Book gifting on the rise at Riyadh Book Fair

Riyadh, Oct 9 (SPA/APP): The Riyadh International Book Fair 2025 highlighted a notable trend this year: the rise of books as gifts. Many visitors were seen purchasing books for friends and family, signaling a growing cultural awareness and an expanding interest in reading.
“The best gift I can give my children is a book,” said Khaled Al-Harbi, while browsing the children’s books pavilion. “Phones can be replaced, and toys eventually break, but books last.” He emphasized that the real gift is instilling the habit of reading at home.
In the novels pavilion, Sara Al-Abdullah picked out a book for her friend, explaining that giving a book is a unique way to express emotions. “Each title carries a personal message,” she said.
Another visitor, Abdulrahman Al-Shammari, stated that he carefully selects books as gifts, calling it a thoughtful and meaningful choice that resonates both intellectually and emotionally.
The book signing pavilion also saw authors personally dedicating their works to readers, seeing the dedication as the start of a new dialogue—one that extends beyond the book itself.
This growing trend of gifting books reflects a deeper societal awareness of reading’s value and reinforces the cultural significance of books as timeless, meaningful presents.