classics off of your “to be read” list.

5. Scribd

Find yourself too busy (or homebound) to take a trip to the library? Check out this extensive digital document library! Book apps like Scribd provide readers with access to over 170 million documents, while also allowing people to upload their your own documents. It allows readers to keep a number of useful audiobooks and ebooks in one place: a truly great learning and sharing resource for readers and writers.

6. Hoopla

Finding this app was a game-changer for me. If you’ve got a library card, you’ve probably got access to Hoopla (or Libby). Hoopla allows you to access books found in your library’s database, as well as audiobooks, comic books, and even movies. So much free content!

7. Wattpad

Looking for somewhere to read original works of fiction? Wattpad has over 90 million subscribers who are reading and uploading fiction works and connecting with other readers and writers. This may just be the place to find your next favorite author before their writing career takes off. These are not always published books like you’d find on Kindle, so you’re finding some real hidden gems here.

Love poetry? Check out these gifts for poets & poetry lovers!

8. Audible

There are ways to read books without opening your eyelids or flipping a page. Audible the dominant force in audiobooks. This app offers monthly membership subscriptions or individual purchases so that you can listen to new, old, and bestselling audiobooks while doing household chores. Try a free trial!

9. Bookly

How long does it take you to read? This book app is a valuable tool in helping you reach your reading goals by tracking your reading progress, maintaining an organized catalog of your completed books, and helping you set monthly or even yearly reading goals. It even provides you with personalized stats in real-time so you can track your progress. People who are trying to develop a good reading habit will like this!

10. Blinkist

Blinkist caters to those who don’t have the time or maybe even the interest to read an entire book. With this book app, you can get a summary of thousands popular nonfiction books in 15 minutes or less. So if reading isn’t your thing but you want the information from some of the best nonfiction books, Blinkist is the way to go.

11. StoryGraph

Have you ever wished for a better way to pick the perfect next book? StoryGraph might be the way to do it. This app takes tracking to the next level by taking into account your mood and the mood of the books you’re usually reading (emotional, lighthearted, relaxing, etc). You can also view how your stats progress overtime to give you more insight on what books you should pick up next.

12. Summary Z

Unlike Blinkist, Summary Z provides a short summary of fiction books as well as nonfiction. So if you’ve got work to do for class and could use a refresher on a novel, check this one out! Summary Z is a great reference.

13. Poetizer

Poetry lovers, unite! Apps like Poetizer allow people to read, write, publish, and buy poetry. Poetry collections can be delivered to your doorstep and then promoted on your personal Poetizer platform. It’s an excellent app for writers & poets.

14. Litsy

After you read a really great book, it’s hard to not want to talk about it with everyone you come in contact with. Having the community to do that with is rare. But it doesn’t have to be! Litsy is a place to share blurbs, reviews, your favorite quotes, and more. It’s my preferred social media account for book lovers!

15. BookClub by Book Movement

Make your book club experience a lot easier by downloading this essential bookclub app. This app is excellent for those looking to simplify every aspect of being in a book club, from setting up meetings to picking your next book club book. Look up top book club books of the week or use their discover tool, and don’t forget to ask good book club questions!

16. Epic

Book apps aren’t just for adults. Kids book apps like Epic exist just to engage readers 12 and under. Epic is the largest digital library just for kids who love to read. It has over 40,000 kids titles to choose from, and they have audiobooks and learning videos available too. This app is free for educators and students to use during the school day.

17. Aardvark Book Club

A book subscription box is a great way to gain access to new releases easily. Aardvark Book Club’s app allows subscribers to choose three new released books from a curated list of 4-5 newly published books to have delivered to their doorstep each month. Then you can discuss your favorites on their app in their discussion community. It’s just like having a bookstore and a book club in your pocket!

So which of these book apps will you be downloading? Let us know in the comments, and tell us if there are any you think we missed!

About the Author

Jaylynn Korrell is a nomadic writer currently based out of Pennsylvania. In addition to her writing and reading for Independent Book Review, she curates lists at GoodGiftLists.com.

Thank you for reading Jaylynn Korrell’s “17 Best Book Apps for Avid Readers” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post The 17 Best Book Apps for Every Kind of Reader appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Jaylynn Korrell

Book shirts are the best shirts.

When people love books, they really love books. They give time and money to develop their reading habit, and when they get lost in impressive books or get whiplash from an explosive twist, they relish the next opportunity they can share it with someone.

But what if they didn’t have to talk? What if they could let your shirt do the talking for them?

It’s not always easy to find book shirts that aren’t lame. Take it from me: a person who buys her partner literary shirts nearly every year.

Believe it or not, there are TONS of book shirts that aren’t corny or over the top.

The book shirts in this list include some of the most popular titles ever written, eye-catching images, catchy sayings, and subtle nods to the reading experience.

A book shirt is a great present for book lovers, a gift for writers, or a surprise for a beloved librarian. (But hey–let’s be honest–you deserve one too.)

Here’s my list of of some of the best book shirts!

(Everything on Independent Book Review has been independently selected by a very picky group of people. As an Amazon affiliate we may earn a commission on items you purchase through our links.)

1. Simple Book Shirt

There’s a reason I’m starting with this one! It’s toned-down, bookish, artful, AND a nice color. I always love including nature in some form in conjunction with books, so this book with flowers design checks a lot of boxes for me.

2. Book Nerd T Shirt

Many readers are proud to call themselves book nerds. This vintage style t-shirt gives readers a retro vibe while communicating to those around them that yes, they’d be happy to talk to you about the best book they read recently.

3. “Abibliophobia” T Shirt

It may sound a little silly, but that’s only because it is! Do you or the reader in your life fear that you’ll run out of books to read? This would make a perfect shirt for someone who sees the humor in their infatuation.

4. “Read a Book” T Shirt

This shirt is a classic, with a simple and effective suggestion.

5. “Read” T Shirt

This shirt is a special one, and not just because I’ve bought it. This “Read” shirt is from my favorite Black-owned bookstore in Philadelphia Uncle Bobbies. It is simple and cool and communicates clearly (but not in a pushy way) that other people should read too. This has always been one of my favorites.

6. “I’m With the Banned” T Shirt

Books are being banned. They always have, but lately, it feels like it’s everywhere. If you or someone you know is proud to support books that are banned or on their way to becoming banned, this is the shirt to buy.

7. “Get Lit” T Shirt

I’m not sure who made the connection between the popular saying “get lit” and literary culture, but I’m grateful that they did. It allowed awesome book shirts like this one to be made!

8. “The Bookstore at the End of the World” T Shirt

Magical things happen when book lovers unite. This is exactly what happened when a few booksellers lost their jobs during the height of the pandemic. This shirt is the result of their efforts to support each other and share their expertise. It is a good buy on its own, but it feels even better when you know the message behind it.

9. “The Reader” T Shirt

Tarot card lovers will appreciate this book shirt. It mixes this craft with the love of reading into one epic piece of clothing.

10. “Walden” T Shirt

Oh, who wouldn’t love to rep this gorgeous piece of nature writing by Henry David Thoreau? I don’t think I’m alone in feeling drawn to bringing new books out to this cabin in the woods and get lost for a while.

11. “Books Are Magic” T Shirt

This shirt is another one from a famous independent bookstore, only this time it’s from one of the best bookstores in NYC! Books are Magic is a magical space in Brooklyn, NY that you should definitely visit if you’re ever in the area. This awesome shirt (with a true message!) will hold you over until you make it there.

12. “Read Banned Books” T Shirt

Another one for the reader who’s tired of book bans! This red one with a little flame symbol is giving me big Fahrenheit 451 vibes, so Ray Bradbury fans would love it as well as those who don’t want to see that dystopian future happen.

13. The Great Gatsby T Shirt

The Great Gatsby is one of the most widely read books in the country–and with reason! It takes you on a complicated journey of ideas and fallibility and love, and people who love it really love it. This famous cover design t-shirt is a hit with English teachers and fans of 20th century classics.

14. “Drink tea, Read Books, Be Happy” T Shirt

I wish I saw more billboards with wholesome & true sayings like this one! Be the billboard and wear this shirt, will ya?

15. “It’s a Good Day to Read a Book” T Shirt

Isn’t it though? There are so many benefits of reading, so every day seems like a good day to read.

16. “Save the Book Worms” T Shirt

This delightful saying could mean a lot of things, but to me, it’s about how if there’s a zombie invasion, you should come looking for me (and other readers). Check the library!

17. 1984 T Shirt

1984 by George Orwell seems like it is about yesterday, today, and tomorrow. This classic political dystopia is eerily relevant, and the shirt is just as creepy real as the book is. But of course, there are a lot of options for classic book shirts like this one.

18. “ISBN Thinking of You” T Shirt

What a cute, funny, and kinda romantic design for the reader who loves puns and inside jokes! Not everyone knows what an ISBN is (an International Standard Book Number), but every book has one, so avid readers probably do. I think it could make an excellent gift for a bookseller.

