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As an avid reader myself, I absolutely love receiving and gifting books for every and any occasion. Often times, I have been asked what are some of the best books to gift or that I have received in the past as gifts. I have compiled a list of 25 books to gift. These books range from very many genres and formats to hopefully suit everyone on your list.
1. “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson
“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” is a quick, short no BS read. Mark Manson’s voice is poignant and captivating from the very start. This is an affirming self-help book. In its counterintuitive approach to living a good life, it has inspired many to narrow their interests and actually focus on what makes them happy.
2. “Normal People” by Sally Rooney
“Normal People” is exactly so, a story about normal people and how they navigate the world and relationships. This story follows Marianne and Connell and the intricacies of their relationship with family, friends, love, and class. This book is perfect for lovers of literary fiction that make deep dives into characters.
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3. “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernardine Evaristo
“Girl, Woman, Other” is a groundbreaking work of fiction and a joint winner of the Man Booker Prize 2019. It follows twelve storylines of mostly black British women dealing with issues of LGBTQ+, race, and class. This one is an intricate feminist read and is likely to strike a chord in its readers.
4. “Becoming” by Michelle Obama
“Becoming” has been one of the highest selling autobiography since it has been published. It is an awe-inspiring read for women all around the globe. Thoughtful, well-written, and eye-opening – those are the autobiography’s recurrent praise.
5. “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling
The “Harry Potter” series is a perfect whimsical series for everyone. The atmosphere of the series and the core characters makes this series enjoyable to everyone from middle graders to adults. Everyone needs a little bit of magic in their lives. The Harry Potter series offers this escape from the muggle world.
6. “The Chronicles of Narnia” series by C.S. Lewis
Similarly, the “The Chronicles of Narnia” is another great magical series for everyone. It is more digestible – size wise – than the Harry Potter series. This series also deals with important topics such as responsibility, power, and dictatorship in a magical setting.
7. “The Starless Sea” by Erin Morgenstern
I would gift “The Starless Sea” to the lover of stories. This for the person on your list that is constantly talking about stories or referring to their life as a story. “The Starless Sea” is made for lovers of enchanted libraries.
8. “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert
“Big Magic” qualifies as a self-help book for the creatives. Do you know anyone that is deeply invested in their art or creative project? This one is a must read. Creatives such as writers and artists or even creative entrepreneurs will eat this one up. (Pun intended as Elizabeth Gilbert is also the writer of “Eat Pray Love.”)
9. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is a book of representation. Evelyn Hugo startling feels like a real person, like a real celebrity icon. This book is gut wrenching but also cathartic. A book about grief, fame, growth, and sexuality.
10. “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” by Lori Gottlieb
“Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” is a heartfelt memoir. It really dives deeply into mental health and therapy. This book explores a therapist’s world as she too seeks to learn from the practice she offers.
11. “The Testaments” by Margaret Atwood
The reason why “The Testaments” is on this list instead of the first novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” because the assumption is that most people have read or seen the TV series at this point. If not, it could be a two part gift for the person on your list. Give them two gripping books to fly through. This series is an entanglement of history, totalitarianism, injustice, sexism, and everything in between. It is a frightening dystopian for its mimicry of mankind’s own downfalls.
12. “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong
“On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” is another book about storytelling, belonging, and autobiography. Vuong’s poetic voice is strong, urgent, and moving. He interweaves trauma, addiction, and violence, as well as countries; Vietnam and America.
13. “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari
“Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” is literally what it stands for. The author illuminates mankind’s history and how homo sapiens remained the only human species now inhabiting the world. This book touches on science, history, anthropology and many more topics that explain life as we know it today. Additionally, this book is very accessible.
14. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear
“Atomic Habits” is the habit building book that everyone wants to read and needs to read. This book provides helpful ways of constructing a new system in order to achieve your goals by setting actionable habits and improving your life daily.
15. “Cravings: Hungry for More” by Chrissy Teigen
“Cravings: Hungry for More” is a book for the foody or that friend or relative that is always trying new recipes and is always hungry for more.
16. “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero
“You Are a Badass” is personal development book that helps combat self-doubt and achieve goals without self-sabotage. This one teaches how to lead a happier and better life.
17. “My Ideal Bookshelf” by Thessaly La Force
“My Ideal Bookshelf” is an illustrated book filled with snapshots of the bookshelf of famous writers, illustrators, actors, musicians, cooks, artists, and the likes. This one is definitely for book lovers – they will add even more books already on their ever-growing reading list.
18. “Strange Planet” by Nathan W. Pyle
“Strange Planet” is an illustrated book of comedic cartoons. For the ones who are riding it hard to fit into our strange little planet; this one is for them. This strange little book is equal parts humor, hope, and self-help.
19. “Midnight Sun” by Stephanie Meyer
The great thing about “Midnight Sun” is that it can be a starting point before even embarking into the twilight series. If you know someone that was a big twiheart, chances are they’re at least curious to give this one a try. If not, it’s never too late to self-indulge into this atmospheric vampiric world.
20. “home body” by Rupi Kaur
“home body” is the third poetry collection by instagram modern poet Rupi Kaur. Her poetry is beautiful and empowering and has reached women all around the globe. This collection also deals with raw emotion, the split self from the past and the future, of dark and light.
21. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a classic tale of teenage-hood and growing up. A coming of age story about looking out but also about being in this whirlwind of emotions and real life issues. Every teenager should read this one.
22. “Humans of New York: Stories” by Brandon Stanton
“Humans of New York: Stories” offers beautiful photography and beautiful stories of real people in New York City. This one is perfect for both the photographers and storytellers in your life. For that person who always stops in the street – while you’re walking with them – just to interact or say hello to strangers. Also, for that friend who is always making friends anywhere they go. However, these stories are for everyone by everyone.
23. “Tequila Mockingbird” by Tim Federle
“Tequila Mockingbird” presents literary inspired drinks and the puns just are hilariously funny. A dear university friend gifted me this one and its absolutely perfect for a night of drinking and literacy.
24. “Talking to Strangers” by Malcolm Gladwell
“Talking to Strangers” is Gladwell’s latest book and it has been highly acclaimed as all of his previous books were. In this psychology book, Gladwell explains that we have troubles with understanding others because, precisely, we don’t know how to talk to strangers.
25. “2030” by Mauro F. Guillén
If you know anyone that absolutely loves numbers and global projections, “2030” is the perfect book for them. It is greatly informative on global trends ranging from topics of technology, population projection, immigration, job markets, and innovation.
These are my top 25 best books to gift. Let me know the best books you’ve gifted or received as a gift!
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