This new exhibition by the Weston looks at how books are so often related to gifts - they are given as gifts, dedicated as gifts, or are so influential that they seem a gift to literature (in rare cases).

One of my favourite cases looked at the relationship between gods and humans, and how holy texts can be seen as a gift to the gods in the way that they express devotion and gratitude. There were a diverse range of exhibits on display, from a clay tablet to an edition of the Aeneid, the line "I fear the Greeks, even when bearing gifts" singled out as one that showed the complexity of gifts to the gods, including the human politics that plays into it.

As well as this, the large collection of "love tokens" was touching and one of my favourite parts of the exhibition, as it gave you a small window into people's lives and the ways in which they expressed love to each other, some more charming than others. A particularly interesting one was a beautifully crafted card with a message including the line "Don't forget Dear Ellen the promised ringlet"[sic], echoing the desperate tones of the Snapchat age.

We often see our somewhat transactional view of relationships today as modern, but this exhibition offered an insight into how we view the exchange of gifts, and the things we expect in return. The Bodleian's own donors' book was formerly placed in a prominent position to add a sense of social status to donation, and it was displayed at this exhibition as a reminder that some gifts carry more weight than just the joy of giving them.

Another aspect of the exhibition which I found fascinating was the idea that books can be gifts from the author to a loved one, as well as a gift to the reader themselves, with such careful thought put into how the reader will interpret an author's ideas. Children's literature was given its own section of this collection, exploring the emphasis on gratitude and giving in children's stories, especially the idea that giving back to those who have helped you will benefit you later on in life.

All in all, this was an incredible exhibition and I enjoyed looking at the different interpretations of how books can be used to give meaning to our lives and enrich our relationships with others.