19. “Bookstores. Cats.” T Shirt

Bookstores and cats go together like comfy chairs and fireplaces. Life is sweet when life is bookish. If you or your loved one is a cat-friendly indie bookstore fanatic, there’s no better shirt.

20. Due Date Card T Shirt

Don’t you miss the days where you’d get a due date card like this when you borrowed a library book? This shirt is a fun nostalgic reminder of the good old days.

21. A Clockwork Orange T Shirt

Are you and your droogies drinking moloko and looking for new shirts to wear? A Clockwork Orange is a memorably odd and disturbing book that some readers are absolutely hypnotized by. This shirt with the classic cover is a real horrorshow for those who love the Nadsat language and this creepy novel.

22. “Support Your Local Library” T Shirt

Your local library deserves support and love! This shirt helps remind yourself and others to show your appreciation. Library book shirts make great gifts for librarians or people who are especially attached to their local library. (I’m looking at you, Matilda!)

23. Elephant and Piggie “Read” Book Shirt

This neat book shirt features the famous Elephant and Piggie, from the popular children’s book series. Book shirts like these are great for kids or for adults feeling a bit nostalgic.

24. “Raised by Libraries” T Shirt

Libraries shape the lives of book lovers around the world. If you have felt the impact of these sacred spaces in your life then a book shirt like this could be just the fit for you.

25. “My Weekend is All Booked” T Shirt

Reading is a perfectly acceptable excuse to not go out on the weekend. This shirt lets everyone know you are not messing around, but in a light-hearted and funny way.

This book shirts will be sure to elevate your wardrobe and give it some more literary flare. For more bookish gift lists, click here!

About the Curator

Jaylynn Korrell is a nomadic writer currently based out of Pennsylvania. In addition to writing and reading for Independent Book Review, she curates lists at GoodGiftLists.com.

Thank you for reading Jaylynn Korrell’s “Best Book Shirts to Elevate Your Wardrobe” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post Best Book Shirts to Elevate Your Wardrobe appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Jaylynn Korrell

These cheap bookshelves will save you money for what you need most: more books.

It doesn’t matter what kind of reader you are, if you’ve got books, you’re going to want to shelve them properly. Without good bookshelves, you’ll be swimming in stacks and feeling guilty for buying too many. Don’t let that happen.

Beyond being just an attractive & organized space to feature splashes of different spine colors, bookshelves are an absolute necessity for people who read a lot of books.

Yet, a quick Google search will show you that bookshelves aren’t always the most affordable items.

While expensive bookshelves can be real show-stoppers, there are so many more options available to you. There are plenty of cheap bookshelves to choose from that will look great in both home and office.

While everyone’s idea of cheap is different, I had to draw the line somewhere. $150 is the ceiling for this list, but most of the shelves on it are much less than that. Small bookshelves, tall bookshelves, bookshelves kids would like, and everything in between are featured here. They would make great gifts for book lovers or a nice gift for yourself & your home library. I’m sure you deserve it.

Here are 15 cheap bookshelves that’ll look great in your home or office.

(Everything on IBR lists has been independently selected by a very picky group of people. We may earn a commission on items you purchase through our links.)

#1. Classic Oak Finish Bookshelf

If you want classic bookshelf vibes on the cheap, you’ll love this one. It features five tiers, making it a great option for a large amount of books without taking up too much horizontal space.

#2. Modern 5 Tier Bookshelf

This cheap bookshelf has a more modern industrial vibe to it. The sides are a bit open so you might need some cool bookends, but that just sounds like a good excuse to get even more creative with your display.

#3. Tree Style Bookshelf

This tree style bookshelf is one of our favorites. So often people think they need to have a library-esque bookshelf in their home, but it can be just as satisfying to add bookish flare to multiple rooms in your house. Bookshelves like these would look great in a bedroom or guest room.

#4. Leaning Bookshelf

A leaning bookshelf is the best way to display your best books and not have it take up too much room. These types of bookshelves look great in living and dining rooms. Try shaking things up and devoting one genre to a shelf like this.

#5. Ladder Style Bookshelf

Few things go better together than books and plants, and this ladder bookshelf showcases that effortlessly. Try pairing a few succulents next to new books in a space that gets drenched in natural light. This bookshelf will definitely shine through.

#6. Boxy Bookshelf

There’s just something about these oddly shaped bookshelves that make a room pop. They’re great storage options for any space, but when you throw some eye-catching books in there, it kind of beckons you to check them out. We love cheap bookshelves like these because they demand that you get creative.

#7. Standard Vertical Bookshelf

If you’re looking to give your large book collection its own space to thrive, this is the one to go with. It is the most standard bookshelf there is and can hold a ton of books. I should know; I have a few of these in my home.

If you don’t have enough books to fill it, you can always display one or two of your best or most exciting books in a square at a time. In the end, this will look like a part of your wall, just like we want out of our home library.

#8. Midcentury Style Bookshelf

This cheap bookshelf is the best option for bedrooms. Sure you can put it anywhere, but it’s that cozy kind of shelf that you can use to quit stacking too many books on your nightstand.

#9. Modern Industrial Bookshelf

We’re bringing back the boxy bookshelf, but this time it’s jagged! Featuring a few steel pieces in its frame, cheap bookshelves like this one can become a real focal point in any room. Could be a good place to put books that guests would be excited to see, because this thing will catch their attention.

#10. Small Tree Bookshelf

A good bookshelf doesn’t have to hold 1,000 books. A good bookshelf has to hold books–however few. This bookshelf is the perfect option for small spaces like desks, nightside tables, kitchen counters, and coffee tables. It’s one of the best small bookshelves we’ve found.

#11. Classic Small Cube Bookshelf

This cube-style bookshelf doesn’t take up too much room either. It could double as a nightstand or a cute mini bookshelf in any room. With such little space you have to be sure you curate the titles in this shelf carefully, but that honestly just sounds like fun to me.

#12. Industrial Ladder Bookshelf

Have a lot of books and have to get skinny with it? This bookshelf has 5 tiers but fits nicely into tight spaces like between your couch and wall.

#13. Classic Cube Bookshelves

Oh, the classic cube bookshelf! People have been using this cube storage in a million different ways since it got here, but it works wonders as a bookshelf. It’s a nice way to fit a bunch of books in one space, and it looks great and clean when lined up side by side. Wall of books? Yes please.

#14. Short 3 Tier Bookshelf

Short bookshelves like this one can go anywhere in the house, but I think they look really great in office spaces. Teachers get a lot of use out of little bookshelves like this one too. It’s a great first cheap bookshelf to own if you don’t have enough books to fill something bigger yet.

#15. Floating Bookshelf

If you don’t want your bookshelf to take up ANY space on the ground, try out these neat floating bookshelves. They get mounted right into the wall and add some elevation and finality to a space.

About the Author

Jaylynn Korrell writes here and for GoodGiftLists.com . 

Thank you for reading 15 Cheap Bookshelves for Readers on a Budget by Jaylynn Korrell! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post 15 Cheap Bookshelves for Readers on a Budget appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Jaylynn Korrell

Buying gifts for book lovers ain’t easy.

You’ve already tried to buy the books they like or the best books of the year, but it turns out they have oscillating interests. It’s not easy to cater to another person’s current reading tastes and even availability. So you got them coffee mugs. And then you did it again and again and questioned if there are any good gifts for book lovers left.

Now here you are, ready to go beyond your usual choices and find a unique & awesome bookish gift to buy for them.

I’ve been dating a book lover for over a decade now and can tell you firsthand how difficult it has been to keep coming up with ideas over the years. It may be even harder to find gifts for writers! But I found some absolute winners and have seen how often they went to use.

So, I’m sharing them with you.

Here are 50 of the best gifts for book lovers that the reader in your life will actually love.

(Everything on IBR lists has been independently selected by a very picky group of people. We may earn a commission on items you purchase through our links.)

#1. Literary Candle

Having a candle burning while you’re reading creates the ultimate ambiance, and it’s so much better when the scent is book related. It used to be impossible to recreate the amazing book smell that book lovers can’t get enough of. But now, with this awesome candle, you can have that scent wafting in your room whenever you want.

#2. Novel Teas

Check out these punny book lover tea blends featuring quotes from famous authors! If you’re like most people and have been buying book lovers mugs for all these years, it’d be nice of you to switch it up and buy them something to put in the mug. The perfect drink to read with is tea, and there’s a lot of delicious and creative tea out there.

Snag them a bag of loose leaf with a cute little strainer and they’ll finally be able to put those mugs to work.

#3. A reading journal

Whether they know it or not, the reader in your life could love an opportunity to track the books they read. This one offers readers spaces to fill out their favorite bits about the books they’ve read as well as writing prompts.

