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Bookish Birthday Cards to Celebrate The Reader In Your Life

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Kelly Jensen

Editor

Kelly is a former librarian and a long-time blogger at STACKED. She's the editor/author of (DON'T) CALL ME CRAZY: 33 VOICES START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH and the editor/author of HERE WE ARE: FEMINISM FOR THE REAL WORLD. Her next book, BODY TALK, will publish in Fall 2020. Follow her on Instagram @heykellyjensen.

My very first job as a high schooler was at Hallmark. It’s true, too, what they say: there really is a card for every single event and person you can imagine. This isn’t a bad thing: I very much remember helping someone find a thank you card for their child’s bus driver and they were thrilled that we had more than one option from which to choose.

There are far more options for where you can get cards than back in the early 00s, including so many clever, creative, and unique ones on Etsy. This particular roundup is for book lovers, of course, and each of these cards is for the book lover celebrating a birthday in your life. Grab one for the person you know will love the card and/or grab a couple to have in your stock for future bookish birthday friends and family members.

What’s great about these bookish birthday cards is that they’ll be memorable to the recipient. Chances are, too, those cards will be displayed as art on bookshelves or cubicles or even used as a bookmark for that perfect book you got them as a gift.

Also? Many of them are the same price, if not less expensive, than cards you’d find in a specialty or big box store.

image of a birthday card with a bright orange background. There is a "cake" made of books that says "have a novel birthday."
Image courtesy of TinyBeeCards on Etsy

Go big and bold for the next bookish birthday you’re celebrating with this novel card. $5.50.

Image of a birthday card that has books on a shelf. It says "you're a classic. happy birthday."
Image courtesy of HopscotchPaperCo on Etsy

This is a pretty solid birthday card choice for any kind of reader. It’s simple, it’s pretty, and it’s a straight-up classic. $4.

image of a card with a pink book on the front. it says "happy birthday! hope this year is a page turner."
Image courtesy of TheMysticMerchShop on Etsy

We love a good page turner, so why wouldn’t we want to wish someone a year that plays out like a book you can’t put down? $9+, depending on size.

Image of a birthday card in the style of a library due date card.
Image courtesy of FlyPaperProducts on Etsy

Not only is this a great library-themed birthday card, the actual due date card on the front comes out from the pocket, so it can be used as a bookmark. $4.50 and up.

birthday card with a "cake" made from a stack of books. it reads "it's your birthday. you're allowed to buy more books."
Image courtesy of stephkaydesigns on Etsy.

What every reader really wants for their birthday is this: permission to buy more books. $5+.

Image of a birthday card with a stack of books. Popping out from the top of the book stack is a little worm that says "Happy birthday bookworm."
Image courtesy of BonbiForest on Etsy.

From one bookworm to another, here’s the perfect little birthday card. The spine titles on the book stack are especially clever. $4.50+.

image of a card with a pile of books. On top of the books is a black mug with a green worm that says "bookworm." The backside of the card is also shown in the image.
Image courtesy of SomeOfUsNotecards on Etsy

Here’s a different take on the bookworm card. This one doesn’t necessarily need to be used for a birthday, and the thing that is really special on this card is the note on the back. Beneath the image, you can read, “In a world of busy bees, flies on the wall, and social butterflies, be a bookworm.” $4.

image of a birthday card that has a skeleton on it. it reads "one year closer to never finishing your tbr. happy birthday."
Image courtesy of GoldenHourTX on Etsy

Bookworms with a dark sense of humor will dig this gothic-y birthday card. When we accept we’ll never finish that TBR, we set ourselves free. $7.50.

Image of a library themed birthday card. There is a library cart with books and it says "you've really got a hold on me."
Image courtesy of HeiLoCardsStore on Etsy

This might be my favorite card of the bunch. The library-themed humor here is good, of course, but the art is what really sells it for me. You can tell this was made by hand with love. Also, since this isn’t explicitly birthday-themed, you could use it for any appropriate occasion. $5.

Image of a card that features a small bookshelf and a black cat looking up at the shelf. It reads "Our friendship is my favorite story."
Image courtesy of RunWithItCrafts on Etsy

Talk about a very sweet card. $4.

Image of a birthday card that says "check it out. it's your birthday." There is a book sticker on it.
Image courtesy of NightOwlPaperGoods on Etsy

Talk about a card that does double duty. Not only is it a great birthday card, but the sticker on the front is one that your recipient can use beyond the card, too. $7.

image of a birthday card with a bed and two open books on it. Above the bed are the words "you're my favorite person to read next to."
Image courtesy of NorthernWindCreative on Etsy

Last but not least, here’s the perfect card for the person who you love being as close to as possible while reading. $7.


If you’re looking for a good gift to pair with these bookish birthday cards, never fear. Dive into this gift guide to bookish finds under $30, great book embossers and stamps, and items to help build a cozy reading nook.