It’s extra special counting down the days to the holidays with a little surprise each day, and for book lovers, it doesn’t get better than with a bookish advent calendar. Whether it’s unwrapping a new book, a little trinket, or new stationery, these calendars bring together the joy of reading and the excitement of the holiday season.
12 Blind Date with a Book Advent Calendar from Hello Book Club
This calendar includes twelve individually wrapped books labeled with a number from one to twelve, so you reveal one “blind date” book per day. You can choose the genre from romantasy to thrillers to even middle grade, and whether to include “goodies” or just the books. Because it’s a smaller set, it’s ideal for people who want a shorter seasonal countdown or prefer fewer but more substantial surprises.
Holiday Mini Book Ornament Advent Calendars from LitJoy
LitJoy’s mini book ornament calendar is a charming, decorative option that consists of miniature books tucked into numbered boxes. Each “book” can double as an ornament or keepsake for your tree or holiday decor. It’s perfect for someone who may enjoy collectibles or the novelty of it rather than full-size books.
24 Days of Desk Delights from Papier
This one is a stationary lover’s dream. You receive twenty-four drawer-style boxes, each containing a paper or desk accessory — like pens, notepads, journals, etc. The outer box is also a stylish, reusable drawer unit, making it not only a gift box, but also a decorative piece. It’s full of useful, high-quality stationery items rather than just novelty trinkets.
Bibliophile Advent Calendar for Booklovers by Jane Mount
Similar to LitJoy’s mini ornament calendar, Bibliophile’s advent calendar for booklovers offers twenty-four decorative bookish keepsakes. It’s the most affordable option and still serves as a festive countdown for book lovers.
Books Are Magic Advent Calendar: 25 Bookish Gifts for Readers by Weldon Owen
This literary-themed calendar offers twenty-five days of bookish surprises behind each flap — from a mixture of small gifts tied to reading or literature. It aims to make December more magical by combining the excitement of an advent calendar with the delight of bookish flair.
24 Days of Children’s Reading Advent Calendar by The Beautiful Book Company
Designed for our younger readers, this calendar gives one children’s or middle-grade book per day, creating the perfect reading-oriented countdown. It’s ideal for families or as a way to build a holiday season reading ritual with kids.
DIY: Holiday Romances
The holiday season would not be complete if there weren’t a build your own advent calendar thrown in. No matter how long or short the countdown, there’s something truly special about a homemade calendar. To help your search, here’s a few recommendations for the holiday romance lover in your life.
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
This sweet, friends-to-lovers story follows Molly and Andrew as they’re stuck in an airport for the holidays instead of flying home to Ireland. Determined to help Andrew get home in time for his mam’s famous Christmas dinner, she does everything in her power to beat the clock. What she doesn’t know is that the universe has a plan of its own.
The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer
Rachel has a secret that goes against her Jewish heritage: she loves Christmas. When her publisher pushes her to write a Hanukkah romance, her inspiration goes dry. Desperate, she attends the Matzah Ball, a Jewish musical celebration on the last day of Hanukkah, where she’s forced to work with her archenemy — Jacob Greenberg. As Rachel finds the beauty in Hanukkah, she also becomes drawn to Jacob where her enemy may just become something more.
Kiss Her Once for Me: A Novel by Alison Cochrun
When Ellie Oliver gets betrayed overnight and loses her dream job, she becomes desperate for money and adrift. When she gets a job at a coffee shop, her boss, Andrew, proposes a drunken plan: marriage for convenience. They make plans to spend the holidays together and when Andrew introduces her to his sister, Ellie is left shocked to find out it’s the same woman that betrayed her. Now, she has to choose between her fake relationship and something that’s real.
Bookish advent calendars are more than just a countdown — it becomes a small moment each day of wonder in the busy season. For readers of all ages, it’s the perfect way to stay cozy, slow down, and let a little literary surprise brighten each day.
Check out our article on love with these five holiday romance authors.
Check out our Bookstr Team Recommendations bookshelf on Bookshop for the perfect books to gift this season.
