7 Books to Buy the Bookworms in Your Life

We all have a bookaholic in our life, whether it’s your partner, BFF, family member or that one coworker who always has got their nose in a novel. Finding the perfect gifts for the book lovers in your life feels like an adventure in itself. With endless genres, gripping storylines and captivating characters to choose from, books are a gift that never goes out of style. Whether you’re shopping for a mystery aficionado, a fantasy fanatic or someone who loves a heartfelt memoir, I’ve curated a list of must-haves books that will delight the bookworms in your life. Submerge yourself into these book recommendations and find the story that will stay with them long after the last page.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline 

Looking for a book that blends heart-pounding adventure, rich nostalgia and thought provoking themes? This book ticks all those boxes. 

Set in a bleak 2044, Ready Player One introduces you to a world where humanity escapes its struggles by immersing itself in the OASIS, a vast virtual reality universe. When James Halliday, the creator of the OASIS, dies, he leaves behind the ultimate challenge - a quest to find an easter egg hidden within the virtual world. And the rewards? To control the entire virtual universe and Halliday’s fortune. 

Books have the power to transport its readers to other worlds and this book takes this to a whole new level with its immersive storytelling. Whether they’re a sci-fi enthusiast, a gamer or simply someone who loves an underdog story, this book offers something for any book lover.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

This is a quirky love story you never knew you needed and it’s the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates wit, heart, and a bit of unexpected charm.

This clever, funny and touching novel centres on Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially inept genetics professor whose life operates with clockwork precision - until love disrupts his carefully curated existence. Relationships have always been a puzzle he can not solve, until he decides to approach the problem scientifically. Enter the ‘Wife Project.’ Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver. Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. 

Why is this the perfect gift for those book lovers in your life? This book is more than just a romantic comedy, it’s a story about self-discovery, acceptance and the unpredictable nature of love. Whether you’re looking for a lighthearted read or a deeper exploration of what it means to connect with others, The Rosie Project delivers on every front.

The Grace Year by Kim Leggett

Looking for the perfect gift for book lovers? Not only does it offer a compelling mix of gripping storytelling, deep themes, and thought-provoking commentary but it’s a mirror reflecting the struggles and triumphs of our time, making it a vital and thought-provoking read for today’s world.

No one talks about the Grace year, it is forbidden. This dystopian novel is set in a patriarchal society where girls are sent away for their "grace year" at age sixteen to purge themselves of their so-called dangerous magic before returning to be wives or labourers. But not all of them will make it home alive. 

If you're shopping for someone who loves dystopian tales, feminist themes, or simply well-written, thought-provoking fiction, then this is the perfect novel that will feel powerful, impactful and unforgettable. 

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Grab the tissues you bookworms and get ready for this one. This book is a must-buy for those who crave emotionally profound and thought-provoking stories.

This story follows four classmates from a small Massachusetts college as they move to New York to make their way. Jude who is a brilliant but enigmatic man with a harrowing past marked by unimaginable abuse and suffering. As Jude's relationships deepen, his friends begin to uncover the extent of his pain and the enduring scars he carries. The novel examines themes of loyalty, love, and the enduring impact of trauma, painting an unflinching yet tender portrait of the human condition.

Whilst this book is both devastating and emotional, it’s also beautiful, offering a richly detailed narrative that challenges readers to confront the fragility and strength of the human spirit. I won’t lie, it isn’t for the faint hearted but it’s definitely a novel that has stayed with me long after I turned the final page. 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

If you haven’t heard of this book, then you’ve been living under a rock. Now this is a dream come true for bookworms who crave gripping fantasy, heart-pounding romance, and unforgettable characters. 

Violet Sorrengail expected a quieter life surrounded by books until she was forced onto the world’s deadliest training ground. Now she must fight to join the army’s elite: dragon riders. But dragons don’t choose fragile riders, they incinerate them and when your body breaks as easily as Violet’s does - death is only a heartbeat away. 

You’re looking for a gift for that bookworm in your life that has it all - dragons, deadly trials, political intrigue, and an electric enemies-to-lovers dynamic, then look no further! This will have readers hooked from the first page.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Looking for the perfect blend of laughter, heart, and relatable characters? This book definitely delivers. 

This story follows Daphne and Miles, who are in a less-than-ideal situation. See, it’s kind of a funny story: Daphne’s fiancé, Peter, left her weeks before their wedding for his best friend, who he “swore was nothing more than a friend.” That friend? None other than Miles’s girlfriend, Petra. And not only that but they’re also moving in together — oh, and they’re engaged! Lucky for Daphne, this left a room open at Miles’s apartment. So, now she’s living with her ex-fiancé’s fiancé’s ex-boyfriend. Say that three times fast. But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right? 

This book makes an excellent gift for a book lover because it masterfully blends humour with deeper emotional layers, offering both entertainment and substance.

Kill For Me, Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh

If you think you've read every twist and turn a thriller has to offer, this book will prove you wrong. Cavanagh serves up a deliciously dark tale where trust is as deadly as betrayal, and survival might just cost you everything.

One dark evening on New York City’s Upper West Side, two strangers meet by chance. Over drinks, Amanda and Wendy realize they have much in common, especially loneliness and an intense desire for revenge against the men who destroyed their families. As they talk into the night, they come up with the perfect if you kill for me, I’ll kill for you. 

This tense thriller explores themes of justice, betrayal, and the dark side of human nature, all while keeping you on the edge of your seat.

For those bookworms in your life that crave pulse-pounding twists and dark exploration of justice and revenge, this novel is sure to keep them hooked from start to finish.

‍

No matter who you’re shopping for, books are gifts that leave a lasting impression, offering countless hours of joy, adventure, and connection. With these seven thoughtful picks, you’re sure to find the perfect story to make the bookworm in your life feel extra special this season!

If you want more book recommendations then check out the links below for even more great reads.