Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2026: Thoughtful Books to Pair with a National Book Token
On Valentine's Day, gifts should feel personal – and gift cards don't always get the credit they deserve. After all, a National Book Token gives your loved one the joy of exploring a bookshop to choose the books they want to read: for a book lover, it doesn't get more thoughtful than that.
But a book token doesn't have to be given on its own. Pair it with a carefully chosen book and it becomes something even more special: a story you picked just for them, alongside an invitation to choose another they'll love.
For a Valentine's gift that shows your favourite book lover just how well you know them, our gift guide recommends brilliant books for every kind of reader – each one perfect for wrapping together with a National Book Token, for a present that is meaningful and romantic.
The best of both worlds: A book you chose, and the freedom to choose more with a National Book Token.
Use the guide below to find a book that suits them best – each one makes a great gift when paired with one of our gorgeous gift card designs.
If they're fascinated by space and the universe…
Apollo Remastered by Andy Saunders
In a frozen vault in Houston sits the original NASA photographic film of the Apollo missions. For half a century, almost every image of the Moon landings publicly available was produced from a lower-quality copy of these frozen originals. Over the last few years, image restorer Andy Saunders has been working hard to create the highest quality Apollo photographs ever produced.
This is the definitive record of the Apollo missions and a mesmerizing, high definition journey into the unknown.
They may also like: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid; Time: 10 Things You Should Know by Colin Stuart.
If they're inspired by art and creativity…
Alison by Lizzy Stewart
This stunning and emotional graphic novel tells the story of Alison, newly married, barely twenty, and struggling to find her place in the world. A chance encounter with an older artist upturns her life and she forsakes convention and her working-class Dorset roots for the thrumming art scene of London in the late seventies. As the thrill of bohemian romance leads inevitably to disappointment, Alison begins to find her own path – through art, friendship and love.
They may also like: The Artist by Lucy Steeds; How To Art by Kate Bryan and illustrated by David Shrigley.
If they love book-to-screen adaptations…
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
The brilliant adaptation of this bestselling novel has received 11 BAFTAs nominations and 8 Oscar nominations. Drawing on Maggie O'Farrell’s long-term fascination with the little-known story behind Shakespeare's most enigmatic play, Hamnet is a luminous portrait of a marriage, at its heart the loss of a beloved child.
They may also like: The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden; H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald.
If they're already counting down to the next Olympics…
Fast Girls: A Novel of the 1936 Women’s Olympic Team by Elise Hooper
Elise Hooper explores the gripping, real life history of pioneering women athletes, members of the first integrated women’s Olympic team, and their journeys to the 1936 summer games in Berlin, Nazi Germany.
They may also like: How to Win the Premier League by Ian Graham; Let the Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura.
If poetry is their love language…
Poetry Prescription: Words for Love by Deborah Alma
This gorgeous pocket-sized book contains carefully curated poetry prescriptions compiled by Deborah Alma, founder of the Poetry Pharmacy. The poems look at all the many manifestations of love, written by W. B. Yeats, Walt Whitman, William Shakespeare, Edna St Vincent Millay, D. H. Lawrence, and more.
Plus, why not write your own poem inside for an extra surprise?
They may also like: Penguin's Poems for Love by Laura Barber; Rapture by Carol Ann Duffy.
If they need a bit of hope right now…
The Book of Gifts by Lucy Claire Dunbar
Lucy Dunbar's touching, beautiful, warm-hearted and, above all, hopeful collection of pictures, thoughts and inspirations. A trip to your Valentine's local bookshop is the perfect pick-me-up.
They may also like: Growing Brave by Donna Ashworth; I Still Believe in Miracles by Lucas Jones.
If they like to connect with the natural world...
Ebb and Flow: A Guide to Seasonal Living by Tiffany Francis-Baker
Illustrated throughout with sketches, prints and paintings by the author, Ebb and Flow introduces seasonal living and explains why it is increasingly vital for us to reconnect with the seasons.
They may also like: Uprooting: From the Caribbean to the Countryside – Finding Home in an English Garden by Marchelle Farrell; Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton.
If they're a dedicated foodie...
What I Ate in One Year: (and related thoughts) by Stanley Tucci
Actor Stanley Tucci records twelve months of eating, in restaurants, kitchens, film sets, press junkets, at home and abroad, with friends, with family, with strangers, and occasionally just by himself. Whether it’s duck à l’orange cooked by singing Carmelite nuns or meatballs made by his mother and son, these meals give shape and richness to his days.
They may also like: A Thousand Feasts: Small Moments of Joy by Nigel Slater; A Passion for Whisky by Ian Wisniewski.
If they were glued to The Traitors…
And Then There Were None: The Ultimate Mystery Edition by Agatha Christie
Ten strangers are lured to an island mansion on an isolated rock near the Devon coast. As one by one they are picked off, the dwindling group must stay one step ahead of their deadly stalker. Who will survive? And who is the killer? In this gorgeous collector's edition, the final solution is sealed in an envelope at the back of the book.
They may also like: Then Things Went Dark by Bea Fitzgerald; One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware.
Whether you're a casual reader or your bookshelves are overflowing, you'll discover brilliant book recommendations, quizzes, and competitions at National Book Tokens Discover – your ultimate destination for all things books! Sign up to receive our newsletter and you'll be entered to win a £100/€120 National Book Token every month.
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If they love to learn about the past…
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (10 Year Anniversary Edition) by Yuval Noah Harari
A beautiful anniversary edition of Yuval Noah Harari’s bold and provocative book. What makes us brilliant? What makes us deadly? What makes us Sapiens?
