Gifts for people who loved the movie (or show) but are lying about having read the book

“Oh my goodness! I can’t wait to see [insert movie or show title.] I loved the book.” 

Did you love the book, Stephanie? Did you…. really?

Nothing compares to the awkward back-and-forth that comes with discussing a book one member of the conversation is pretending to have read. That person will often confuse character names, make near-universal “observations” about theme, and regularly reference the film or TV show the book inspired. It’s exhausting.

There’s nothing wrong with someone wanting to appear well-read, I suppose. But if you’re looking to gently better your loved one’s honesty and literary prowess (without having a book report style confrontation), gift giving can be the perfect nudge towards the library. 

These 12 gift ideas will help you lovingly say “Hey! Remember books?” to your favorite little liar.

Image: once upon a book club

If you deliver anything directly to my door, I’ll find a way to use it. Chinese food, Sephora samples, old copies of Time Magazine—it will all find a place within my nest.  

Presumably, this could also be true of your loved one. If you simply begin shipping them large quantities of books, they’ll have to read them… right? Book subscription services are a fun, customizable way to help your friend or family member build a home library. (Plus a lot of them come with non-book add-ons.)

Price: Varies, $34.99 per month for Once Upon a Book Club

Image: etsy / musthavegift

George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series is a tough read for anyone. The lore is long, detailed, and complex. (Not to mention regularly unnecessary.) 

That being said, any true fan of Game of Thrones has to at least attempt a read through. Of course, if you’re dealing with a big GoT lover they already own a few of the books. But those books have remained unopened in that corner of their bedroom for a while…

These cute bookmarks beg to be paired with their book of origin. Slide one of these into a card and (hopefully) get your loved one back on the Westeros wagon. A few months (or years) later, you’ll finally be able to discuss Catelyn Stark’s ghost properly.

Price: $9.90 on Etsy

I’ll admit it. In 4th grade, I said I had read the Harry Potter books and I had not. (Cut me some slack. Reading was time-consuming and I had so many Sims to murder back then!)

By middle school, I had caught up on the wizarding series and remained a loyal fan until its end. However, I have personal knowledge of peers of mine who shall remain unnamed that have still not read the Harry Potter books.

Now, you don’t have to point blank accuse someone of lying about having read the series. You can simply get them this lavish keepsake box set and pressure them into a “re-read.” It’s a big commitment, but you’re doing them a favor.

Price: $16.95 on the Harry Potter Shop

Image: etsy / sweetsequels

Etsy: it’s a gift giver’s field of dreams. Artist “SweetSequels” makes stunning quilts covered with classic book covers. The best part? You can customize your order with six selections from this list. It has everything from Stephen King to The Velveteen Rabbit. 

Perfect for wrapping around the shoulders of someone caught up in a page turner—or (more likely) nine hours deep in a Netflix binge. Comfy is comfy! 

Price: $85.00+ on Etsy store SweetSequels

I am an active proponent of audiobooks. I’m constantly listening to books on my commute, at the gym, while trapped in a ravine—wherever! Giving an Audible membership as a gift is a great way to encourage your loved one to read more without actually making them read anything. Consider it the gateway to a literary life. 

Price: $15 per month on Amazon

Most lovers of AMC’s The Walking Dead haven’t done a deep dive on the comic book series its based on. But, they could certainly learn to appreciate it by slowly filling in this gruesome coloring book. Maybe while watching the new season?

Every page was crafted by series’ creators Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard, so you know it’s a bonafide Walker original.

Price: $9.67 on Amazon

Going on a date to the films? You may not have had time to read the book… but why not just bring the whole library with you? 

This adorable dress from ModCloth screams, “Books! I’ve heard of ’em!” You can give your literature averse loved one this beautiful frock and then say something like, “That clutch looks lovely, but wouldn’t you rather keep your credit cards in this copy of Dante’s Inferno?” Just like that, they’ll be reading up a storm. 

Plus, it’s available in inclusive sizing. What’s not to love?

Price: $89.00 on ModCloth

Image: society6 / eniko ujj

It’s practically a right of passage for 2018 TV lovers to lie about having read Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Everybody wants to be the kind of person who was aware of the dystopian classic before it hit Hulu. But, sadly, most of us are not. 

Luckily, all is not lost! You can still pay homage to the great Ms. Atwood with an adorable mug from artist Eniko Ujj on Society6. One side shows Atwood. The other side reads, “We still think of a powerful man as a born leader and a powerful woman as an anomaly.” Praise be.

Price: $15.99 on Society6

This is a book about films… which doesn’t really fix the whole lying about having read the book the movie was based on problem. But, it’s just such a good collection of films it has to be included in any decent movie-related gift list. 

A film reference book created by editor Steven Jay Schneider, 1001 Films You Must See Before You Die includes (you guessed it) 1001 film titles along with their synopses, select critiques, and rare photographs. The book has been through seven editions, each accounting for excellent new films as they are released. While we doubt your loved one will ever read through this whole book, they can certainly use it for their next hundred or so movie nights.

(Youtuber Jonathan Keogh created the above supercut using Schneider’s book as inspiration. It’s amazing.)

Price: $30.93 on Amazon 

Films, books, TV shows, podcasts, condescending speeches from distant relatives: they all go great with liquor! 

Tim Federle’s cocktail recipe books Gone with the Gin and Tequila Mockingbird take famous film and literary works as inspiration for delicious cocktails. (I can attest to the taste. I’ve made way more of them than I’ll be admitting to online.) 

Either of these books are the perfect ode to enjoying whatever you consume: great American classics, summer blockbusters, bourbon… whatever! 

Price: $8.47 for Gone with the Gin on Amazon

Price: $11.96 for Tequila Mockingbird on Amazon

Image: icanvas / chungkong

These artistic takes on classic movie posters are stunning. Some available on canvas and others on metal, each print is graphic and simplistic. 

To urge your friend to actually read their “favorite book,” gift them a poster for the movie version. Their fraud will (beautifully) glare back at them each day until they submit and finally pick up a copy of Moby Dick, The Great Gatsby, what have you.

Price: Varies, Great Gatsby print by Chungkong available starting at $23.99 on iCanvas

Listen. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your bold-faced liar of a friend is just support them. You may never get them to actually read the book. But, at least you can keep their dishonest butt fashionable. 

This shirt is equal parts show-offy and aggressive. It (figuratively) says, “Keep your Marvel universe! I’m going to pretend read Pride and Prejudice again.” And that’s totally okay. 

Because while they may have fake read that book, you real love them. That’s friendship!

Price: $23.99 on LookHUMAN