About National Book Tokens
National Book Tokens empower readers to choose the books they want to read from the bookshops they love. Discover what has made them the best gift for book lovers for more than 90 years.
8 reasons National Book Tokens are a gift you can feel good about
Why our gift cards are the best present you can give any book lover.
1. There's no need to worry about expiry!
National Book Tokens and Bookily gift cards are valid for 8 whole years from the last time they were topped up or used, so your favourite book lover has plenty of time to spend their gift – plus, if it does expire, we'll replace it for free!
Find out how to get a free replacement
Here are some other things you could do in 8 years…
• Read 416 books (that's one a week!)
• Take monthly trips to 96 different bookshops (that's one a month!)
• Go from your first book at secondary school to your first university textbook
• Follow Phileas Fogg's journey around the world 36.5 times
• Re-enact Ulysses in real time… almost 3,000 times!
• Write 8 full-length novels – that's 300 words a day!
And if you STILL haven't spent your gift… we'll replace it for free!
2. Our gift cards can be added to mobile wallets
Any type of National Book Token can be added to a mobile wallet using our handy balance checker, from e-gift cards to personalised gift cards – so they can easily keep their gift card on them wherever they go.
Find out how3. Our gift cards are printed on paper, not plastic!
Since 2018, we've reduced our carbon footprint and use of plastics by switching to FSC-certified paper board for all the National Book Tokens you see in shops, as well as Bookily – so every gift card is a little kinder to the planet. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification allows you to identify, purchase and use paper products produced from well-managed forests.
Our gift cards are also printed in the UK, supporting local business and reducing the environmental impact of transportation.
You may still find older plastic gift cards in shops because we encourage retailers to use up their existing stock rather than destroy it.
Both our paper board and plastic gift cards can be topped up and reused again and again – helping to cut down on single-use waste.
4. National Book Tokens can be spent on any book: the choice is yours!
If you've received a National Book Token, you can spend it on any book you like! From cookbooks and crime to crochet guides and contemporary fiction, choose whatever you love – and enjoy a relaxed bookshop browse along the way.
And if you've given one of our gift cards to a book lover, you can be confident that the choice is in their hands. With hundreds of participating bookshops, both instore and online, they'll have access to a world of books, expertly curated by brilliant booksellers.
Discover a new book to read"I love receiving (and giving) National Book Tokens. It is a great gift, to have the chance to choose a book just for myself or for the recipient to do the same."
National Book Token email subscriber
5. We support the local high street and bookshops
National Book Tokens can be spent in hundreds of indie and chain bookshops across the country. Plus, our gift cards can also be spent with bookshops online. From the indie-powered bookshop.org to beloved chains like waterstones.com, you can do your book shopping online while supporting the bookshops you love.
National Book Tokens help to support bookshops big and small. Every gift card bought and spent represents an investment in high street bookselling – this year, they will create nearly 2 million bookshop visits! We also celebrate bookshops and their invaluable role in local communities through our support of industry campaigns, including Independent Bookshop Week, Bookshop Day, and Irish Book Week.
Thank you for choosing National Book Tokens, and for helping us to keep brilliant bookshops at the hearts of our communities.
"National Book Tokens are a much-loved gifting option offering such security to the giver – there can be few high street gift cards as trusted, with their long redemption period, and the huge number of places they can be redeemed. The recipient has the gift of choice – so many books and bookshops to spend them in, and the flexibility to use a bit at a time. Every single day National Book Tokens drive footfall into my bookshop – they are so important for both our sales and our profit. Our customers love them and so do we!"
Hazel Broadfoot, Village Books
6. We have a gift card for every occasion
National Book Tokens come in a variety of bright and playful designs for every occasion.
Whether they have a birthday coming up or you want to say 'well done', find our gift cards in your local bookshop or online – and then let them experience the joy of choosing their next book.
Don't forget that you can personalise our gift cards with your own image and message, perfect for that special occasion.
7. Our gift cards are bursting with fun for children of all ages
We team up with some of the most loved children's brands to create bright and playful gift card designs for young readers of all ages. Whether they adore classic characters such as the Gruffalo, Grinch or Matilda, or can't get enough of modern favourites such as Bunny vs Monkey, Bluey, and Heartstopper, there's a gift card that's perfect for every reader.
Our gift cards turn book shopping into an adventure – an invitation to explore a bookshop and choose a story that feels just right for them.
Plus, our innovative Bookily gift card gives young book lovers the ultimate present: a monthly budget for new books!
Browse our gift cards online
8. We support and celebrate reading for pleasure
We believe that everyone should have access to the books they want and need, and we're committed to encouraging and supporting reading for pleasure.
That's why we work with literacy charities, reading organisations, literary awards and national prizes, including Book Aid International, Read for Good, World Book Day, the Jhalak Prize, the National Year of Reading, BBC 500 Words, the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, the Black British Book Festival, and many more!
We've also signed the National Literacy Trust's Vision for Literacy Pledge 2026. We pledge to take action to close the literacy gap and empower children with the literacy skills they need to thrive, regardless of their background.
By choosing National Book Tokens, you’re helping us to support reading for everyone.
1 in 4 pupils receiving Free School Meals said the £1 book they 'bought' with their £1 book token was the first book of their own.
Source: National Literacy Trust, Annual Literacy Survey 2024
We're proud to support the National Year of Reading
If you're into it... read into it! In 2026, every adult, young person and child are invited to Go All In – to discover how reading can make the things you already love even richer.
Work with us
Look out for opportunities to join our team, and help us connect readers with the books they want to read, from the bookshops they love to visit.
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A gift beyond words... since 1932
Did you know that National Book Tokens were the world's first gift vouchers, and have been around for more than nine decades?
Discover our history