#4. Neck Reading Light

One of the benefits of reading is that it can put you to sleep.

Habitual readers love to read in bed at the end of the day. It’s a great way to resist the eternal phone scroll and learn/feel entertained as their eyelids start to flutter. If they read physical books to go to sleep, they have to turn off the light (which risks them waking from such a close slumber!) or creating too much light for a sleeping partner.

They can read in the dark with a flexible book light. They just curve the light to face the pages, illuminating every word they need to see, and they can straight up go to sleep if they want to. Let go of that book and snooze. I love the gifts for book lovers that help them read. This is definitely one of them.

Another way to read in the dark is an ereader, which I’ll talk about soon!

#5. Essential Novel Scratch-Off Poster

Keeping track of the classics you read has never been more fun. This poster features 100 spaces with book titles around them. Each time you read one, you scratch off the space and a unique icon for that book will appear.

#6. A Small Bookshelf

Any book lover will be glad to have more space to put their beloved books. This little bookshelf is a great gift option that they can put on their nightstand or a small side table to help give it some literary flare. And if you love small book cases like this check out our small bookshelf idea blog post!

#7. “The Book Was Better” T-Shirt

Sometimes a good literary t-shirt says exactly what you need it to, and that will be the case for most book lovers when they see this shirt. To often the book is much better than whatever show or movie it gets turned into, and this shirt plainly states that in a stylish way.

#8. Footnotes from the World’s Greatest Bookstores

It can be difficult to buy books for book lovers! No doubt.

But…

Buying a book about books is always exciting to open as a reader! And this one? It is an awesome (and even pretty inexpensive!) coffee table book with paintings, stories, and anecdotes from booksellers around the world. As a coffee table book, it means they don’t have to free up their reading schedule to enjoy it! It gives readers a small adventure from the comfort of their living room and can even give them places to visit in the future.

#9. Audible Subscription

Listening to audiobooks is an awesome way to branch out as a reader. I love listening to nonfiction books while doing the dishes or cleaning. It can make getting things done around the house feel not quite as arduou, time-consuming, or temporary.

An audible subscription is a gift for book lovers that will give them access to thousands of audiobooks to enjoy at their leisure. They can even start with a 30 day free trial!

#10. Personal Library Kit

If you know someone who is always willing to lend you a book, we’ve found the perfect gift for them. This personal library kit contains everything they’d need to start lending in a more organized way. It’ll make borrowing their books more fun, and help to ensure they always get them back!

#11. Personalized Bookmark

Everyone who reads needs bookmarks. This is about as close to a fact as I can get. I can’t tell you the amount of times that I’ve started a new book only to realize I’ve lost my old bookmark AGAIN.

Whether it’s an old piece of string or a delicately created work of art, so long as there are books, there will be bookmarks. So why not buy a bookmark with their favorite author on it? Or a cool quote? These can be perfect, inexpensive little gifts for book lovers.

#12. Wooden Page Holder

Book lovers run into this problem all the time—especially with brand new books. How do you read when you’re busy straining to keep the book fully open the whole time?

This tool will help your book lover read with one hand, which they would probably prefer to do.

#13. Bookshop Gift Card

If you haven’t heard of Bookshop yet, you are in for a TREAT.

This bookselling e-commerce store has “a mission to financially support, local independent bookstores.” Since more people wanted to buy books online over the last decade, indie bookstores were hurting to compete with the shipping fees and delivery time that Amazon can work from. So bookstores needed an e-commerce site just to handle fulfillment.

That’s where Bookshop comes in. They are a non-profit that gives back to indie bookstores. You can send the reader in your life a gift card that allows them to choose whichever book they want to read while also supporting the industry they love so much. They can buy from their favorite indie booksellers like Independent Book Review (!), Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books, and A Novel Idea. Pretty cool, right?!

#14. Transparent Book Vase

If the book lover in your life also has a green thumb you may want to consider giving them this transparent book style vase. It’s a great way to showcase their love of books in the home without displaying an actual book (which we’re sure they’ve already done). If they like flowers, you could pair them with some of their favorites too.

If you like this list, you might also like gifts for writers!

#15. Literary Sweatshirt

This literary sweatshirt is a great gift to give the reader in your life that isn’t afraid to rep their favorite hobby through their clothing choices. If you like this shirt you might also like some of the tees on our our best book shirts post!

#16. Bedside Wooden Book Stand

If your reader loves to read in bed, this beauty could come in handy! They can keep their page without having to dog-ear it or even always have a bookmark around. Not only does it have a place for their coffee/tea and reading glasses, it’s a classy good-looking bookish piece to have around.

#17. Book Pillow Stand

Free up your hands with this comfy book stand! It’s so soft that it even doubles as a travel pillow, but I like it most as a hands-free page holder. Imagine plopping this comfy thing down on your lap and not having to prop the book open the whole time you read two pages and then the next two pages and the next. Cozy gifts for readers are good gifts indeed.

#18. Literary Tote Bag

Most literary people have a small obsession with buying books. And that’s fine! It makes useful gifts for book lovers like this all the more exciting to receive! They’ll be glad to have a new bag to accompany them to their favorite indie bookstore!

#19. Creative bookends

This is a great gift for book lovers who enjoy adding to their bookshelves. (As if that even needs to be said). If the reader in your life feels this way, giving them a cool bookend can give their shelf a more polished look. It even helps the books avoid damage due to excessive leaning.

Bookends come in all shapes and sizes, and they can serve a good purpose. I’ve seen bookends in the shape of cats, people, cool objects, and even abstract art.

#20. Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Though some people can read no matter where they are, others are more easily distracted by the sound of others. Luckily, this no longer means you have to read alone in a room. Noise cancelling headphones can give readers the flexibility to read wherever they please, while avoiding having to hear the noisiness of their surroundings. 

#21. Miniature Book Hair Clip

Spice up your book lover’s hair styles with this vintage inspired miniature book hair clip. It looks like something one of the Bronte sisters would make to wear, or one of the characters from Little Women. We love how unique it is and how it’s a cool nod to the hobby we all enjoy!

#22. Eyeglass Holder

It’s no fun to be ready to dive into a book and not be able to find your reading glasses. Neat eyeglass holders are great gifts for book lovers who are known to misplace their reading glasses from time to time. 

#23. Book Tissue Dispenser

Liven up a common space with your love of great literature! This book tissue dispenser is a fun way to bring a literary element into an uncommon area of your home. 

#24. Library Card Socks

Can you ever have too many socks? These comfy feet-companions pay tribute to the due date card often seen in the backs on library books, and they’re one of those special, “Guess what I’m wearing,” kind of quiet library surprises that book lovers love. They’d also make great gifts for librarians.

#25. Kindle Paperwhite

I LOVE my Kindle Paperwhite. I still love and adore holding a physical book, but I can’t always do it at night or on the road.

With this gift, book lovers can gain immediate access to thousands of books on one device, AND they’re often much cheaper than physical books. It even gives them the option to join subscription services like Kindle Unlimited and/or BookBub to make sure they don’t pay full price for a great new book ever again.

No blue light either, so it’s easy on the eyes!

#26. Kindle Unlimited Gift Subscription

Does your book lover read with a Kindle?

Give them thousands of books! Kindle Unlimited is a massive digital library where book lovers can download books, try them out, stop reading, and move on to the next; or they can do massive overhaul research by reading a bunch of free books on the same topic from the comfort of their bed. You can give them six free months, twelve free months, or even 24! A LOT of brand new books enter the library every day.

#27. “My Weekend is All Booked” Tote Bag

It can be difficult to make time for other activities when you’re an avid reader, which is what makes gifts for book lovers like this so great! They tell people you’re too busy to make plans without making you say it out loud. It is also a great way to haul your books to and from the library or bookstore.

#28. Bathtub Caddy for Reading

A bathtub caddy allows book lovers to safely place their book down in the tub and to rest their arms while they’re reading. And what a way to produce some ambiance! Light a candle, pour a glass of wine, and set it all on the bathtub caddy for a perfect night of reading.

#29. Literary Book Letters

Looking to create a more literary inspired space? These gifts for book lovers are a great way to help them add book inspiration to their home or office. Spell out any word you want, but I like it for “Read,” “Love,” or even their name.

#30. Library Candle

While you may not be able to sleep in an actual library, you can definitely help a home to smell more like one. Gifts for book lovers like this library candle can help to bring a similar aroma into their house and make them feel like they’re in one of their favorite places.

#31. Lit Chat: Conversation Starters about Books & Life

This little book holds 50 cards that act as conversation starters for people who love to talk about all things literary. This is also a cool gift for book clubs!

#32. Book Ring

It can be impractical to bring a book with you wherever you go, but that doesn’t mean you can’t always rep your love of reading. This lovely, unique, and quiet book ring both looks good and makes them feel good, reminding them that a book will be there for them.

