As moms, we are often running around like chickens with our heads cut off. Throw in creating endless holiday magic for our kiddos and we are all.over.the place. It will be inevitable that there are a few last minute Christmas gifts we will need to check off our lists, so why not try a book?
I love Christmas, I love giving gifts, and most of all, I love books. I wish gifting a random book you thought someone would like was more common. Think about it; a book is a super easy gift! You pop in your local bookstore, check out a few of the recommended books, read their descriptions, choose, purchase, and go. Did you just purchase their new favorite book? Maybe!
As of late, when people ask, “What’s something you’d like for Christmas?” I have been telling them to pick out a book, any book. It’s easy and affordable. I hope to be able to come back after reading the book and talk to them about it, developing a connection over that book and gift, because I hate the idea of buying just to buy! I have purchased probably ten books this holiday season for gifting. Plus, talk about an easy to wrap gift!
Here are a few books I recommend and a few that I gathered as recommendations from others:
For your suspense lovers:
I have bought about three copies of Verity by Colleen Hoover and recommended it countless times. It’s weird, but it’s so good. I finished it in 23 hours (that includes ~8 hours of sleeping)!
A recommendation I received this year and agree with is Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. It’s also weird, but keeps you on your toes to find out what happens next! It’s also now a show on HBO in case you read the book and find yourself wanting more.
For your romance lovers:
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon will introduce you to Jaime. Fall in love. Be hooked. You’re welcome!
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne is another that I have purchased multiple copies of for gifting. This is my all-time favorite comfort read and will soon be a movie starring Lucy Hale! *swoon*
For the fantasy lovers:
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is one of my top books of 2020. I haven’t gifted it yet but it’s definitely on the list of “buy this for someone else.” It also plays some into the historical fiction genre and LGBT!
For your non-fiction readers:
I’ve been recommended Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell by multiple people so it’s on my list. Would I buy a book before reading it off someone else’s trusted recommendations? Absolutely! It’s a great opportunity to initiate a buddy read.
Another book that’s been on my shelf, but not been cracked open yet is Untamed by Glennon Doyle. I’ve read some of Glennon’s other books and saw her at a virtual conference this year, so her work is very renowned!
For your creators:
A very popular book for gifting from our local retailer The Back Porch Mercantile is Beautiful Boards: 50 Amazing Snack Boards for Any Occasion by Maegan Brown. Put it with a nice board and you have a really fantastic gift!
To be honest, I could keep going. There are so many amazing books that are available to us and something to fit every personality or preference. If shopping small is important to you, Bookshop is a great online resource that finds books from small shops but still allows you the comfort and safety of online shopping during our current pandemic. It even features our local small book stores Union Avenue Books and Bookshop at The Bottom.
