Looking for the perfect gift? Wondering what kind of book to get for your friend/sibling/niece and nephew/parent/grandchild? Are you hoping to receive books as gifts? Our staff are readers and gift givers just like you AND we have the advantage of being surrounded by books daily. Here, on the cusp of the holiday season, we give you a brief rundown of books that our staff recommend for both giving and receiving.
We hope you find something in our recommendations that suits someone on your list. Books are especially great gifts for kids. If you need more recommendations for young people, check out our lists from previous posts.
- Top 50 Books for Readers Ages 10-12
- Top 50 Books to Read With Your Child Before They Turn 5
- Middle Grade Books About Quirky Family Shenanigans
- New Picture Books We Love
For giving and receiving, our Technology Coordinator, Anson, highly recommends these two books:
Dragon Quest Illustrations – 30th Anniversary Edition
A stunning tribute to the iconic art of Akira Toriyama, showcasing decades of beloved character designs and world-building. With Toriyama’s recent passing and the highly anticipated release of the Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake, this collection serves as a heartfelt celebration of his legendary contributions to the series and a must-have for any fan of his timeless artistry.
The Console Chronicles
A beautifully curated love letter to gaming history, filled with stunning artwork and deep dives into iconic consoles and their impact. A must-read for any gaming enthusiast, it celebrates the nostalgia and evolution of the gaming world in a truly captivating way
Annie from Youth Services is anticipating Robin Wall Kimmerer’s new book The Serviceberry. “It’s described as, “A bold and inspiring vision for orienting our lives around gratitude, reciprocity, and community, based on the lessons of the natural world.” Annie says it’s a great reminder to slow down and look for connection during this holiday season.”
Annie says, “I also can’t wait to give this iSpy Christmas book to my nieces and nephews! After dinner, I love spending the early dark evenings together around a book.”
Kathy, our Deputy Fiscal Officer, recommends the book “Fast. Feast. Repeat.” by Gin Stephens. “It is a very easy to understand book on the importance of fasting and how to make sure you are fasting clean. I have read many books about fasting but I would say that this is the best one on the subject that I have read so far.”
Our director, Amy, said, “When my nieces were toddlers, I got them each a copy of Shoe-La-La. They loved that book! It has a cute story and a sing-song rhythm. At one point, I had to replace it for one of my nieces because my sister was reading more than once a day. My nephew really loved Dog Breath when he was little, specifically, The Horrible Trouble with Hally Tosis. My boys loved Chick Chicka Boom Boom; I had it memorized.”
Fran from Youth Services has a few favorites she recommends for gifting:
Clip Clop by Nicola Smee for a picture book or board book for young children.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson is juvenile fiction but also great for adults. “It’s especially humorous for people who have grown up in church,” she says.
The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson, consists of four books for ages around 11 and older. Fran says, “It’s super suspenseful with a plot twist at the end that is redeemed in the epilogue. These books are also great for a read-aloud. You can read a detailed reviewed here.”
Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, is a good pick for teens and adults, says Fran. This book is categorized as fiction but based on a true story.
In adult non-fiction, Fran recommends the biography, John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace by Jonathan Aitken.
Darlene, the Adult Services Manager, is looking forward to receiving and reading Cher: A memoir part one. Darlene says, “[Cher’s is] A life so big she needs to have two books to tell her life’s story.”
Tesa, Public Services Supervisor, loves getting cookbooks, especially ones with great pictures. “Yellowstone: The Official Dutton Ranch Family Cookbook, has great pictures of food (and Rip). This book sounds like a good Christmas present!”
Our Marketing Coordinator, Rebecca, is eyeing up the 35th anniversary edition of Rose Levy Berenbaum’s The Cake Bible. “I’ve used my copy so much, it is falling apart. I have a few of Berenbaum’s cookbooks and in all of them, she gives you helpful explanations and tips, explaining what certain ingredients and variations contribute to the final product. I’d love to have a shiny, fresh, updated copy of this classic and I’d happily give it as a gift for a new baker.”
Rebecca also recommends any children’s book by Kate DiCamillo. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is a personal favorite.
Denise in Public Services really enjoyed the book by Kristin Hannah “The Women,” an adult fiction book about nurses in the Vietnam War. She says, “Although it was fiction, a lot of research was done and real facts were given. And of course, since I’m also a nurse I can somewhat relate to their stories. But even on a bad day, the ER [where Denise also works] is still a lot better than what they went through! Everyone might have heard the stories from the male soldiers and medics but not much was heard about the women that served also and how important they were.”
This holiday season, we hope you find the perfect books to give and to everyone on your list. As long as it’s a book, you’re choosing well. Happy gifting to all!
Sincerely, Cornelius 