#33. Literary movie

A movie about books might just be the next best thing to reading them. Luckily there are a ton of literary movies to choose from. You can send them something that’s based off of a book or you can pick a movie that’s about a famous or fictional author. There’s a wide range of movies to pick from, so here are a few of my favorites:

• Paterson – A quiet life in Paterson, New Jersey (a rich literary history here!) featuring Adam Driver as a bus-driving poet.
• The Pieces I Am – Toni Morrison documentary
• The End of the Tour – Journalist (Jesse Eisenberg) interviews David Foster Wallace (Jason Segal) while on tour for Wallace’s Infinite Jest.

#34. Blue Light Blocking Glasses

If the book lover in your life likes to read on their iPad or LED-light tablet, they may be looking at the screen too much. That’s where blue light blocking glasses can be beneficial.  They could help readers turn pages for a far longer time than they currently can because they’re no longer looking away from the screen with a headache.

#35. Literary socks

A book lover will love putting on these literary socks. Features typewriter text of some of the most popular novels ever written, this gift for book lovers is sure to go over well.

#36. Literary Postcards

Most readers can appreciate the art of writing, and what better way to put that to use than by writing to friends! Postcards are a nostalgic way to check in on people, letting them know what you’re up to, so why not make them a little more literary while you’re at it?

#37. Personalized Book Art

Personalized books just have a way of making a person feel special, and this personalized piece of book art is a great way to achieve that. Have a special word or your loved one’s name carved into a book to create a keepsake book that they’ll never get rid of!

#38. Book Themed Cross Body Purse

No matter if you’re a teacher or a coffee shop reader, getting a literary tote bag can be a great way to carry your books, notebooks, pens, and other necessities along with you. And luckily, there’s a design for almost every style, so book lovers who prefer subtle, funny, or eye-catching looks will all have something unique for them. It’s one of many perfect Jane Austen gifts you can choose from!

#39. Book Enamel Pins

Book pins are a great way to decorate a bags and clothing for all ages. They’re a small gift that will fit well into a stocking stuffer or go great when paired with a few more gifts from this list for an awesome literary gift basket! 

#40. Book Shirt / Game of Thrones Fans

Who doesn’t love a good literary t-shirt to add to their wardrobe? This one is a play on words from a famous Game of Thrones quote, but we think it works perfectly when talking about book lovers!

#41. “Booksmarks are for Quitters” mug

Every reader enjoys having a beverage to go with their book. This cool literary mug is one of the more popular gifts for book lovers, and a safe choice with a good vibe.

#42. Mug Warmer

A good cup of tea or coffee goes great with your favorite book, but it often doesn’t keep warm for the length of your reading experience. For this reason, mug warmers make great gifts for book lovers. It allows them to keep their hot beverage warm long after it would be naturally, and give them more time to enjoy it while diving into a good story. 

#43. “Just one more chapter” Throw Pillow

Casual book decor can be hard to come by, but this subtle throw pillow would make a great gift for someone looking to add some literary flare to their home. It’d look great on a bed or on a couch!

#44.  Bookcase Ornament 

The perfect gift for readers during the holiday season can be something as simple as an ornament. You can mark the year for your reader with a cute bookcase ornament to hang on the tree this Christmas. 

#45. Bedside Book Lamp

Reading should be attainable at any time of the day, and a bedside table lamp helps to make that possible. This one is shaped just like a book and opens and shuts like the real thing!

#46. Book Themed Wine Glass

If your book lover has a good sense of humor they’ll likely enjoy this funny gift for book lovers!

Find more great gifts for kids who love to read!

#47. Jane Austen Jigsaw Puzzle

Few things challenge the mind like a jigsaw puzzle. This one in particular would be a fun choice for all those Jane Austen stans in your life. They’d also probably like something over at our Jane Austen gifts blog post!

#48. Floating Bookshelves

There are all sorts of different ways you can display your books. From book stands to traditional shelves to the IBR style of wooden crates, I thought I understood it all. But then I remembered…floating bookshelves! And, voila, this gifts for book lovers blog post was born.

I mean, just take a look at that picture. The reader in your life could use these floating bookshelves all throughout their house. But it’s not only about decoration. They’re also great for storing your books when you’re done reading them in bed. Here are some cheap bookshelves if we’ve got your brain churning.

#49. Literary Genius Playing Cards

A good deck of cards should be a staple in every home, and these ones will make perfect gifs for book lovers. They feature some of the most notable writers in history.

#50. Glass Cup

These cups have been all the rage lately, so we were pleasantly surprised to find one with such a funnily relevant book quote on them. Buy this for the book lover in your life so they can enjoy their favorite iced beverage while devouring their next novel.

About the Author

Jaylynn Korrell writes here and for GoodGiftLists.com . 

Thank you for reading “50 Best Gifts for Book Lovers” by Jaylynn Korrell! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post 50 Best Gifts for Book Lovers appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Joe Walters

What does the phrase “indie books” mean?

Weirdly enough, this a complicated question. 

Different companies and different people consider an “indie book” different things, almost like the ambiguity of “blurbs.” For an industry so obsessed with words, this makes sense to me. Oh, it needs analysis? Sign some book nerds up!

So I’m throwing this out there…

This is how IBR defines an indie book: “a book that is either self-published or published by an independent press.”

You may ask, “Why not just choose one word for indie press authors and one word for self-published authors? Why use only ‘indie book?’” 

Well…

There are a TON of similarities between the two types of indie books.

Let’s look at it first from the perspective of a person entering a bookstore.

Maybe it’s Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million, but my vote is for the indie bookstore down the block from you. You walk in and see books on tables and books on shelves, and you want to read them all. (Or I do.)

But did you know that most books in most bookstores come from the same five publishing houses or their imprints? 

You might know their names: Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, Harper Collins, and MacMillan. These companies publish books by celebrities, by Stephen King, by Booker Award winners. They use large marketing budgets to sell large amounts of books to their large customer bases. And a lot of the time, they’re excellent books by brilliant authors & experts.

But just because they’re published by these companies doesn’t mean they’re better than the books that are published elsewhere.  Just because they’re all over your local bookstore doesn’t mean that they’re the only authors and books worth reading.

Books by indie presses win major awards every single year. These presses publish and promote books that break boundaries, take risks, and change the way we see our world. (I’m looking at you, Braiding Sweetgrass!). 

Now, here’s the thing…

Books by self-published authors can be just as or better than traditional publishers. They see this is a business decision–one in which they can launch when they want to, build their brand how they want to, control the output, and receive considerably more in in royalties. There are so many good self-published books out there, with hustling authors pumping out bestselling books. 

I guess what I’m really trying to say here is:

Put your trust in indie books.

I’m not telling you to stop reading books by the major publishers. Actually, I’ll tell you to read more of them (because *plot twist* books are awesome). It’s just–you should also make room on your nightstand for the best indie books.

Don’t balk at your purchase when you see “Independently Published” in the Product Description box. Make indies a regular part of your reading habit so that you can see all of the amazing things that authors and presses can do with their limited budgets and unlimited creativity.

My company (IBR, the site you’re on RIGHT NOW) reviews only indie books and curates lists of them. We want to give both types of “indie author” the opportunity for publicity & recognition. We want to shout indie books from the rooftops since the Big Five publishers already have real estate up there.

But before you go scrolling more of our book lists, let’s put to rest some indie publishing anomalies.

What is an indie press exactly? 

It is a publishing house that is not connected to the Big Five publishers except in relation to distribution. Indie presses can be as small as one dedicated individual in a basement to full offices of full-time employees. The departments can include editing, marketing, design, legal, accounting, management, etc. An indie press can even have a number of imprints.

What is a small press?

An indie press (just smaller)! A small press may consist of only a few employees and publish a few titles a year, while bigger indies with bigger staffs publish 100+ books a year. Things can also get a little mixed-up with that “small” designator when the books make it big via huge sales and big awards.

Since I know you’re wondering! Some of my favorite small presses are Future Tense Books, Thirty West Publishing, and June Road Press.

What is an indie author?

At IBR, we consider an indie author to be a writer who either self-published their book or got it published by an indie press. Some people choose only to describe self-published authors as indie authors, but I like indie presses & their authors way too much to leave them out of the distinction.

Yes, this means that bestselling authors with major indie presses and wide distribution wear the same “indie author” moniker as a self-published author who has to do most if not all the work themselves. So why put them in the same category?

By going with an independent press, these big-name bestselling authors are still contributing to a break away from the at-times singular vision of the same five companies & their imprints. New minds, idea expansion, risk-taking, groundbreaking–indie authors can sell a ton of books or none; they’re both still indie to us.

What are some more similarities between self-published & indie press authors?

If you publish with an indie press, you may receive services like editing & cover design for free. (If you publish with a vanity indie press, you pay them for the services). 

