Best Books to Gift this Holiday Season

The holidays are here, and you know that means: time to buy gifts! While shopping may not look the same this year, you can still purchase your presents on the web. And what better gift to buy online than books? There’s a perfect book for everyone, and we’ve gathered them all here in this list.

Fiction

• This Is How It Always Is ​by Laurie Frankel - A sweeping story about five sons, one of whom wants nothing more than to be a daughter. Perfect for anyone who loves family dramas.
  
• If I Had Your Face​ by Frances Cha - Follows the budding friendships of four South Korean women as they confront misogyny, consumerism, and unattainable beauty standards.
  
• A Long Petal of the Sea​ by Isabel Allende - In this touching and inspiring novel, a young widow and immigrant evaluates the meaning of home.
  

Thriller/Mystery

• The Turn of the Key​ by Ruth Ware - A chilling read for fans of Agatha Christie. Find out how a live-in nanny navigates a suspicious smart house and a murder accusation.
  
• The Institute: A Novel​ by Stephen King - The king of suspense in his latest novel delivers a story about a boy upended from his home and placed in a facility for “gifted” children.
  
• The Glass Hotel: A Novel​ by Emily St. John Mandel – A new, sweeping piece of literary wonder that takes readers deep into the world of finance and underground communities.
  

Romance

• The Royal Holiday​ by Jasmine Guillory - For your friends who adore Hallmark movies. This sweet, holiday romance will charm them off their feet!
  
• Head Over Heels ​by Hannah Orenstein - Know someone still grieving the Olympics? Gift them this read about two gymnastic coaches who find love.
  
• Going Dutch ​by James Gregor - Follow the dating life of a young gay grad student as he navigates love in the Big Apple.
  

Children’s and YA

• Clap When You Land ​by Elizabeth Acevedo - Buying for a teen or fan of YA? Grab them this acclaimed novel about two teen girls who find strength together in the face of adversity.
  
• Citizen Baby ​by Megan E. Bryant and Daniel Prosterman - Young ones curious about politics? Introduce them to government with this accessible picture book series.
  
• Efrén Divided ​by Ernestos Cisneros - One young boy must channel in his inner superhero to protect his undocumented parents in this middle-grade read.
  
• Baby Liza and the Ten Tiny Kittens at Christmas by Katherine Green - Know a little one that has got a knack for solving a mystery? Then they’ll love this holiday adventure by teen author, Katherine Green.
  
• Giving by Muhammad Sadiq - Teach the little ones about what it truly means to appreciate all things, both big and small, that we have in this world, and how to give back in turn.
  

Nonfiction

• Hundred: What You Learn in a Lifetime ​by Heike Faller and Vallerio Vivaldi - A gorgeously illustrated book about what we learn over the course of a lifetime.
  
• For Small Creatures Such as We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World​ by Sasha Sagan - Written by Carl Sagan’s daughter, this unconventional memoir will inspire any lucky reader.
  
• Fifty Things That Aren’t My Fault: Essays From the Grown-Up Years ​by Cathy Guisewite - The cartoonist brings life to the middle-age experience in this charming memoir.
  

Cookbooks

• Nothing Fancy​ by Alison Roman - Perfect for those just getting into cooking and even those looking to master the basics. They’ll be sure to love these low-maintenance recipes!
  
• Martha Stewart’s Cookie Perfection​ by Martha Stewart - Who doesn’t love a good cookie? Martha Stewart walks you through her best cookie recipes in this cookbook. Maybe you’ll even get to taste test your giftee’s creations!
  
• Vegetable Kingdom ​by Bryant Terry - Know someone new to or curious about the vegan lifestyle? This cookbook will give them all the recipes they need to make it work.
  

---

By Sydney Meve, Intern