Ready...set...shop!

This week, with Friday being the U.S.'s Black Friday, I will be offering up suggested alternatives to well know authors with some help from other book lovers. I'm hoping you can expose some of your book-loving friends and family to authors they may not readily see in Costco, Target or on the NYT Bestseller list.

Today, however, I thought I'd kick off the week with a post about other types of gifts you could consider for your book lovers. If you have a book lover like me who really doesn't need someone to buy her more books...these ideas may come in handy! Or maybe you have a great book for a gift but want some items to include with it. My family can attest to the fact that I love to put together themed gifts. It's a sickness, I think. Anyway, let's take a look at some ideas.

Think these are just for libraries? Nope, you can get Read posters from the ALA, too. I had several when I was teaching that hung in my classroom.

I have an older version of this mug that I got years ago. It remains my favorite. The poem is just timeless.

This is a lovely idea for someone who has an especially favorite line from a book. I'd have trouble deciding what I wanted on mine, I think.

I'm going to try my hand at making this (thanks Holly), but if you just want to buy one, here's a link to do so.

More for the DIYers out there. Martha Stewart (no jokes please) has some good ideas here. I'm especially fond of the Linen Dust Shields and the waterproof book covers. The stamping on the page edges nearly gave me a heart attack, though. Come on Martha, what were you thinking there?

And finally, I'm going to mention for the ereader in your life...touch screen gloves. These will come in handy for reading on the bus or the subway. Or if you have a reader like me, who tries like the dickens to keep the furnace turned down all winter, they might even use them indoors!

You can also search websites like Zazzle and Cafe Press where you can find notecards, t-shirts, hats, iPhone covers, laptop skins, mugs, umbrellas, magnets, buttons, posters and more.

For more unique types of book gifts you can check out etsy.com. I'm rather fond of this Wizard of Oz bookmark or this concrete book end. 

But don't forget to take a look at your indie bookstores as well. Some of my favorites:

Murder by the Book (Houston) - they have mugs, water bottles, t-shirts and bags, as well as a great selection of autographed books.

Mystery Lovers Bookshop (Pittsburgh) - puzzles, games, teas, calendars, mugs, and more!

The Strand (New York) - Just walking into this store is overwhelming. There isn't much they don't have!

O.k. now your turn. What are some other suggestions for the book lover on your list who doesn't need you to buy them a book? And check back throughout this week for suggestions of other authors you can suggest for your Robert B. Parker fans or your Janet Evanovich fans or even for your younger readers. Stay tuned!