When your book comes out, the press may do some marketing on your book’s behalf too. Maybe they send an email, post it on social media, and pitch for reviews. It benefits them to sell books because they get a portion of the royalty. 

But beyond this help from the press, they share almost everything with self-published authors. Many indie presses use Print on Demand services instead of printing large quantities of books at a time. 

Like self-published authors, indie press authors are responsible for doing the bulk of the marketing: pitching for reviews & interviews, doing readings, operating email lists, paying for book promotion, etc.

This is hard, time-consuming work—one of the many reasons why I want to make things a bit easier on indie authors with IBR. These humans are out here actual sweating—selling, producing, and writing great books all wiping their brow.

Where can I find & support indie books?

1. Independent Book Review! We review only indie books, and we curate our collection by delineating our favorite books (Starred Reviews) and we put together book lists regularly that highlight some of the amazing work being done in the indie publishing community.
2. Kindle Unlimited & Scribd! These eBook subscription services are highly utilized by indie authors. Not all of them will be indie published, but if you check out the “Product Information,” they’ll share if the book was independently published or published by an indie press.
3. Deal sites like BookBub, BargainBooksy, and Fussy Librarian! If you subscribe to email lists like the ones provided here, you’ll get notifications of free or discount books. And who utilizes this service often? Indie authors! 
4. Amazon bestseller lists! If you go to specific genre bestseller lists, you’re bound to find indie books scattered throughout. Like I said earlier, indie authors know how to make this thing work. You can find out if the book is indie by clicking on the title and scrolling down to the Product Information section.
5. Your local indie bookstore! Maybe! Hopefully! Some indie bookstores respect the struggle AND believe that these books can sell, so they stock indie books. Some bookstores that come to mind are A Novel Idea (Philly), Greenlight Bookstore (NYC), and Powell’s (Portland)!

And…indie book 101 is complete. Thanks for stopping in! Let us know your favorite indie books in the comments below.

About the Author

Joe Walters is the editor-in-chief of Independent Book Review and the author of The Truth About Book Reviews. He has been a book marketer for Sunbury Press, Inkwater Press, and Paper Raven Books. When he’s not doing editorial, promoting, or reviewing work, he’s working on his novel, playing with his kids, or reading indie books by Kindle light.

Thank you for reading Joe Walters’s blog post “What Are Indie Books? (and Other Indie Publishing Anomalies)!” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post What Are Indie Books? (And Other Indie Publishing Anomalies) appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Usman Raza

Do you feel like you’re not a good reader?

You’re not alone.

Reading requires an active brain, and it’s not always easy to get there. Endless distractions, confusing sentences and syntax, noise–you name it, people who read have struggled with it.

But you can make it out of the struggle. You can be a reader if you want to be. It is one of the most powerful forms of independent education and an important aspect of human development; there are so many benefits of reading. Reading can open your eyes to new cultures, ideas, and ways of life. Reading as a habit can make you smarter, happier, and healthier.

But reading does take time, no matter how good you get at it. Still, you can make that time relaxing and enjoyable. So let’s transcend the reading frustration and get you to where you want to be.

Here are my recommendations for how to become a better reader.

1. Take notes as you read

I know, I know, I hear you. Reading is supposed to be relaxing, not homework.

But be patient. That part is coming.

Whether it’s for class, for work, or just for yourself, taking good notes when reading can actually go a long way in helping you remember what happened in the book and what’s important. You’ll start to recognize that you’re writing down the details that matter, and in that process, actually learning the details that matter–whether it’s fiction or nonfiction.

Take in all the information you possibly can. Write down the details of what happened, when it happened, and what was said. Write it all down, however you do it. Whether that means using a pen and paper, a digital notebook, or your phone. Then, before your next class or the next time you pick the book up, revisit your notes.

Taking the time to summarize key ideas can help you build on your knowledge, making for a richer learning experience. And I’m confident that you’ll be able to retain more when you’ve taken the time to take good notes.

And then, after a few books like this, maybe you won’t need to take notes anymore. Maybe you can just curl up next to the fire, enjoy yourself, and comprehend the important parts of what happened. But the only way you’ll get better is if you work at it–and those notes can go a long way in helping you get there.

#2. Schedule Time to Read

Even if it doesn’t feel like it now, reading can be one of the best ways to de-stress and unwind. Once you get into the groove of reading regularly–and really, all it takes to be a reader is to read–you’ll start to notice that you are spending less time away from stressful emails and more time in the pages of a book that could help you learn, escape, and think.

But reading can be hard to fit in your schedule. That’s why it’s important to put it in your schedule in advance.

Reading is good for you. It can have a positive effect on your mind and your mental health. But, like exercise, it could feel low on your priority list.

Once you start thinking of reading as less of a task and more of a way to unwind and unplug, you may start to notice the available minutes to read are piling up.

So, yes, you can schedule the time in stringently--“from 8 PM to 8:20 PM, I will read my book”–or just put in your schedule that you want to do it for twenty minutes. Then, throughout the day, when you feel tempted to pick that phone up, pick your book up instead. You’ll be glad you put it into your daily routine.

3. Monitor your comprehension

Reading comprehension refers to the ability to understand various words, phrases, and ideas in what you are reading. 

A lot goes into exercising your comprehension skills, but the most important element is practice.

Practicing your comprehension skills daily will help make you a better reader. But how do you do it?

Well, as you read, just make sure you actually understand what’s going on. If you don’t, find the cause of the confusion in each sentence. Is it a word you don’t understand? A phrase? Look it up. Context clues are great and all, but nothing helps comprehension the way actual definitions do.

Note-taking is helpful in monitoring comprehension too. It’s easy as a beginning reader to just want to get the pages done (especially if you have a limited amount of time to do it), but if you don’t understand what you’ve read, you may as well have not read it at all.

4. Find your own reading strategy & style–and stick to it.

Every one reads differently. Their schedules are different, their preferences are different, their formats are different–it doesn’t matter. As long as you put the time in to read, you are a reader.

But remember: good readers don’t just read; they read actively. They decode for understanding, not to just get to the next page.

So don’t let book jerks get to you. Find the strategy that works best for you. Take notes, set yourself up in the most comfortable spot in the house, put wordless jazz on in the background, set a timer. Go paperback, eBook, audio–it doesn’t matter. Just choose to make reading a habit and start doing it.

If your goal is to improve your ability to read—and succeed academically—you will need to use a reading strategy that works best for you. Then you can focus on consuming the content you need when you need it–not how to get it done.

Happy reading to you! What stands in your way of becoming a better reader? Let me know in the comments!

About the Author

Usman Raza is a CEO and the co-founder of Faith-Based Advertising Company and a content marketing specialist at Church Marketing Agency, The Glory Candle, and Christian Store, Paradise Altar Church. He is devoted to helping small businesses bridge success gaps by providing in-depth, actionable advice on digital marketing, SEO, and small business growth. Follow him on Twitter @usmanintrotech.

Thank you for reading “How Do You Become a Better Reader?” by Usman Raza! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post How Can I Become a Better Reader? appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Joe Walters

Is it too late for you to make a habit out of reading?

Maybe you haven’t cracked open a book in a while. Maybe you just can’t seem to finish the one you started. Maybe you feel so bogged down by how the heavy the world is that it feels like too much work to pick one up.

But you’ve made it to this blog post, so I’m thinking you’d like to make a change.

And good news: that’s the first step.

If you want to make a habit out of reading, you are not too late to get started.

Let’s take a look at the reality of 2021’s attention landscape, or, in other words, your available sea of distractions:

• Your phone
• Your computer
• Your TV
• Your kids
• Your housekeeping
• Your spouse
• Your things
• Your things
• Your things

So, how do you really make the time to become a reader?

Well…

I was asked recently to contribute to a blog post called, “Top Tips for Book Lovers Q & A: Advice from the Experts.” (Check out that blog post if you haven’t clicked it yet. There’s all sorts of great advice in there.) The question they asked me was this: 

“How do you create a reading habit at home?”

And. It. Was. TOUGH.

I obviously want everybody to read more. Reading has transformed my life in an insane number of ways, and I couldn’t be more thankful that it’s a thing I’ve made a habit of doing.

But every situation is different. Every life is different. Every reading mind is different. I could tell you to throw your phone out the window (which I will) and tell you to read different genres at once because your tastes/times will differ from moment to moment (which I will), but damn, man—reading is about gifting yourself time and that’s pretty much it.

A thing about free time is that it’s yours to do what you want with it. And you won’t always have a lot of it. So all I’m proposing here is for you to make reading an option.

(If you want to.)

Let’s get started.

Here are 5 tips for how to develop a reading habit at home: 

#1. Separate yourself from your phone

I don’t know your lifestyle, but I do know that most of you have access to instant gratification that you can choose over reading.

