Shopping during the holidays can be headache inducing. Long lines, crowded stores, and high credit card bills can really threaten the joy you’re supposed to be feeling this holiday season. Instead of fighting the crowd (and I mean that quite literally – don’t be these people), sip on some strong egg nog and use this list for gift ideas for that sister-in-law you completely forgot about.
#1: Becoming by Michelle Obama
In this beautifully honest memoir, former first Lady Michelle Obama chronicles her life experiences, including the highs and lows of being married to a president of the United States. Her stories are completely relatable which makes this book a great gift for any woman in your life.
#2: Educated by Tara Westover
Another fantastic memoir by another phenomenal woman. Tara Westover’s memoir reads like an elaborate story but knowing that this novel chroniclers her life is something else. Anyone that enjoys a book about perseverance will love this one.
#3: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Wonder by R. J. Palacio is a fiction young adult book that will tug at your heart strings. The novel follows the life of a young boy with facial deformities and the friends and family that surround him. A great gift that will give the reader all the feels.
#4: Circe by Madeline Miller
Hoping for a book with strong pose and a timeless story? Look no further than Circe by Madeline Miller. The novel beautifully transforms Circe’s myth into a story of female empowerment. An excellent gift for any reader!
#5: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
This non-fiction book written by a neurosurgeon diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer will inspire you to live your life to the fullest. An extremely moving memoir that reflects on what makes our lives worth living, the book is the perfect gift for that person that enjoys thinking on some of life’s most difficult questions.
#6: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This international bestseller tops charts for a reason. The book is well-written, the story is engrossing, and the characters (especially Death) are enchanting. Following a young girl during Nazi Germany, the book is perfect for readers of all ages who love historical fiction.
#7: His Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman
A fantasy story with witches, daemons, and armored polar bears is the perfect gift for the dreamer in your life. Bonus: HBO is airing His Dark Materials based on the books. So your person can read the books then get hooked on the HBO show!
#8: Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
For the person who needs a pick-me-up and a laugh, look no further than Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis. A disarmingly honest and funny book, Hollis gives great advice for living a more passionate and fulfilling life.
#9: The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King
The Good Neighbor details Fred Roger’s unique and endearing life as an American icon. For anyone interested in biographies (or hoping to read about Mr. Rogers before seeing A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), this is a great and entertaining read.
#10: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
There’s something about rich people that we can’t get enough of and Kevin Kwan takes full advantage of that in his Crazy Rich Asians. A fun story with rich details, this book is great for the person that can’t stop watching rich celebrities on reality television.
#11: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
A gorgeous story with a Russian folklore foundation, The Bear and the Nightingale is the perfect gift for anyone that likes fairy tales. With action, betrayal, and adventure, the book flies right off the page.
#12: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Need a gift for someone that likes a little more grit in their books? Dark Matter is the book for you! It starts with a kidnapping and adds in some time travel, alternate universes, and a family in the middle of it all. Get this book for your adventure-loving buddy!
#13: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
The Devil in the White City details the Chicago World Fair, the changing of America in the 19th Century, and the first American serial killer. For the history buffs out there, Erik Larson is your guy. His ability to create a story-like non-fiction book is incredibly skillful and in no better way does he show it than in this book.
#14: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Unbroken follows the life of Louis Zamperini through his boyhood, his time as an athlete in the Olympics, and his fight for survival in World War II. An uplifting and powerful telling of an unforgetable man’s journey, this book is perfect for the person that loves a powerful true story about desperation, resilience, and triumph.
#15: Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari
Ansari makes the transformation of romance into a very relatable book about dating and relationships. A thoughtful and hilarious investigation into modern dating, Modern Romance is great for anyone in your life.
Alyssa Flores
Alyssa reads hundreds of books a year and is on a never-ending quest to find the perfect book.
