Books as Gifts: Yes or No?

[Gravy]

I've always been confused by the prospect of books a gifts.

A gift card to a book store? Yes, absolutely. Specific books that you have listed? Yeah, sort of? I don't know. A special edition (signed, etc.) of a known favorite? 100% yes!

So what are people's thoughts on this?

• Are you for it?
• If not, are there any circumstances where you would be?
• If you are for it, why? Like, do you just believe that anyone gifting you a book would know your tastes enough (and what you already own enough) to know what to get you?

[gali]

I would love to get books as a gift as long as they come with the option to replace them. I used to give books as gifts as well, but not anymore. As you said, it is a matter of taste.

I think a gift card is the best for all concerned, the giver and the receiver.

[Kanika Tandon]

I would prefer a gift card. A book you might think is good might not appeal to me. However if you ask me about my prefrence before purchasing a book then I won't mind as much. Nevertheless, gifts are gifts.

[Asma Aisha Ansari]

A gift card would be best for every book lover and especially for someone who you know reads but you don't know what books they love the most.

A real book could be given to someone you know well, as you'll know about their tastes and gift them accordingly. Think about that time a friend of yours mentioned this book to you which they would like to read. Gift them that book.

[Cwilde13]

That is actually what my family is doing for Christmas this year. We each said what genre of book we wanted and our Secret Santa is going to buy us a book from that genre. I really love getting books as gifts because I have a hard time convincing myself to buy them for me.

[Gravy]

My own experience:

Around the time that I was really getting into reading and forming my (then) preferences, I had someone give me books for my birthday, and they were not anything that I would ever read. This was someone who was supposed to know me, had borrowed books from me.
So, yeah, books, much like music, are too personal to be a good gift outside of some very specific situations, for me.

[dinotoria]

Some of my favorite books have been ones I've received as gifts. I don't think I'd want a book from just anyone, but someone I'm close to who read something and wants to share that experience with me is always something I love.

[Bombasticsideeye]

I would very much appreciate a book for a gift! The thought matters, and I am always interested in knowing why one would pick a particular book for me to read. A gift card is much better though because I can select something I would enjoy.

[VeeBookLover]

This year for Christmas someone insisted on getting me a book, so I gave them a list of a few that I'd like to read. I told them to pick one and give it to me the next time we meet and I'm actually quite excited to see what they chose.

[Adelee Grobler]

Yes! Books are extremely expensive, and I enjoy most books. I hope someone bought me one for Christmas.

Please Santa...

[Blessing O 2]

I would prefer a book as a gift especially if the giver knows the kind of books I like, but nevertheless, I like books as gifts.

[sayoniwrites]

If I know the person well and I know what sort of book they like, then yes. Or gifting a book or book set they really wanted for a long time, then also yes. If not, a gift card is a great option.

[Preye I]

If you know the person and what they would like then yes. But if you don't then stick with a gift card at a book shop or something.

[Samuel Mamo]

If you know the person well, you may give him the specific book you chose.otherwise, the card is a good idea if you are not sure of the prospect's taste.

[F N Chamomile]

I'd love to get books as gifts! But, yeah, books are personal, so I hope at least the giver knows my preference, or at least they won't take it to heart when I start criticizing the book they give. "Sorry, it's the author. Not you."

Similarly, I'd love to give books as gifts, but only to people I know pretty well, so I know how much they love reading and what kind of books they'd like to read. It's very rare, though. I don't think that many people around me love reading. So it would be a gift card for them.