Twitter. Instagram. Facebook. YouTube. Reddit. Netflix. It’s difficult to stay away when we feel like we might miss something.

I’m NOT telling you to stop that.

It’s pretty damn hard, and I’ll be the first to admit I don’t do as well as I’d like to. But for reading time, I have learned to do a much better job of leaving the internet behind.

When cracking open a book, I implore you to separate yourself from the internet. Leave it on the other side of the room. Go outside and don’t bring the phone with you. Go in a different room.

When it’s away from you, it requires an extra walk-of-shame-style task for you to give yourself that brain break you tell yourself you need at the end of another paragraph, section, or chapter break. If you need the dictionary, get your phone (or a dictionary, obviously) and just promise me you’ll be back as soon as you can.

But separating yourself from the internet is easier said than done.

For me, I gave myself scroll breaks all the time even though I kinda-sorta-all-the-way-didn’t-like how social media operated. I did it anyway. I didn’t have any notifications while I was away, or I had ones that I didn’t need to know immediately. There are obviously exceptions to the rule, but most days, whatever it is that happened on your phone, social media account, or email (if anything at all) while you were reading, could most likely wait for you to finish that chapter.

You’d be amazed at how much you can move forward in a book when you keep reading the words in front of you instead of the ones on your screen.

#2. Read a variety of different types of books at the same time

This one may sound a little loopy if you’re not already a “reader,” but trust me, you’re not always going to want to dive into a big meaty chapter if you don’t have the time for it.

Sometimes, you’re going to want to dip your toe in regardless of if you’re able to finish the chapter or not.

This is where nonfiction comes in handy for me. It’s often easy to dive into nonfiction books without the commitment of a full chapter. It’s also easier to stop in the middle of a paragraph and resume it without having to reread too much the next time I pick it up.

Because of this, I like to have a slew of different style books at the ready.

Here’s a little list of the books that I was reading on the day I started this blog post:

• What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J.A. Chancy – Literary Fiction – Novel. This one has big meaty paragraphs of artful prose and big content about an earthquake in Haiti. It’s excellent and I’m really in awe of Chancy’s prose, but it’s also not something that I dive into when I have a small window. This is my longer stretch of free time book.
• Refuse to Be Done by Matt Bell – Nonfiction – Publishing/Writing. This is my pick up and read during a short window book. I read a lot in my field of writing/publishing. You may or may not be in that field with me. Regardless, this one works almost like self-help & educational books, with short sections within sections, headers, subheadings, and easy-to-read prose. I’m never worried when I pick this up that, if house duty calls in some form or another, I can’t put this book down without having wasted my productive reading time.
• Best Microfiction 2021 edited by Meg Pokrass – Short Fiction Anthology. Is this a great bathroom book because I can finish a few very short stories while sitting on the toilet? Yes. Am I going to talk more about sitting on the toilet? No, goodbye.
• From Book to Bestseller by Penny Sansevieri – Nonfiction – Publishing/Writing. This is my current Kindle before-bed read. I am a book marketer for Sunbury Press, and I’m always on the search for new ways to get books into readers’ hands. And this book has been helpful and smooth so far. And it’s easy to fall asleep with my non-blue-light Kindle. If I tried to read one of my paperbacks/hardcovers at night, I’d have to make the choice to turn the light off, which could wake me up. All I have to do with a Kindle is keep reading until I nod off and it falls on my face.
• Runaways by Michael J. Seidlinger – Humor – Novella. Sometimes I get a short book that I want to read right away but also want to make sure it lasts beyond a couple sessions, so I don’t make it my primary fiction read. This novella is about a writer who struggles with distractions and intersperses funny tweets about the struggles throughout. As you might be able to guess, I vibed with it pretty hard. I’d read a few pages before something else or in exchange of something else, depending on my mood.

So…stay flexible! And give yourself an excuse to buy different books and/or grab a few extra books from the library next time you’re in. It might just help you create that habit to have the variety.

#3. Try out different formats (like eBooks & audiobooks)

Book snobs suck. They’ll tell you it’s not reading if you can’t feel the pages, that ebooks & audiobooks don’t count. It is my firm belief that this opinion is a bad one and that these people need a swift kick in the pants. If you don’t feel comfortable kicking them, don’t call me, because I also won’t kick them, but hey, maybe somebody will.

Listen up: You can read however you want. And if you experiment with different formats, you may just find a way where you can finish more books and be smarter because of it.

Let’s tackle eReaders first.

I used to hate on them. I even remember back in college saying the corniest thing I could think of: “Yeah, but you can’t smell the pages on an eReader.” I also said that I couldn’t annotate the books and that I couldn’t share the books I loved with other people. Here’s why I now believe all of those answers suck:

• You can still smell the pages of physical books if you’re into that kind of thing. It just won’t be all of your books. And trust me when I say—you don’t need to smell all of your books, especially the used ones.
• You can absolutely annotate your books in an eReader. I have a Kindle, and I can make notes of sections I love and even search to find those pieces later. It’s a legitimately more efficient way to do it. 
• Do you really like sharing books with other people? How often do you get it back? How often do people actually read it? With how often you hope to give books away, just read it on your eReader first (if that’s what you end up doing), and if you think you want to give it to someone, just get them the physical book or recommend it to them. This shouldn’t stop you from taking advantage of the last bullet point…
• eBooks are cheaper! If you read three books for the price of one hardcover, you go to prove the point that the more books you read, the smarter you become. It’s about the words, not the format.

But probably my favorite thing about eBooks is that I can read them to go to sleep by. They have their own light (and some of them aren’t LED for those whose eyes are sensitive like mine) and instead of scrolling or watching dumb stuff on the internet, you can read something you don’t have to finish in big chunks (like nonfiction) as you’re going to sleep, and it can actually help the ZZZZZs arrive.

And lastly, audiobooks rule, especially for nonfiction. They can be narrated by some really terrific voice actors (sometimes even the authors themselves), and it can feel like a podcast or like you’re sitting there hanging out with them while you’re doing dishes, vacuuming, holding your baby with one hand and patting their butt with the other. 

Again, if you’re getting the vibe at all from this post yet—making a habit is all about making reading easier on yourself. Expanding your format options is a great way to do that.

Fun Fact: Audible offers a free trial if you want to give audiobooks a shot!

#4. Stop reading books that aren’t inspiring you

This is a controversial take and everyone’s opinion is different, so if you see what I’m saying and think, “Joe, kindly kick yourself in the pants,” that’s fine, but hear me out:

A thing about books is that they take the same amount of time to read whether you don’t like it at all or if it changes your life forever.

So give that book you bought a shot. No doubt. Maybe even keep reading on if you still have hope for it moving forward. But when you feel uninterested to return to it, don’t return to it. You could be reading something that actually alters your worldview for the better, and you can always return to that book you gave up on later if you really want to. 

There is one caveat though: you have to finish some books. I’m confident you will if you keep making time for it, but if you are someone whose habit has become reading the first chapter and then abandoning your last ten books, well then maybe you need to finish that next one that you’re digging. You’d be surprised at how awesome books are when you get the chance to see the full picture.

#5. Be patient with yourself

I get paid to read, and I’m still slow at it. Some brains just work that way. And you better believe that when you jump into reading after not having done it in a while, you’re going to move through the pages slowly and you might have to reread some things. 

You know what you should do in that case?

Go slow. 

Recognize that all you can do is read one word after the other.

As long as you aim to understand what’s on the page and not just move through it to get it done, you’re going to exit this reading experience one book stronger than when you came in.

In the end…

You can make reading as romantic as you want (favorite couch, favorite coffee, favorite candle, whatever) or you can pull out your book or Kindle without the romance—to just give yourself the permission to read.

Any way you do it (or don’t do it), books are going to be there when you’re ready for them. Don’t beat yourself up if it’s not part of your routine now or tomorrow or in January. Your time is yours. I want only for you to do whatever you want with it.

What are the biggest distractions that stop you from developing a reading habit at home? Let me know your answers in the comments

About the Author

Joe Walters is the founder and editor-in-chief of Independent Book Review and a book marketing specialist at Sunbury Press. When he’s not doing editorial, promoting, or reviewing work, he’s working on his novel and trusting the process.

Thank you for reading “How Do You Develop a Reading Habit at Home?” by Joe Walters! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post How Do You Develop a Reading Habit at Home? appeared first on Independent Book Review.

by Jaylynn Korrell

Finding the right gifts for writers in your life can be daunting.

You’ve already bought them their fair share of mugs, bookmarks, and other literary knick-knacks. And they already own all of their favorite books. So what else do they want?

What are the perfect gifts for writers?

There are so many gifts for writers that could be helpful or inspiring to their writing or their day-to-day lives. If you’re looking for a practical and useful gift for writers they’ll genuinely be happy about receiving, we’ve got the list for you! And if you can’t find what you’re looking for her check out some gifts for book lovers!

