Books are my love language, obviously. I put A LOT of thought into the books I gift people because I think they would like them — based on their personality, on books I know they like or based on how much I know they will trust me to stretch them outside their comfort zone. I just love brainstorming book gift ideas to give at Christmas (and birthdays and any other occasion I can shove a book at someone).
So one of my favorite things every Christmas, in addition to gifting people my favorite books throughout the years, is gifting them some of the great books I’ve read THAT particular year and a note why I picked it/what I loved about the book.
So I thought I would share some of the books I’m giving for Christmas this year, from the books I’ve read this year, and maybe it will give you some book gift ideas! If you need non-book gift ideas for book lovers I’ve got ya there too –and also a gift guide dedicated to gifts for book lovers on Amazon — because I know my Prime subscription is my bff during the holidays (major procrastinator over here) .
[Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and purchase something I’ve talked about or recommended, I’ll receive a very small percentage of the sale (something I always appreciate so much!). Please see my disclosure policy for more info.]
Book Gift Idea #1
The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor
This book was just SO, SO good. Historical fiction lovers, it’s a must! I loved the intertwined storylines, set 100 years apart, that we get to watch come together and see just how they are connected! It’s full of fierce women who make bold, empowering choices and the characters just felt near and dear to me. It’s the perfect book to give as a Christmas gift to all the strong ladies in your life and this copy is definitely making its way to one in my life!
Purchase: AMAZON // B&N // FROM YOUR LOCAL INDIE
Book Gift Idea #2
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
This book has made a ton of best of 2018 lists already this year and for good reason! It’s a read that is SO compelling even though when I describe it to people it wouldn’t seem to be. It tackles some really weighty and important issues without being heavy-handed. Any readers I know that read literary fiction are getting this one!
Purchase: AMAZON // B&N // FROM YOUR LOCAL INDIE
Book Gift Idea #3
Next Year In Havana by Chanel Cleeton
This book is everything I love! Characters I instantly love, a setting so vivid it inspires me to want to book a ticket there, writing so good. I loved this family saga played out in alternating storylines from the perspective of a grandmother (as a young girl in Cuba) and the granddaughter who has just lost her grandmother. Family secrets abound and I loved how the storylines converge. A must-read for anyone on your list for anyone who loves family sagas, historical fiction and romance!
Purchase: AMAZON // B&N // FROM YOUR LOCAL INDIE
Book Gift Idea #4
I’m glad I have friends who don’t normally read “magicky” things that will trust me when I say READ THIS. It will appeal to their historical fiction loving senses (Berlin in 1988) and the “magic” within the book is just perfect to ease them in when it’s not really their thing normally because they will be instantly transported, just like our main character who time travels from present day to 1988 Berlin, and finds herself tangled with an underground network of people using magic balloons to help people escape over the Wall dividing Berlin. THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD.
Purchase: AMAZON // B&N // FROM YOUR LOCAL INDIE
Book Gift Idea #4
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
This book — OH MAN! Talk about page-turning!!! I have a bunch of teens (and some lovers of YA that aren’t teens) in my life that are always looking for the next great fantasy series to start and I’m gifting this one this year! It’s an intense and brutal world and action is just WOAH. I’m pining away for the sequel, you have no idea!
Purchase: AMAZON // B&N // FROM YOUR LOCAL INDIE
Book Gift Idea #5
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
This is one of those books that I want to buy for literally EVERYONE. Everyone should read it, full stop. It was my most recent book club pick and WOW was there so much to talk about.
Purchase: AMAZON // B&N // FROM YOUR LOCAL INDIE
What books are you giving as gifts this year? Do you need any help with book gift ideas beyond what I have in here? LEMME KNOW! I love figuring out books to give people at Christmas (or anytime, let’s be real!).
P.S. Need a gift for the Potterhead in your life? Check out my gift ideas for Harry Potter fans!
Jenny says
I love both giving and getting books for Christmas! So far this year, I’ve got my Mum the prequel to Anne Of Green Gables that came out this year!
Jamie says
Oooh have you read that one? I’ve been wondering about it!!
Helen says
Such a good list of books! Are you going to do your end of the year wrap-up post again?
Nicole says
As of lately one of my favorite books to gift people is A House In The Sky by Amanda Lindhout.
Jamie says
Ooh I haven’t read that one and vaguely have heard of it! Off to check it out! Thanks!
Nicole says
I literally could not put it down.
Jess @ Jessticulates says
These all sound great – I especially love the sound of Next Year in Havana! I love picking books for my dad at Christmas – I’m quite good at picking books he wouldn’t necessarily choose himself but he usually ends up enjoying – and I have some reader friends I love to force books on that I’ve adored just so I can talk to someone about them! The one book I’ve been pushing on the most people this year is Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough, which is stunning. It’s a novel in verse about the 17th century artist Artemisia Gentileschi and it’s SO GOOD.
Alexandra says
Oooh, YES to Blood Water Paint – it’s such a powerful, emotional read. I thought the use of verse was perfect for Artemisia’s story.