We asked, you told us: What book do you love to give as a gift?
It’s the holiday season, and we know the perfect gift: Books, of course.
We asked our readers what their favorite books are to give as gifts, and why. Here’s what they said.
It’s the holiday season, and we know the perfect gift: Books, of course.
We asked our readers what their favorite books are to give as gifts, and why. Here’s what they said.
A Country Doctor’s Notebook
“The book is incredibly funny and heartwarming. It tells his story as an inexperienced, young doctor seeing patients and trying not to kill anyone. Full of the terror, beauty and frustration of medicine. I give or recommend it to all the new or aspiring doctors I know.” — Jeff Wade
Ask the Dust
“I was born and raised in L.A., but haven’t lived there since leaving for college nearly 15 years ago. So wherever I live, I inevitably end up gifting someone a copy, and it feels like they get to know a little more about me and my hometown.” — Tamara Vallejos
Additional recommendations: For kids: “The Story of Ferdinand” by Munro Leaf
At Swim, Two Boys
“It's a classic to me and there’s always something new to be found in the story. The words, too, just incredible. I met the author once, when he was on tour for the book at a small bookstore in Seattle. I always kick myself for not asking him to grab a beer after the book talk, just so I could learn more about how he put the story together. ” — Anthony King
Consider the Lobster
“While ‘A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again’ and ‘Both Flesh and Not’ are also excellent collections, it’s ‘Consider the Lobster’ that I always come back to. I first read Wallace at a time in my life when I really needed to read him, and I know many others have felt the same kinship. ” — Malik Vallo
Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words
“ It's a prose collection of poet David Whyte's perspective on everyday words. It’s truly beautiful and like nothing I’ve ever read before.” — M. MacDonald
Gift from the Sea
“Timeless reflections on contentment and stages of life. Simply written but with deep, rich and meaningful insight.” — Joan Nagle
Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
“This book changed my life when someone gave it to me 20 years ago, and now I love to give it as a gift. It’s a slim volume, so if you’re giving the book to someone who isn’t a reader, it’s not a massive chore for them.” — Jackson La Londe
In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette
“It is the first nonfiction book that has ever brought me to tears. I was unable to control my emotions toward the last few pages. It is the perfect novel for a dad who lives in his armchair, a recent graduate in search of inspiration or a successful engineer.” — Topher Lambert
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World
“It’s a lovely meditation on 10 habits that lead to success. It’s also short, for those who don’t have an attention span.” — Shannon Wise
Additional recommendations: “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, “Small Great Things” by Jodi Picoult
March
“Who wouldn’t want to receive a groundbreaking book about a groundbreaking man who changed the course of history? I love how the series tells a story so many of us take for granted in a totally different way.” — Molly Kennedy
Mistress of the Vatican: The True Story of Olimpia Maidalchini: The Secret Female Pope
“This is is the story of Olimpia Maidalchini, who became the sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X. It is an amazing history of the Vatican from the inside, exposing the politics and corruption that muddled the church. It is an eye-opener for anyone who was raised Catholic.” — Carol J. Campbell
Neapolitan Novels
“Four beautifully written novels exploring the lives of two friends, the complexities of female relationships and the role of education in their lives. Exquisite gift for girlfriends and an exceptional work of art.” — Julie
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
“It offers solid advice ‘on writing’ and is an enjoyable read, in and of itself.” — Carmella
Slouching Towards Bethlehem
“Didion makes good writing look so effortless. She also has a great sense of the absurd. I enjoy cultivating people's appreciation for the absurd. The book is also a wonderful glimpse of some not so golden features of California during its ‘Golden Age.’” — Roska Duke
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
“It's the only book that I’ve memorized lines from, lines that live in my head and trip me up unexpectedly like uneven cobblestones when I’m just going about my days. I’m always eager to pass it on to others because of the sheer beauty and truth of it.” — Maura Dooley
The Art of Happiness
“It truly is a handbook for how to live. It gives clear and simple advice on the ways that we can all help enrich our lives. The best thing about this book is that you can apply the advice it gives, regardless of your religious beliefs. It doesn’t matter what people practice, or if they are nonbelievers, the advice is for all of us as we make our way through the ups and downs of life and the emotions that arise from simply being human.” — Martha Dynice
The Giving Tree
“A book about unconditional love.” — Christine DeCarlo
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir
“I read it about 10 years ago, and it was my first exposure to the always-engaging Bryson. A memoir of his middle-of-the-century, Middle-of-America childhood, the book is sweet, interesting and hilarious.” — John Grennan
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
“It's a positive, life-changing book that teaches you how to live in the moment. As human beings, the neurons in our brains are constantly firing and bombarding us with thoughts. The book shows you how to tune out the extraneous noise, be more mindful, a lot less stressed and a much happier person.” — Mark McIntyre
The Prophet
“It has a lot of wisdom.” — Mini Salas
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert
“Although the title says ‘marriage,’ this book applies to any interpersonal relationship. It made me a better friend, daughter and person. I’ve given at least 10 copies to friends of all ages over the years and every one has found it to be eye-opening.” — Yolanda Kong
The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements
“The blueprint for fanaticism.” — Barbara Wenger
Additional recommendations: “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis, “Handcarved Coffins” by Truman Capote
Additional credits: Production by Vanessa Martínez