A book club is really two treats in one: the books, and the excuse to get people in a room together. So the best book club gifts split the same way: something for the host who keeps everyone fed and on schedule, something for the members who show up ready to argue about the ending, and something for the discussion itself. Whether you're thanking a host, welcoming a new member, or shopping for the whole group, these 14 book club gifts cover every budget.

Shopping for one reader rather than the group? Our gifts for book lovers hub has guides built around individual readers.

Quick Picks

Best overall: a Book of the Month gift membership — a new book to look forward to every month.
Best under $20: personalized bookmarks for the whole group.
Best for the host: a Barefoot Dreams throw for the reading chair.
Best for the discussion: a deck of book club conversation cards.
Can't decide: a PerfectGift — you pick a bookstore brand, they keep it or swap it.

For the host

1. Book of the Month Gift Membership

The gift that keeps arriving. A Book of the Month membership sends a hardcover of the recipient's choosing from a curated shortlist every month — perfect for the host who's always hunting for the group's next pick. Gift memberships start around $50 for three months.

What to look for in a book subscription gift:

Choice vs. surprise: Book of the Month lets the member pick from a monthly shortlist rather than mailing a mystery — better odds they'll actually want it.
Skip-friendly: members can skip any month they're not feeling and won't be charged, which suits a picky reader.
Gift vs. auto-renew: a prepaid gift membership doesn't roll into a paid subscription, so there's no surprise charge hitting your card later — the detail most gift-givers don't check.
Trusted names: Book of the Month (primary), plus Barnes & Noble for straight bookstore credit.

2. A Barefoot Dreams Throw

Book club happens in the comfiest chair in the house. A Barefoot Dreams CozyChic throw is the kind of soft, heavy blanket the host would never splurge on for themselves but will use every meeting. Around $150+. Image courtesy of Barefoot Dreams.

What to look for in a throw blanket:

Throw vs. blanket size: a throw (about 54×72") is right for a reading chair or couch; a bed blanket is overkill for the job.
Material: plush microfiber (like CozyChic) is warm and machine-washable; wool and cotton are cooler and more breathable.
Care: confirm it's machine-washable — a gift that has to be dry-cleaned gets used half as often.
Trusted names: Barefoot Dreams (primary), plus Pendleton (wool) for a classic option.

3. A Host Gift Box or Charcuterie Board

No book club runs on books alone. A charcuterie board or a nice host gift box from Uncommon Goods is a gracious thank-you for whoever keeps the snacks (and the wine) coming. Around $35–75.

For the members

4. A Reading Journal

The clubs that go the distance keep a running log of what they've read and what everyone thought. A Leuchtturm1917 journal gives a member a beautiful place to track picks, ratings, and the lines worth remembering. Around $20–25. Image courtesy of Leuchtturm1917.

5. Personalized Bookmarks

Small, useful, and easy to do for the whole group — personalized bookmarks on Etsy can carry the club's name or each member's initials. Around $8–20. One tip worth knowing: order early, since Etsy makers often need a week or two for custom work.

6. Field Notes Memo Books

For the member who annotates everything, a three-pack of Field Notes memo books is the perfect place to jot discussion notes and favorite passages before the meeting. Around $13 for three. Image courtesy of Field Notes.

7. A Book Tote

Every member needs a way to haul the month's pick (plus a snack to share). A sturdy, bookish tote from Uncommon Goods does the job and doubles as a library bag. Around $20–40. Image courtesy of Uncommon Goods.

For the discussion

8. Book Club Conversation Cards

The awkward silence at a new book club is real, and a deck of ready-made discussion questions is the fix nobody thinks to buy. Uncommon Goods carries conversation-starter decks that keep the talk going past "so, did you like it?" Around $15–25.

9. A Literary Trivia Game

Keep the night going after the discussion winds down. A book-themed trivia game or literary puzzle from Uncommon Goods turns a book club into a hangout — a fun, shareable gift for a group that likes each other as much as they like the books. Around $20–35.

10. A "But First, Books" Mug Set

A small, shareable gift for the group — matching mugs or coasters from independent makers on Etsy turn coffee-and-books into a little ritual. Around $15–30. Image courtesy of Etsy.

When you want them to choose

11. A PerfectGift Barnes & Noble Gift Card

Readers are particular, so let them choose. Here's the part worth knowing: a Barnes & Noble card through PerfectGift is technically a PerfectGift that simply starts as Barnes & Noble — ideal for books and bookish gifts, but the recipient is never locked in. Send it as a personalized digital card in seconds or ship a physical one, and they can spend it at the store, swap it to another brand, activate it to a Visa, send it to their bank through Zelle, or regift it.

12. A PerfectGift (the gift that adapts)

A book club is a room full of different readers: the thriller devotee, the literary-fiction holdout, the one who only does audiobooks. A PerfectGift sidesteps the guesswork — you send one, and each person decides how to use it, whether that's keeping the brand you chose, switching to another, or taking the balance. Want it to feel less like a card? Add a handwritten note (Good), a voice message (Better), or a short video (Best) to go with it.

13. A Custom Visa Gift Card

If you want zero limits, a custom Visa gift card spends anywhere Visa does — handy when a book club runs on equal parts novels, snacks, and wine. Drop a photo and a note on the front so it reads as a gift, not a gift card.

14. A Group Gift for the Whole Club

Chipping in as a group? A larger gift — a Book of the Month group membership or a stack of the same title so everyone reads together — makes a great send-off for a departing member or a milestone meeting.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good gift for a book club? For the group, a set of matching bookmarks, a deck of conversation cards, or a Book of the Month membership everyone can enjoy. For the host, a cozy throw or a charcuterie board. If you're not sure, a Barnes & Noble gift card or a PerfectGift lets people choose exactly what they want.

What do you get a book club host? Something that makes hosting easier or cozier: a Barefoot Dreams throw for the reading chair, a charcuterie board for the snack table, or a Book of the Month membership to help them find the group's next pick. A gift card to a bookstore is always welcome too.

What are good book club gifts under $20? Personalized bookmarks, a three-pack of Field Notes, a reading journal, a set of conversation cards, or a bookish mug. Small, shareable, and genuinely used.

What's a good gift for someone joining a book club? A reading journal to track picks, a good book tote, a set of bookmarks, and a gift card so they can buy the first month's book. Welcoming and practical.

Are gift cards a good book club gift? Yes — members are particular about editions and formats, so a gift card lets them pick the exact book (hardcover, paperback, or audio). A Barnes & Noble card through PerfectGift can be personalized, sent instantly, and even swapped for another brand or activated to a Visa.

What's a good group gift for a book club? Pool funds for something bigger: a Book of the Month group membership, a stack of the same title so everyone reads together, or a nice send-off gift for a member who's moving away.

The best book club gift fits how the club actually works — a little comfort for the host, a little ritual for the members, and something to keep the conversation going. When in doubt, let them choose: send a Barnes & Noble gift, reach for a PerfectGift so they keep or swap it, or a custom Visa gift card that works anywhere. For more, browse our gifts for book lovers guides.