What to buy the bibliophile in your life

In honour of World Book Day tomorrow, I thought I'd come up with some gift ideas for the book lover in your life.

It sounds counter-intuitive, but one thing a lot of avid readers won't appreciate is actual books.  This might not apply to all bibliophiles, but my friends and family have long ago given up buying books for me, because I read so much that there's a very real risk I'll already have the book they want to give me.  So I'd avoid books as a gift unless you've heard the recipient specifically mention the book you want to buy, or you are completely and totally sure they have not read it and will want to read it.

So, if books are out, what should you buy a bibliophile?

1. The shelves may be full, but there's usually space on the walls for book-related art.  The prints by Claudia Varosio are a bargain at only £12, and would be very welcome in a bookish household. 

2. Anything featuring upcycled books, like this clock.  However, you do need to be careful - some bibliophiles think anything made from actual books is nothing less than a desecration (my mum nearly had a heart attack when I gave her some homemade book bunting a few years ago), so ensure that your chosen gift is made by someone who rescues damaged books.

3. Anything that proclaims their love of books to the world, such as this tote bag, which would be perfect for lugging around their latest haul from the library. 

4. Book-related homewares are always a hit, such as these wonderful pillowcases, perfect for anyone who's ever fallen asleep while reading and woken to found a book stuck to their cheek.

5. I've never met a book fan who doesn't love the Penguin Classics designs, which are available on a variety of products from mugs to notebooks to deck chairs.