Books for Gifting

Yesterday, a friend texted and asked me my favorite question. “I would like to give a few books to a friend this season. What would you recommend?” At this point, I always do a happy dance and set aside time to work on a current list.

When I am asked this question, the first thing I do is ask for the giftees’ (I’m pretty sure that isn’t a word but you know what I mean) recent favorite and least favorite reads. This will give me a starting point but truth be told, most gift givers don’t know the answer to that question so…. I like to have a list of books that will work for almost any reader. And for reference, when I answer this question, I try to avoid books that might be too stressful or too dark. I also like to avoid books that have gotten a ton of hype in the hope that the giftee won’t have already read the title.

And as I often do, I am going to forego plot summaries to accompany these books. I tend not to include summaries for two reasons. First, there are lots of people out there (who are not me) who really enjoy writing great book reviews and typing the book title into Google will lead you right to these reviews. And second and importantly, when I finish a book, I tend to forget the finer details of the plot really quickly. I remember the characters, moments of time and the way I felt while reading the book.

So while I might be able to tell you exactly what happened in each of these books, I know that I connected with the characters, I loved the stories and I felt happy while reading them. I hope you enjoy gifting some of these titles this year! And if you happen to pick some of these up to read yourself, let me know what you thought when you are done reading!

CURRENT FAVORITE BOOKS TO GIFT

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson

Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell

We are All Completely Besides Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler

The Address by Fiona Davis

The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close

This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acavedo

Long Bright River by Liz Moore

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

The Two Family House by Lynn Cohen Loigman