Don't you think that giving a book to a bibliophile is stressful? What if he already has this book? What is she hates this author? What if he just goes halfway through the book and decides to re-gift the book? Aaarrgh... Questions, questions...
These are precisely my thoughts when a close bibliophile friend celebrated his birthday last Monday and I had to give him a gift. Of course it's a no-brainer that I had to give him a book. The question is, which one? I had an idea to give him a classy bookmark but I can't find any of the more expensive ones. So, I thought that my gift would really have to be a book.
I know that this person loves his thrillers and, fortunately, there are lots of these in bookstores. But do I choose the Michael Connelly over the Harlan Corben and the Ian Rankin? One of the tips people offer when buying gifts is to think of a thing that you would want to have yourself. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the mood for some Kellerman, Grisham, Evanovich, Robinson, et al. In the end, I settled for a Georges Simenon, crossing my fingers that he hasn't read this one yet.
When I receive books that are not to my taste or I already own copies of, they either go to the re-gift pile or at the back of the bookshelf. The re-gift items are a blessing. Whenever I fail to buy any gift or feel obligated to give one to a person I barely even know, I just choose randomly from the pile. I just make sure that there are no personal inscriptions inside the book. (Tip: If you don't want the books you give to your friends to be re-gifted, write something personal on the front cover, on page 25, and on the last page.)
Bibliophiles are the trickiest people to give books to, don't you think?
16 comments:
It is so hard to buy a book for someone so what I usually tend to do is get a really nice bookmark and a gift card this way it allows the receiver to buy what they like.
Its happened a few times where they either had the book or they read it already.
That's exactly what I'm afraid of, Cindy! Very, very stressful.
There is nothing I would love more than to receive a pile of books as a gift, but friends and family are afraid of choosing because I have so many. I don't blame them.
When choosing a book as a gift sometimes the newest book out there is helpful because they won't have it yet, or a great new series or book you've discovered on the blogs.
Personally, I don't inscribe books because if they don't like them I WANT them to regift. I don't want the book to go to waste!
Great post. Now you've made me want to go out and buy a book for myself :)
I always buy them book vouchers as I know thea personally I like to choose my own books.
@Stacy: Thanks.
@Viviene: The book vouchers are a great idea!
Peter, I cannot agree more with your post. I had the same problem with my niece this past weekend when I was trying to buy her birthday present since she loves to read as well. She's into Twilight/Vampire books but I had no idea which ones she has because she has so many! In the end I just had to give her money so she can buy whatever she wanted.
Now as for my book-loving friends, I just give them a bookmark or a gift card from their favorite bookstore.
If a friend or family member asks me what I want for a birthday/Christmas present, (and naturally, I tell them books) I just give them my book wish list. It saves them plenty of time. Of course, it takes out the surprise, but at least I won't get an unpleasant surprise. :)
You are so right! My comments echo your ideas and that of other commenters. I am always worried that the bibliophile will already have the book, or not want to read the one I chose! Even if a list is provided, there's always the chance that someone else may give them the same book! Maybe it is better to stick to book-related gifts--bookmarks, gift cards, or something else other than books.
I second the voucher suggestion. My family knows I love books but they'd have a hard time choosing the right book for me. Although honestly, I'd take any kind of book they'd give me. What do they say? It's the thought that counts. Hehe!
I usually gift friends with books when I read one and think immediately, "(Insert name here) would like this!". Come their birthday or Christmas, I casually ask if they've read this or that title yet. When they express interest in one, that's the one I give :)
I try to do a little detective work before I buy someone a book:
1. If they're on LibraryThing, I can browse their library for their favorite authors and what titles they have.
2. Some people have their wishlist on Amazon and I choose something from there.
3. Hints from their blog.
If none of that works, I send a gift card and let them choose. That's how I prefer gifts to me.
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Thankfully the only person that gives me books is my lolo who says "when you're done with it, donate it to the library." I almost exclusively give books out but none to bibliophiles and people typically read the books I give them. I have, though, regifted on those few occasions I've received a gift I'd already read.
I have two awards for you here
Have to agree that it's hard to buy for bibliophiles, especially with the big bookstores new, strict return/exchange policies. Unless there's a certain title on their wishlist that I'm sure they haven't gotten yet, I usually stick with bookmarks, blank journals, and a gift card. And after a few years of getting duplicate books as gifts, I now have separate wishlists for everyone who asks. Books make great gifts, but cause so much pressure! *L*
I love the gift of books - they are my favorite! It is like someone caring enough to share a deep treasure with you - an adventure. I keep a wish list on a tab page on my blog... anyone who knows me can click there to find the books I covet most...
That said.... buying a book for someone else can be exactly what you said - PAINFUL if you do not know what they have read or what they have waiting to be read...
My husband always complains that he can't even buy a book for me!
LOL at the personal inscription bit!
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