It happens every year. There is one person that somehow you forgot to get a gift. Maybe you forgot that book club in December always includes a book exchange. Maybe you wanted to get a little something to go along with the extra tip for the person who does your nails. Or maybe it wasn’t you that forgot. Has your husband gotten anything for his assistant yet? If you need a last-minute gift idea, I have eight books that make perfect gifts.
Books are quick and easy to give, even if someone isn’t a dedicated reader. Thanks to Amazon we can order them online and have them in two days. If you’re lucky enough to have a local bookstore, it is easy to pop in for your purchase. With this list of books that make perfect gifts, you’ll be able to wrap up your last-minute shopping with ease. You also might find something for yourself.
Instead of giving you my synopsis of each book, I’ve selected a great GoodReads review for each selection.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King (4.32 stars) – Who doesn’t love seeing behind the curtain? “For anyone who’s a Stephen King fan or aspiring writer, this should be a must-have. I listened to the Audible that’s read by King, and I highly recommend it. King’s as good of a storyteller vocally as he is on paper. The breakdown of the book goes like this – the first third is about his background, and what lead him to write. The middle third is about the mechanics of writing, and for me it was more informative than any college course. He discusses “voice,” and themes, and story, and dialogue, and characters, and how he develops and assembles each of these elements. The final third delves into the accident that almost killed him.” – Tom Lewis
Family Trust by Kathy Wang (3.39 stars) – This new release was the first pick of the Buzzfeed book club. “This is a tough book to characterize, but I loved it. There are so many misconceptions about the wealthy. This book pokes and prods those, revealing that some clichés have merit and others are more complex than one may imagine. The Bay Area/Silicon Valley is sort of a hotbed of new money and hungry business startups, and the story takes place there. This book is ironically funny, tentatively tender, and entirely fascinating.” – Nicole Wagner
Off The Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done by Laura Vanderkam (4.02) – Check out my meeting with the Laura Vanderkam here! “It’s no exaggeration to say that Laura Vanderkam’s writing has changed my life. Her earlier books forced me to confront my own part in procrastination, avoiding hard tasks and making excuses like “I don’t have the time.” This book – Off the Clock – crystalizes all her earlier writing into an easy-to-follow (though sometimes counterintuitive) set of principles for making the most of your time…If you only buy one productivity or time management book this year, make it Off the Clock. Highly recommended!” – Katherine Lewis
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (4.56 stars) – Skip the movie and read this soon to be classic YA novel. “There are those books that are important and timely, worthy of reading because of the social and/or political message that they send. They fill a gap in the market; they make waves. They need to exist. And there are other books that are well-written, emotionally-charged and unputdownable – books that are not important as such, just really good. But, on occasion, you find one of those rare wonderful creatures that is both important AND really good. The Hate U Give is one of those books.” – Emily May
My Life in France by Julie Child (4.17 stars) Did you know she didn’t start cooking till her 40s? “Oh, how I love and adore this book. It’s one of the best I’ve read lately, combining as it does my love of France, Julia, and food in one funny, touching package. Julia Child was such a unique, eccentric, brilliant woman, and I’m always inspired when I realize that she struggled along at loose ends for years before finding her true passion and calling.” – Melissa
Need a book pick for someone who isn’t a reader? Here are three selections that should help.
O’s Little Book of Happiness features some of the best work that has appeared in O Magazine. You’ll find touching and practical essays from Elizabeth Gilbert, Roxane Gay and Brene Brown in this uplifting collection.
The 52 Lists Project: A Year Of Weekly Journaling Inspiration is just one in a series of journals to help you find your happiness and follow your dreams. It’s a great gift for anyone who needs a little nudge towards regular self-care.
Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook 10th Anniversary edition is a gorgeous collection of delicious plant-based recipes from one of my favorite cookbook authors. Any cook would find the dishes delicious and fun to try, but it would be especially helpful to the newly vegetarian friend in your life.
Of course, I think books always make the perfect gift. I have the new Louise Penny, Kingdom of the Blind, on my wish list this year. If you’re curious about what I read all year long be sure to sign up for my email list. My email list only series next year will be “Tea and A Book”. With email subscribers only, I will share each month recommendations from my reading list to help you live a healthier and happier life plus the perfect tea to go with them.
