Help me think of gifts for a bookish 17-year-old girl

[Manro]

I’ve been ill the last couple of weeks and not able to get out and shop for 17-year-old DD‘s Christmas presents. Starting to panic now as I only have a couple of things. She’s quite difficult to buy for - if you gave her money she would buy books, then more books, and more books. She’s really into Victorian literature, plus the Classics, as in ancient Greeks and Romans, particularly Pliny the younger. I am absolutely stuck! She’s definitely not into make up or anything like that, but nor is she tomboyish either. She’s absolutely lovely though and a completely delight, and I’m sure will be thrilled with anything she gets but I’m really stuck.

When she was younger, I would rely on lots of crafts and arty type stuff, but that sort of thing has taken a backseat in recent years.

I’m still not well, so really it needs to be things that can be bought online. All suggestions welcome, up to a budget of about £200 in total.

I was too. It's a joy having my DD enjoy books too. My youngest teen ds is a big reader as well. They both know that I can't say "no" to books either. We have a lovely indie bookshop with an excellent café which can get very expensive by then time we've all had drinks and cake and then browsed the shelves!

A kindle was my first thought.

Book subscription.

Tickets to Hays book festival, or local literary festival.

Nice bookmark.

cross stitch bookmark kit

So this book nook thing - it’s like a tiny dolls’ house library in a box? (I’ve googled and seen pictures.)

I don’t get it.

Guess it’s me, not all of you …

Small Greek/Roman antique object? Or something Victorian? To have something that’s not a book. I was given a small amphora by my secondary school boyfriend at the same age (so can’t have cost that much)

I bought dd a Hatchetts subscription once. You can choose between fictioon or non fiction or a mix. You contact them and tell them your likes and dislikes then they send you one book per month.

A beautiful fountain pen?

I got my younger sister a book nook for her birthday. She absolutely loved it.

Look at Present Indicative for cool bookish objects
https://www.presentindicative.com/collections/literature

Agree with Mr B's Emporium. The books are beautifully wrapped and alwsys hit the spot

Honestly, a thoughtful stack of books will never fail.

A book inspired candle

Clever Fox reading journal

How about a hand made voucher for a book shopping trip to the big Foyles on Charing Cross Rd? (If you're near enough)

Or as she loves older books, a trip to Cecil Court to shop for treasures

Connected to either of those, a copy of 84 Charing Cross Rd if she hasn't read it.

Bookmarks, especially ones connected to her special interests.

Don't get a Kindle unless she's asked for one. If she loves physical books I think it would be a poor choice.

Speaking as the biggest book nerd I know, just get her books.

With respect I do not want book themed items, it’s the reading I enjoy. The more the merrier! The less you spend on things that aren’t actual books the more you can spend on books. Yay!

And no it is not a ‘boring’ gift. I don’t know if it’s just my family because they don’t read that find buying people books a ‘boring’ option.

My DD loves all things greek myths and has a Natalie Haynes book on her list! Do you know if there a way to access her recommendations without facebook?

@Manro

this smells divine

Mr Bs Emporium in Bath is brilliant brought a subscription for husbands birthday. The shop is lovely too - the book spa is meant to be good

If you are looking for any extra top-up gifts, Bookishly do some fun packs of bookmarks with quotes on them https://www.bookishly.co.uk/products/bookmark-bundle-pack-of-five-ten-or-35?variant=29700605116488

Folio society do gift tokens - if they publish any titles she loves enough to want an extra fancy edition?

Obsession is a really really good, Victorian themed board game. A couple of notches of complexity above Monopoly and obviously will require others to join in with her, but it’s absolutely charming and really highly rated for gameplay.

https://www.board-game.co.uk/product/obsession-board-game-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj6WzactPGmquB2RJCDPQw-_dmpkNVtFR41tkG1VMjWPiuVfK5

I was going to suggest a reading subscription from Mr B’s . Even better if you live near are their book ‘spas’ . Pure indulgence for a book lover.

Someone else had bought their mum a book for every month of the year that they then both read and chat about.
Could you do that but also an accompaniment. So the book for January comes with hot chocolate or coffee, the one for July comes with a new summer hat/sunglasses or picnic blanket. April comes with a plant that flowers in April
Terrible ideas for the accompanying gift but you get the gist. Something that makes reading even nicer.

Does she want to write?something writery if so.

A personalised book embosser

I want to buy everything on this thread!

If she’s at all crafty then these Book Nook kits are lovely, I stand in front of the shelf in a store in town completely incapable of deciding which one K want to make and put on my book shelf

https://www.official-booknook.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21941504076&gbraid=0AAAAA-kAxp9H0WfdiJnlTOXfzT0zBz7Y_&gclid=Cj0KCQiAo4TKBhDRARIsAGW29bcAblroAHYwtnOFce9xzps-xsGs2LNTLMoYaK3ztK1nhfmcMCU2l0kaApWTEALw_wcB

You’ll probably enjoy reading the thread, @InfoSecInTheCity …

I was also going to suggest bookends.
I saw a fabulous tote bag on social media that I considered for a bookish friend,. but seems a bit pricey for what it is, perhaps there are cheaper versions.
But then I was thinking that as she spends all her money on books, maybe something different. Perhaps cinema or restaurant vouchers she could spend going out with friends?