They may also like: A History of the World in 21 Women by Jenni Murray; Thirty-Two Words for Field: Lost Words of the Irish Landscape by Manchán Magan.
If they're all about retro gaming…
The Game Changers: How Playing Games Changed the World and Can Change You Too by Tim Clare
An entertaining and thought-provoking look at games through the ages. Tim Clare explores the legal highs of a good dice roll, the thrills of a predatory race game, and the tactile pleasures of the games that age with us through our lives to discover how, through play, we become fully ourselves.
They may also like: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin; Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.
If they love their dog (or cat!) more than fellow humans…
Pam Ayres on Animals by Pam Ayres
A beautiful collection from beloved poet Pam Ayres, compiling her best verse dedicated to her love of animals, including brand new poems and illustrations.
They may also like: We'll Prescribe You a Cat written by Syou Ishida and translated by Emmie Madison Shimoda; A Pawtobiography by Ted the Dog.
If they're in thrall to the classics...
James by Percival Everett
An enthralling and ferociously funny novel that forces us to see Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in a wholly new and transformative light. Jim emerges to reclaim his voice, defying the conventions that have consigned him to the margins.
Whether they pick out a modern retelling or an undiscovered classic, they'll delight in having a National Book Token to spend.
They may also like: Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays The Rent by Judi Dench; Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon.
If they listen to music as much as they read books…
Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall by Kazuo Ishiguro
Kazuo Ishiguro explores ideas of love, music and the passing of time. From the piazzas of Italy to the 'hush-hush floor' of an exclusive Hollywood Hotel, the characters we encounter range from young dreamers to cafe musicians to faded stars, all of them at some moment of reckoning.
They may also like: Where We Come From by Aniefiok Ekpoudom; The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead.
If they're eager to travel (even just from their armchair)…
Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad
A team favourite, this book won the Readers' Choice and Non-Fiction categories in the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, sponsored by National Book Tokens.
When Englishman Chris Broad landed in a rural village in northern Japan, he wondered if he'd made a huge mistake. With no knowledge of the language and zero teaching experience, was he about to be the most quickly fired English teacher in Japan's history? Abroad in Japan charts a decade of living in a foreign land and the chaos and culture clash that came with it.
An ideal accompaniment to the raft of travel fiction and non-fiction they can choose from with a National Book Token.
They may also like: La Vie: A year in rural France by John Lewis-Stempel; I Dreamed of Africa by Kuki Gallmann.
If romance makes them swoon, from Bridgerton to Bridget Jones…
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen by Jane Austen
Few novelists have observed their society with the wit and insight of Jane Austen. This volume brings together her seven great novels: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, and Lady Susan.
This stunning edition is designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith, one of our very talented gift card designers!
They may also like: Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin; Reputation by Lex Croucher.
If a movie night is their idea of the ultimate Valentine's Day date...
The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks
Spanning eighty years and culminating in the opening of a film, beloved actor Tom Hanks writes about a cast of characters who together create Hollywood magic. Funny, touching, and wonderfully thought-provoking, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece offers an insider's take on the momentous efforts it takes to make a film.
They may also like: Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour; Wes Anderson: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work by Ian Nathan.
If they can't walk past a bookshop without going in…
Bookshop Tours of Britain by Louise Boland
Across 18 bookshop tours, journey from the Jurassic Coast of southwest England, over the mountains of Wales, through England's industrial heartland, up to the Scottish Highlands and back via Whitby, the Norfolk Broads, central London, the South Downs and Hardy's Wessex.
Your favourite book lover will love nothing more than being given an excuse to visit a new bookshop – they can use our handy bookshop search, too!
They may also like: Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop written by Hwang Bo-reum and translated by Shanna Tan; Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree.
Valentine's Day Gift Guide FAQs
Absolutely – you're showing a reader that you recognise their interests and are giving them a gift they'll genuinely love and use. A National Book Token makes a thoughtful gift on its own, but pairing it with a book that reflects their interests is a great way to add a personal touch.
National Book Tokens are available in a range of beautiful designs and can be bought in hundreds of bookshops across the UK and Ireland, as well as in supermarkets and online.
If you're looking to make your gift even more personal, create a personalised gift card, adding your own text and photos to at no extra cost, while our Editions gift card is gold-foiled and presented in a luxury box.
Send an e-gift card directly to your book lover or print it at home to include in a greetings card, ideal for book lovers on the go. Plus, any of our gift cards can be added to the recipient's mobile wallet so it's always close to hand.
For a longer-lasting gift, Bookily gift cards let you top up an amount every month, spreading the joy of new books throughout the year.
All National Book Tokens can be purchased online and delivered straight to you, ready to gift to your Valentine in person.
Yes – choosing a book as a starting point shows thought and care, while a National Book Token gives them the freedom to explore their favourite bookshop and pick something that's completely their taste. Ask your friendly local booksellers for recommendations if you're unsure which book to choose, in addition to our suggestions.
National Book Tokens can be spent in hundreds of bookshops across the UK and Ireland – from Waterstones, Blackwell's and Easons to local independents – making them a great way to support local bookshops and give your favourite book lover a day out at a bookshop.
If they can't make it to a bookshop, our gift cards can also be spent with bookshops online, and on audiobooks.
Gift cards
Give a luxury gift
Our stylish Editions gift card is the perfect present for the discerning bibliophile. UK only.
Gift cards
Buy and spend in bookshops everywhere
Visit one of the hundreds of bookshops in the UK & Ireland that accept National Book Tokens.
Discover
Discover our book recommendations
We've got recommendations for all readers, from authors, booksellers, and our book-loving team.
