Nothing makes a better gift than a book. I love giving and receiving books. For me, it’s a way of saying, “Hey, I know this about you, and I think you might be interested in this.” In a way, it combines my interests with the recipient’s interests.

I have books on my bookshelves that stop time. I remember receiving a book of Maya Angelou’s poetry from my friend Pilar, inscribed with the message: “To a phenomenal woman.” At that point in my mid twenties, I was not feeling particularly phenomenal; my friend’s inscription and Angelou’s words buoyed me and brought me into the power of poetry.

There are many more books that stop time for me, but given that December beckons, let’s focus of the gift of books and highlight some titles that stand out for me. (Please note: Amazon links are included under each set.)

Some friends are getting:

Undead: Revived, Resuscitated, Reborn, by Clay Morgan

Imperfections, by Bradley Somer

The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green

Some family members are getting:

Hidden Gifts, by Elena Aitken

Unexpected Gifts, by Elena Aitken

Back to Blood, by Tom Wolfe

The Walking Dead, by Robert Kirkman

The Twelve, by Justin Cronin

5 Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth, by Matthew Inman

Some books on my list are:

Moranthology, by Caitlin Moran

The Blood of the Lamb, by Peter deVries

If I Stay, Gayle Forman

Everybody Sees the Ants, by A. S. King

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity, by Katherine Boo

Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts, by Julian Rubinstein

And I haven’t even talked about books for my kids.

How about you:
What books are you giving as gifts this year?
What books are on your Christmas list?
What’s a memorable book you received as a gift?