(Everything on IBR lists has been independently selected by a very picky group of people. We may earn a commission on items you purchase through our links.)

Check out these 50 gifts for writers (that they actually need)!

#1. One Line A Day Journal

Sometimes the best gifts for writers is the push to keep up the habit of writing every day. This little journal will help them to get some words out each day and keep exercising their creative muscles.

#2. Writer’s Toolbox

A little extra help in a time of need is one of the best gifts for writers that you can give. While you may not be able to provide that writing assistance yourself, this gift for writers can do just the trick.

#3. Astrohaus Freewrite Traveler Typewriter

If the writer in your life struggle with distractions then they’ll likely enjoy a gift life the Astrohaus Freewrite Traveler Typewriter. It’s the perfect alternative to totting around their laptop, and frees them from being sidelined by things like emails or social media. It’s a portable typewriter that is compact and only weighs 1.6 pounds, but also holds tons of storage, has built-in wifi, and can effortlessly sync up to the cloud. This little gadget is the gift that most writers only dare to dream about.

#4. Writer’s Emergency Pack

If you want to give your writer a resource for then they’re having some writer’s block there’s no better tool than this gift for writers.

#5. Writer’s T-Shirt

A serious writer’s life is pretty simple, and this writer’s t-shirt covers the basics of how it feels to be in the throws of a good writing routine! Writers will love the concept of this t-shirt, and it’s straightforward message!

#6. Amazon Kindle Scribe

There’s nothing quite like handling a paperback book and turning real pages, but as we covered earlier, writers have to read on their screen very often. These are great gifts for writers and readers!

With Kindle Scribe, they can actually send Microsoft Word or PDF documents from their computer over to their Kindle to give them a break from the blue light that hurts their eyes. They can also take handwritten notes as this Kindle doubles as digital notebook. That way, they could read their book and take notes the same as if they had already published the eBook, or use it to write their own novel.

#7. Hard Cover Writing Journal

Sometimes the best gifts for writers is a blank slate. This hard cover writing journal will give your writer a book of fresh blank pages to start writing down their great ideas or jotting down chapters of their next great novel! It comes with over 300 pages, giving them ample room to write down whatever comes to mind.

#8. Writing Dice

Make writing fun again with this awesome writing dice set. It features 9 dice that help writers banish the blank page and quick start their creativity making it one of the more useful gifts for writers with writer’s block.

#9. Tell them about IBR

However you found this blog post, we’re pumped that you came. Did you know that in addition to promoting amazing small press and self-published books we publish content exclusively for writers? How about that we offer nearly all the author services a writer would need to publish a book? Well, you do now.

We are always searching for new readers and writers to join our community and get to celebrating indie books together. So it may not seem like a gift with a ribbon on top, but if you drop IndependentBookReview.com into the writer in your life’s phone or email, I’m confident they’ll love you for sending them over.

#10. Personalized Writer’s Block

A writer’s block is one of the sillier gifts for writers on this list, but it doesn’t have to be. This writer’s block is able to be personalized on all 6 sides. It’s a great opportunity to include inspirational messages to your writer that will help to get them out of a funk. Add quotes from famous authors, personalized messages.

#11. Encouraging Candle

Sometimes the best gifts for writer’s aren’t serious at all, but encouraging. Letting your writer know that you believe in them and their work can go a long way and. this little candle does just that.

#12. Lap Desk

No one wants to admit that they write in bed, but if you have a writer living in your home you’ve probably walked in on them doing just that. If you want to make them feel more legit writing in bed, and put some space between them and a lot of electromagnetic frequency radiation, a lap desk is a good gift for writers. It can also make a great gift for kids who like to read in bed!

#13. Craft In the Real World by Matthew Salesses

Chosen as one of the best books our founder (Joe Walters) read in 2021! Here’s why:

“Craft in the Real World breaks down what you think you know about writing craft and communicates honestly how to approach writing, editing, publishing, and workshopping books. If you’re a writer and you haven’t read this book yet, you’re doing yourself a disservice…This book is destined to be a craft book classic.”

#14. Magnetic Poetry

You never know when inspiration will strike. Often times its when we least expect it. In those cases its nice to have a literary tool on hand. These magnetic poetry pieces will fit effortlessly onto any fridge and make a great gift for writers who spend any amount of time in the kitchen.

#15. Kindle Unlimited Membership

A kindle unlimited membership will give the writer in your life access to over one million eBooks as well as thousands of audiobooks. If you’ve been following us at IBR for a while, you know how much we love it when authors support one another by downloading books, writing reviews, and talking about them on social media. With a Kindle Unlimited membership, the writer in your life can download a whole lot of indie eBooks for free and help emerging authors get the recognition they deserve—not to mention that the author in your life will now have access to plenty of free books.

There’s even an option to start a free 30 day Kindle Unlimited trial!

#16. Noise-Cancelling Headphones

The idea of a peaceful, silent writing room isn’t always realistic. Writers are not always lucky enough to write in a quiet space, because sometimes, their coffee shop gets too noisy to get their work done. You can help make it easier on them by gifting the writer in your life a pair of noise-cancelling headphones so that they can bump music and still get their writing done. And this way, it doesn’t matter how loud the holiday music is in the coffee shop.

#17. Neck Reading Light

Stephen King once said, “If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.” And I couldn’t agree more! Writers should turn to reading when they want to encounter new ways to tell a story, new conversations, new ideas, and new inspiration. 

But that inspiration doesn’t always happen during the day. If the writer in your life loves to read in the middle of the night, a good book light will be a great gift to give them. This one sits comfortably on their neck making reading at night easier than ever!

#18. Writer’s T-shirt

It’s hard to find a good literary t shirt that isn’t completely tacky, but we’ve done it. This t-shirt isn’t annoying, and is a cool way to rep what you love. It’s also in a cool typewriter font which any writer will appreciate.

Check out the best gifts for book lovers!

#19. Fine Point Pens

A good pen can make the writing process so much more enjoyable, but like many small items, good pens get lost easily. For this reason, a packet of good pens is one of the most practical gifts for writers that you can give. 

Writers are pretty much always in need of more pens (especially if you just got them that pocket notebook ). If you’re on a budget, they could be a smart buy. 

#20. The Storymatic Game

Sometimes a simple game is just the thing a writer needs to free up space in their brain. This one stays on the literary theme and can be enjoyed with family and friends

#21. “Do Not Disturb” Door Knob Hanger

Let’s face it, writing takes a bit of peace and quiet. Depending on where your writer’s office is that may be hard to attain. This writer’s “Do Not Disturb” door knob hanger makes great gifts for writers who need help communicating their need for alone time.

#22. Literary Candle

When writers are really into their work they tend to stay in their office for long periods of time. And over time that office can get…rank! Literary candles make great gifts for writers who want to stay in their office forever and have it not smell like an old shoe. This one in particular smells like a library! Check out more library themed gifts here!

#23. Help Them Improve Their Writing by Hiring Beta Readers

Writing is a strenuous and solitary task. When a writer sits at their computer and tries to revise, edit, revise, and edit some more, it’s possible they lose objectivity and can’t quite see what would improve their work the most.

That’s why your writer might be interested in getting feedback through editorial services. At IBR, we offer all the editing services your writer could possibly want, including big-picture feedback like group beta reading and editorial letters.

#24. Individual Keurig Machine

Did you know that writer’s blood is made up of almost 90% coffee? Even though that’s a total lie, there’s no denying that coffee is a near necessity for writers to stay energized and ready to write. If they don’t already have one, a Keurig Machine can be a great gift for writers. And if they do already have one, you can buy them a reusable K cup filter. This helps decrease the waste that the plastic, one-time use filters create, and also gives them the opportunity to try different coffees that aren’t available in a K-cup.

#25. Creative Block Writing Prompt Game

Writing doesn’t have to be so serious. In fact writing can be a sun activity that everyone can take part in. This game is one of the great gifts for writers that allows them to get their brain pumping while still being social.

#26. Plan a DIY Writing Retreat

Writers need alone time, but sometimes their office or the quiet section in their library just isn’t enough. A change of scenery can be the key ingredient to finishing that last chapter, or finding a storyline that hadn’t presented itself before. But this kind of writer’s solitude isn’t just for those who want to join in on a pre-organized writing retreat like Barrelhouse’s Writer Camp. Anyone devoting their life to the craft deserves it, and you can make it happen without living near a pre-organized retreat!

A few great options for independent writer retreats include a cabin in the woods, a hotel getaway, AirBnb, and more. Places like KOA have campgrounds all around America that start out at $40 a night. State and National parks can also be a great option. Their cabin and yurts are moderately priced between $30-60 and provide enough simplicity and quietude for a productive couple of days without distractions. And having it be around some beautiful scenery never hurt anybody either. Right?

