Gifts for book lovers in Canada

Let them choose

Buying a specific novel for a serious reader is a guess, and they have often read it already. A gift card from an independent shop takes the guess away. TYPE Books in Toronto has a strong fiction, art and kids section; the card lands in your inbox, so forward it. The Word in Montreal sells used books, and one card spends online or in the shop but not across both.

If you do want a physical book, buy an edition rather than a title. A Penguin Clothbound Classic of a book they already love is safer than a new release they may own.

E-readers in Canada

Kobo readers borrow ebooks straight from public libraries, which suits a heavy reader on a budget. The Clara BW is the plain choice for novels. The Libra Colour adds colour for comics and cookbooks and takes a stylus, sold separately.

Ask before you buy: Kobo devices do not read Kindle-store books. Someone with a big Kindle library would be starting over.

Smaller gifts

For a modest budget, the Little Book of Toronto Maple Leafs Stories is a cheap stocking gift for a fan who reads in short bursts. An Audible credit suits a commuter. The Book Nook puzzle is for a reader who does jigsaws between books, and the Moleskine journal suits a book-club regular who wants to remember what they thought.

For young readers, Lightfall starts a good graphic novel series. The Yoto Silverwing pack only works with a Yoto player or the app, so check before buying.

Save the Children's Books in Canada gift funds books for children in Canadian communities where they are scarce. It suits a teacher or a reader with no shelf space left.

Timing

Gift cards, Audible and Storyworth arrive by email, so they work on the day. Physical books from Indigo and the indie shops travel by Canada Post or courier, which slows down in December. Order paper books by early December if they need to arrive before the holidays.

Questions people ask

Is a Kobo a good gift for a Canadian reader?

Yes, for most readers. Kobo devices borrow ebooks from Canadian public libraries directly, which saves a heavy reader a lot of money. The one exception is someone with a large Kindle library, since Kobo cannot read Kindle-store books. For them, a bookshop gift card or an Audible credit is the safer choice.