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  • Writer's picturePatti Callahan Henry

BHAM Now: 15 gifts for the book lovers in your life

Updated: Jan 25, 2022


Author Cecilia Wood - December 5, 2020


Looking for the perfect gift for the book lovers on your shopping list? Whether you’re buying a novel for the friend who’s always reading or a coffee mug to cozy up with, we reached out to Birmingham bookstores for their recommendations. Here are 15 gift ideas from bookstores and local authors.


1. Coffee Table Books from Little Professor



Gotta love a book that functions as home decor too.


Photo via Little Professor on Facebook


Is there anything better than a book that’s filled with beautiful words and photos? Grab a coffee table book that will remind your friend of you every time they flip through the pages—or kick their feet up to watch TV.

  • Price: From $55

  • Where to buy: Order options like Beautiful: All American Decorating and The Nature of Home online

  • Website | Facebook | Instagram




2. Down in the Ham Coloring Books


Whether you color inside or outside the lines, you’ll love coloring the Magic City. Photo via Down in the Ham on Facebook

Need a gift for a friend who loves art as much as they enjoy reading—or for the new Birmingham transplant? The Down in the Ham coloring books will top your list with iconic Birmingham illustrations.

  • Price: From $14.99

  • Where to buy: Order from Alabama Goods or Amazon

  • Website | Facebook | Instagram






3. Cheer Candle from Great Bear Wax Co


Is there anything cozier than a great book and candle? Photo via Great Bear Wax Company. The best reading setup always involves burning a comforting candle. Great Bear Wax Company is a Birmingham-based candlemaker with cozy smells ranging from whiskey lemon to Cheer with notes of balsam fir and cedar.

Price: Candles range from $14-$29

Where to buy: Buy online here

Website | Facebook | Instagram





4. “The Favorite Daughter” by Patti Callahan Henry


The Favorite Daughter might be your next favorite book. Photo via Patti Callahan Henry on Facebook


We love spotlighting our local authors, and Patti Callahan Henry is always on our list. Check out any of her 15 novels, from historical fiction works like “Becoming Mrs. Lewis” to southern contemporary novel “The Favorite Daughter”.


Price: $16





5. Piper & Leaf Teas are Great Gifts for Book Lovers



I may give up my coffee-loving ways for this tea subscription box. Photo via Piper & Leaf Tea Co. on Facebook

A book lover’s wish list isn’t complete without a warm mug of a comforting drink. Order a bag of loose leaf tea in a Christmas flavor or send a tea subscription for the gift that keeps on giving. Place your orders before December 14th to make sure they arrive in time.

  • Price: Loose leaf tea starts at $10.99 & subscription boxes start at $12.99 a month

  • Where to buy: Order online here

  • Website | Facebook | Instagram





6. “You Are An Artist” by Sarah Urist Green


We could all use a bit of creativity. Photo via Thank You Books on Facebook


We reached out to Thank You Books for their recommendations for amazing gifts, and they didn’t disappoint. Their list includes “You Are An Artist” by Sarah Urist Green, “World of Wonders” by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and “Ernestine’s Milky Way” by Kerry Madden-Lunsford and Emily Sutton.


No matter who you’re shopping for, these books will be sure to make their day.

  • Price: $25.00

  • Where to buy: Order online from Thank You Bookshop or in-store

  • Website | Facebook | Instagram




7. Bookmarks from Night Owl Paper Goods Will Make Great Gifts for Book Lovers


These bookmarks will make your never-ending to-be-read list more enjoyable. Photo via Night Owl Paper Goods on Facebook


Every book lover knows the importance of a good bookmark… even if they constantly dog-ear pages. Help them keep their place with these locally made wooden bookmarks with adorable prints. Use code BHAMLOCAL for 20% off your order.

  • Price: From $5

  • Where to buy: Shop online here

  • Website | Facebook | Instagram


8. Poetry Anthology from Desert Island Supply Co


Supporting local nonprofits and checking off items for friends on your list? Sign me up. Photo via Desert Island Supply Co. on Facebook


Desert Island Supply Co. is a creative writing and arts center that offers free workshops and classes for Woodlawn students. Every year, they publish anthologies of their writers—grab the most recent collection or browse their other options.


Price: $20-$25

Where to buy: Shop online

Website | Facebook | Instagram




9. 2020 Bestselling Novels from Burdock Book Collective



Make reading a priority in 2021 with a 2020 bestseller. Photo via Burdock Book Collective


One bright spot of 2020? The amazing books to come out this year. Grab a book like “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett for yourself and a friend to read throughout the holidays.


Price: $27

Where to buy: Shop online

Website | Facebook | Instagram









10. LP Membership from Little Professor


Caffeine and good deals? Yes please. Photo via Little Professor Bookshop on Facebook


Are you having trouble finding gifts for the friend you never know what to get? The LP Annual Membership is the perfect option, giving members 40% off of bestsellers and 20% off of all other purchases. If that isn’t enough, the membership also comes with deals on their new coffee cart, so your friends can stay caffeinated and well-read.


Want to give your friends some recommendations along with the membership? We reached out to The Little Professor and some of their favorite offerings include “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse” by Charlie Mackesy and “Breath: the New Science of a Lost Art” by James Nestor.


  • Price: $79/year

  • Where to buy: Buy online




11. Tote Bags from Thank You Books


Thank you Birmingham for reading and thank you Thank You Books for providing the best gift ideas. Photo via Thank You Books


All these books call for a tote bag to bring them along. Pick up a tote bag from Thank You Books and fill it with your recommendation for a gift anyone would love.


  • Price: $12

  • Where to buy: Shop online

  • Website | Facebook | Instagram




12. Alabama Booksmith Gift Card for the Friend Who’s Hard to Shop For


What’s better than a book? A signed book, duh. Photo via Alabama Booksmith on Facebook


Looking for a gift your friend will remember but not sure about their taste in books? Consider a gift card to Alabama Booksmith, a local bookshop where every single book is signed.


  • Where to buy: Order a gift card in any amount online

  • Website | Facebook | Instagram


Every time your recipient sees their favorite author’s autograph, they’ll think of you.




13. Coffee Mugs from Trove Design Shop Make Perfect Gifts for Book Lovers


Perfect gifts for readers and coffee lovers alike. Photo via Trove Design Shop on Facebook

A necessary part of any reader’s life is a cozy coffee mug for their coffee or tea. Support local and make your recipient’s kitchen a lot more beautiful with locally made mugs by Civil Stoneware.

  • Price: $30

  • Where to buy: Buy online

  • Website | Facebook | Instagram





14. “The Elf Series” by Local Author Martha Underwood


Add these books to your children’s nighttime reading routine. Photo via Martha Underwood

Looking for books that children will love? Look no further than “The Elf Series”, new books by local author Martha Underwood all about managing emotions along with the excitement of Christmas.

  • Price: $5-$15

  • Where to buy: Order online here




15. Church Street Gift Card for the Friend Who Loves Coffee and Books



If a breakup cookie isn’t part of your Christmas gift plans, it’s not too late to see the light. Photo via Church Street Coffee and Books on Facebook

Where can you go wrong with a gift from Church Street Coffee and Books? Choose a book you know your friend will love or a gift card so they can pick up an amazing breakup cookie or “Go to Church Street or the Devil Will Get You” t-shirt.

  • Price: Gift cards in any amount

  • Where to buy: Order books for pickup online or visit 81 Church Street, Birmingham, AL 35213

  • Website | Facebook | Instagram


Want your favorite Birmingham business to be featured in guides like this? Send them this form so we can support local and share the amazing small businesses our city has to offer!


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