#27. Desk Timer

Some writers work better when given a certain amount of time to write, making digital desk timers a great gift for writers. They can set the timer for the amount of time they wish to write, and not look back up until that timer goes off. It’s a healthy and inspirational writing exercise that I always recommend people trying at some point in their writing career.

#28. Scrivener Software

If the creative writer in your life doesn’t know about Scrivener yet, they are going to love you when you introduce it. It’s a terrifically helpful word-processing program that provides ways for writers to organize notes, craft characters, research, and outline. If they’re developing a novel, they’re going to love this.

#29. USB Microphone for Dictation

Writing is hard. Even when writers sit down to meet their deadline or pump out another scene in their novel, they can still be tempted to get distracted.

So why not make things a little easier for them?

With this USB microphone, writers can speak out their sentences, paragraphs, and scenes, and their word processor will translate it into text on the page for them. It’s just different enough from their usual style that it could feel like newfound inspiration. Using this device to keep getting more words on the page could be especially helpful during a time when a writer is trying to meet deadline, like NaNoWriMo.

Click here to check out some of our gifts for kids who love to read!

#30. Pocket Notebooks

If the writer in your life isn’t a fan of writing on their phone, then a pocket notebook is a sweet little gift to give them. They’re easy to take with you, in your pocket or purse, and can help you get down ideas wherever you are. 

It’s a good option for those who like to take notes or write without drawing attention from people around them. All they have to do is pull it out of their pocket, get the thought down, and keep on moving.

#31. Writing Workshop

Writing workshops are a great way to get your writer’s work into the hands of other writers. In these workshops, writers will exchange work, get and give critiques, and have a community of people to work with who have the same passion as them. Some workshops last a day, some last weeks. Some are even offered online.

If you want to check out some organizations who offer writing workshops, head on over to 10 Literary Organizations Promoting Writing Centers, Classes, and Community.

#32. Official Scriveiner Fountain Pen Gift Set

This classic ballpoint pen makes a cool and fancy presentation for the writer in your life. Some writers do just feel a bit more inspired with a classic pen in hand and this one can definitely contribute to that feeling. This pen in in particular is embellished with a 24k gold finish and an extra fine point.

#33. Standing Desk Attachment

Sitting down all day can be exhausting, especially with everyone working from home lately. It’s nice to give writers the opportunity to switch it up, and stand comfortably while they do their work. Standing desks don’t need to replace a normal desk, but can be set on top of one and adjusted to a comfortable height for your writer. They are even said to improve posture, and boost productivity!

#34. Typewriter Pen Holder

Help contribute to a more organized writing area by giving gifts for writers like this one. This neat little typewriter inspired pen holder will keep their desk in theme while also keeping all those loose pens and pencils in one place. 

#35. Vintage Inspired Page Holder

They say a good writer is typically an avid reader, so you can assume the writer in your life is also a book lover. Give your writer a fun way to hold their place in their latest novel with this vintage inspired book mark.

#36. Writer’s Quote Poster

If the writer in your life needs a little more inspiration in their office then they’ll likely love gifts for writers like this poster. It’s a subtle and vintage inspired piece of art that reminds them of their reason for continuing their work each day.

#37. Laptop Privacy Screen

Writing in a public place can be uncomfortable. With people sitting really close to you and walking behind you, it’s inevitable that someone will take a glance at your laptop screen. If privacy is important for you or the writer in your life, this privacy screen for laptops could be a great gift. It allows only the person sitting directly in front of the screen to see whats being written.

#38. A Bottle of Writer’s Tears

While there might be enough to go around, we’re not talking about actual writer’s tears here. We’re talking about an actual brand of whiskey that has a clever title, and could be the perfect kick to get your writer back on track, or to take the edge off after a long writing session. Alcohol in general is just a good gift to give writers. We are stressed, a lot! But if it’s called Writer’s Tears, it has a little bit of that humor element that makes gift giving special while also being a personalized, practical gift.

#39. Typewriter Bookends

 To accommodate the ever-growing book collection that the writer in your life definitely owns, a couple of tasteful bookends could be a great gift. These sturdy book-stoppers come in all shapes and sizes, but sticking to something classic is my particular favorite. 

#40. Bookshop gift card

If you haven’t heard about Bookshop yet, you are in for a TREAT.

This bookselling ecommerce store has “a mission to financially support, local independent bookstores.” Since more people wanted to buy books online over the last decade, indie bookstores were hurting to compete with the shipping fees and delivery time that Amazon can work from. So bookstores needed an ecommerce site just to handle fulfillment.

That’s where Bookshop comes in. This non-profit organization offers indie booksellers 10% commission on every sale they close by promoting this site (compared to Amazon’s 4.5%) and even matches your 10% to send to indie bookstores across the US (and now UK).

If the writer in your life is also a ravenous reader, you can send them a gift card which allows them to choose whichever book they want to read while also supporting the exact industry they’re trying to break into. Speaking of readers, you can also look into some gifts for book lovers that might interest them.

#41. Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook

This one notebook can be used endlessly as the pages can be wiped away with a cloth. But don’t worry, they won’t be gone forever. Rocketbook lets you easily upload them to internet cloud services like Google Doc, Dropbox, iCloud and more so they’ll never lose their work.

#42. Literary Magazines

When writing gets tiresome, it’s nice to cozy up with a good book. But sometimes, there just isn’t enough time to read a large piece of work. Reading is essential to the writing process, and short stories are the perfect snippet to fill in a small period of free time. And if your writer works on short stories or poems, this is a great way for the writer to get to know potential places to submit. Literary magazines such as Ploughshares, American Short Fiction, and back copies of the beloved Tin House Magazine are great collections that can spark imagination for the writer in your life.

#43. “I Make Stuff Up” T-Shirt

In most professions its frowned upon to simply make things up, but that just isn’t the case when you’re a writer. Writer’s have the flexibility to use their full creativity to create stories that didn’t already exist. Help them to boast about that skill with this neat literary t shirt! And check out the other cool book shirts we’ve found on the internet while you’re at it!

#44. Literary Movies

A literary movie can be a great and cheap gift to get your writer inspired by other writers’ life stories. As long as it has at least a literary theme, I’d say it’s a good gift for a writer. Some of our favorites are Paterson, American Splendor, Capote, I Am Not Your Negro, and The End of The Tour! But it might be a good idea to sneakily ask if they’ve seen it before buying it for them.

#45. Vintage Inspired Laptop Bag

Writers aren’t only writing at home. On the contrary, they’re writing at coffee shops, at libraries, at work, at the park, and almost anywhere else you can think of. And when they go to those places, they have to bring all of their things. A sturdy messenger bag is one of the most useful gifts for writers to help keep their writing supplies well organized and in place as they travel from place to place. They even have some that turn into backpacks!

#46. Books About Writing

If you still want to get your writer a physical book as a gift, you should consider giving them a book about writing. We know it’s difficult for everyone to know which books are the good ones, so we created this list of books about writing and publishing to help you get the exact right book for your writer. Bonus? They’re all small press and self-published books!

#47. Writing Prompt Journal

There are ways to combat writer’s block that don’t involve running away from your desk. One of those ways is for the writer to get out of that frame of mind and focus on something totally different. A writing prompt journal is one of the best gifts for writers that will exercise their creativity while also challenging them to continue to create.

#48. Poets & Writers Magazine Subscription

If you’re looking for one single magazine that will cater specifically to writers, then look no further. Poets & Writers magazine has been around since 1970 and is the nations largest non profit organization serving creative writers currently. In their monthly issues they address topics like how to find an agent, and how to promote your own book. They also have valuable interviews with notable writers, and information on literary grants and writing competitions.

#49. Typewriter Keyboard

There’s something nostalgic about hitting the keys of a typewriter. While an actual typewriter isn’t a very practical gift anymore, a typewriter keyboard can be fun, practical, and creative. It looks cool as a decoration and might inspire the writer in the house to pump out something incredible!

#50. Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Writing takes time (and many many drafts), so staring at a screen while they type for hours on end can be taxing on their vision. Did you know that’s mostly due to the blue light emitted from their computers and mobile devices? Well, a pair of blue light blocking glasses is usually pretty cheap and don’t require a prescription. This is among the cheaper gifts for writers, and the writer in your life’s eyes will thank you later.

Now, you have all the tools to up your gift giving game! Buying any of these gifts for writers will be a wonderful and welcome surprise, so go on out there and get gifting. We’re sure your writer will thank you for it. And if you didn’t find the gift you’re looking for, check out Gifts for Book Lovers!

About the Author

Jaylynn Korrell is a nomadic writer currently based in Pennsylvania. She writes for Independent Book Review and GoodGiftLists.com.

Thank you for reading “50 Gifts for Writers (That They Actually Need)” by Jaylynn Korrell. If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post 50 Gifts for Writers (That They Actually Need) – 2024 appeared first on Independent Book Review.