Perfect Book and Bookmark Pairings for the Holidays

Have you ever heard of the Icelandic practice called Jolabokaflod? It’s the tradition of giving books to the people you love on Christmas Eve. After the unwrapping and feasting, everyone curls up with a mug of something warm and tucks into their own story. Sounds pretty nice, right?

For the last few years, we’ve been under a pretty strict holiday budget so I’ve been giving my family and friends used books for the holidays. I love that I can put a lot of thought into who gets each book. If it’s an exceptionally great read, I love that it’ll make the rounds from sister to sister to mother to grandma. In that way, a book is a gift that keeps on giving. There are a lot of reasons to gift used books. Pretty much any title can be found online. Personally, I love the Thriftbooks selection and their rewards program.

The practice of giving books, especially used books, is good for the environment and your wallet. I must admit, watching someone unwrap a single novel can seem a little lackluster. If you want to give your literary gift a little sparkle, pairing that well-thought-out book with a thematic bookmark will make it clear that you care.

In this quickie, I’ll suggest books that make great gifts and the high-quality metal bookmarks I’d pair them with. To be honest, I designed these bookmarks, using public-access artwork from art museums I love: The Met and The Chicago Institute of Art. These bookmarks will be a delightful addition to literary Christmas presents. They could be completed with a fancy packet of hot chocolate to make a simple gift into the ultimate symbol of Nordic coziness.

The God of The Woods

A top pick for book clubs in 2024, this mystery is set in a summer camp for the uber-rich. It’s a great pick for a mother-in-law or a sister. According to reviews, it’s a fast and intriguing read that’s perfect for vacation. Because of the summer vibes, we’d pair this book with this Swimming Boys bookmark.

Braiding Sweetgrass or The Serviceberry

Both of these books are written by Potawatomi author, Robin Wall Kimmerer. This spring, my husband and I planted a tiny grove of serviceberry trees in my backyard, so I’m very excited to gift The Serviceberry to my partner this year. While The Serviceberry is a new release and the public’s reaction to it remains to be seen, Braided Sweetgrass has become iconic since its release in 2013. It’s a must-read for people who care about the modern Native American voice and the ecological world around them. These two books would make a beautiful gift and pair perfectly with a botanical bookmark like this Study of Rocks placeholder.

We Used to Live Here

Cozy horror is an upcoming genre that appeals to readers like me. People who don’t care for gore but love an eerie, spine-chilling tale. Written by Marcus Kliewer, the novel features a queer couple who’s just bought a fixer-upper deep in the woods of the North West. Published in 2024, it instantly became a book forum favorite. This Cabin in the Woods bookmark pairs with this cozy horror novel perfectly and would make a great gift for anyone on your list who loves scary movie nights.

As the holiday season is the perfect time for a ghost story, I recommend gifting a mini-cozy horror collection for someone special on your list. Kliewer’s novel would pair perfectly with a few of Grady Hendrix’s older books. Hendrix’s stories are a little more gorey than most books in the cozy horror genre, however, they all have a sharp sense of humor and loveable characters that keep weak-stomached readers turning pages despite upsetting circumstances. My favorites are “How to Sell a Haunted House” and “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires”. They’re readily available on used books sites for a good price.

The Extinction of Experience: Being Human in a Disembodied World

While it might not be about Roman history or WW1, this book may be the “dad book” of the holiday season. Published in 2024, this book was written by Carlos Whittaker who spent time with monks and an Amish community to reconnect with the world and his inner dialogue. Delight readers by pairing this book with a bookmark featuring The Harvesters, a painting that celebrates living in the moment with a sense of community.

Are you looking forward to Christmas? Do you have different books in mind? Tell me what books you’re sharing with the nearest and dearest on your list. Check out my Etsy store where you’ll find more literary and fine-art-inspired bookmarks and gifts.