The Gift Edit: Recommendations From My Bookish Friends
A curated guide of the perfect books to gift your closest friends and family.
Fun fact: my birthday is in July.
And while I love, love, love a birthday celebration, it felt a little self-indulgent to dedicate an entire post to myself.
Instead, I asked some of my favourite bookish Substackers to share the books they would gift to others, curating a bible of gifting recommendations perfect for celebrating your nearest and dearest.
Please do support the writers who contributed, I can personally attest to the wonderful work they all produce. We hope this sparks inspiration for your own gifting, and feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments, we’d all love to hear them!
Kelly at Book Beveling
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
Every Day I Read by Hwang Bo-Reum
Who would you gift it to?
A librarian, English teacher, or friend from a book club.
Why is it the perfect gift?
The short essays, or maybe they’re more meditations on different aspects of reading, is the sort of book you can pick up from the shelf to read just a snippet. It’s perfect for a pick-me-up if you’re in a reading rut and the cover will look gorgeous on any shelf.
Gabriella at Memoirs of a Romance Reader
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Who would you gift it to?
Sister, mom, partner, friend, colleague—anyone!
Why is it the perfect gift?
Lessons in Chemistry includes themes such as systemic sexism and gender inequality in male-dominated fields that I think would resonate with women of all ages, but young women especially. Gender inequality remains a major issue in certain industries today, and while the book is set in the 60s, many of its elements feel very appropriate in the current cultural climate. Elizabeth Zott is a badass FMC, and you can’t help but love her and root for her from start to finish! There’s a sprinkle of romance, too, which I personally enjoyed. The TV adaptation came out on Apple TV a few years ago.
Claire at The Reading Chair
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
One of my favorite books to gift is Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King.
Who would you gift it to?
Anyone really - but a close friend, relative, or reading buddy/fellow book lover for sure!
Why is it the perfect gift?
I love gifting short story collections because they are accessible and just a little unique compared to gifting a novel or nonfiction book. I like that they invite the reader to pick it up and read on occasion, it isn’t a full-on commitment. Lily King’s writing abilities really shine in this collection, each story showcases her emotional depth and observant wit, and it’s a great foray into contemporary literary fiction for curious readers.
Erika at Erika’s Book Club
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
I would buy The Uncool by Cameron Crowe.
Who would you gift it to?
For my brother.
Why is it the perfect gift?
My brother has the best music taste of anyone I know, so I’m certain this book would ~strike a chord~ with him. Crowe writes fantastic stories about the iconic bands he interviewed and I felt like I learned so much about rock history. I know my brother will love hearing the stories behind the famous songs he listens to today.
TreNesha from TreNesha Reads The Room
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
“Good People” by Patmeena Sabit
Who would you gift it to?
I would gift it to anyone who is obsessed with True Crime stories.
Why is it the perfect gift?
It’s a fast moving book, an excellent audio listen. It also captures the vibe of a true crime documentary perfectly while also being kind of critical about the industry. I think they’d love it.
Ingrid from Book Letters
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie
Who would you gift it to?
For my sister-in-law.
Why is it the perfect gift?
Because it celebrates women and women’s friendships in their power, their grief and their longing. I adored this book.
Mary at Booked By Mary
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
The Love Trials by Claire Fraise
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
Who would you gift it to?
I’d give The Love Trials to one of my best friends.
I Hope This Finds You Well is going to any corporate coworker or honestly even my boss.
Why is it the perfect gift?
The Love Trials is Ghostbusters meets Criminal Minds with a little Saw and Scooby Doo thrown in for good measure. Our main character Eden joins a team of paranormal investigators tracking down serial killers who come back from the dead to possess innocent people and keep killing. It’s paranormal, enemies-to-lovers, with a morally grey MMC... so basically catnip. Recent favorite of mine, a little cringe in some parts but that also made it more fun for me.
In I Hope This Find You Well, an admin worker accidentally gains access to her colleagues’ private emails and Teams messages and decides to use that knowledge to save her job (iconic, honestly). It’s perfect for anyone who’s survived corporate America and has a dry sense of humor. I laughed out loud listening to it, and it sneaks up on you with how heartwarming it ends up being. Highly recommend.
Elle at Elle Reads Library Books
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
Who would you gift it to?
Honestly, anyone. This is a great pick for a sister, friend, or colleague. It doesn’t matter. There’s something for everyone!
Why is it the perfect gift?
I received this book as a gift myself, and it gave me the courage I needed to change the direction my life was going. It’s the kind of book that works for anyone. You don’t need to have watched a single episode of Barefoot Contessa or ever set foot in a kitchen to feel Ina’s warmth and get swept up in her story. We could all use a little of her feel-good magic and reassurance that, if we take the leap when the luck happens, it will all work out.
Olivia at Booked & Busy
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Funny Story by Emily Henry.
Who would you gift it to?
Little Women — Anyone of any age! Whether a friend in their 20s or my grandma, this book has a little bit for everything for all readers.
Funny Story — I’d recommend this to a friend (of the same age — late 20s) who typically doesn’t read romance.
Why is it the perfect gift?
Little Women — Because it’s a reflection of who I am, what I love, and my fears, insecurities, and wonder about the world. Louisa May Alcott told a story of four sisters and I like to say that I find bits of myself in each of them. But I also think this book has something for everyone: romance, family dynamics, sisterly love, grief, the pains of growing up, and youthful nostalgia.
Funny Story — Emily Henry captured Miles and Daphne’s love story extremely well, but she also painted Daphne’s character to be strong and independent after years of feeling less than and not enough. That’s something I love about not only romance novels, but Emily Henry’s romance novels, and something almost anyone can empathize with.
Laura at What To Read Next
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
Let’s Not Go Overboard Here by Erica Hendry
Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian
Primrose Murder Society by Stacy Hackney
Who would you gift it to?
For the Millennial Bestie who loves Bravo
For your friend who has been watching Heated Rivalry non-stop
For your sister who is obsessed with Gilmore Girls but wish it had some true crime
Why is it the perfect gift?
A suspected murder mystery aboard a billionaire yacht trip that has all of the vibes of Below Deck Mediterranean. As a guest, your job is to figure out the disappearance of a socialite that may have been killed by her boyfriend or perhaps evil Jax Taylor doppleganger (VPR).
Two TV stars that have been forced to act in every scene for 7 seasons are now forced to fake a friendship and perhaps something more. This book has your favorite campy sci-fi show takes, a slow burn relationship and a great representation of anxiety, childhood trauma and OCD. So good.
Mother and daughter are destitute after the husband/father leaves town after committing health care fraud. They move to a senior living facility to clean up after a lost relative’s old apartment. New reward for the 20 year mystery is in place and they both have to work together to solve the murder mystery to earn 2 million dollars.
Emily at Whims & Inconsistencies
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Julia Song Is Undateable by Susan Lee
Who would you gift it to?
I’d buy it (and did buy it) for my dad!
I’d buy this for a girlfriend who is skeptical about contemporary romance.
Why is it the perfect gift?
This book is about the end of the world, but it isn’t too heavy. It makes you think, but it doesn’t hurt your head. It’s a puzzle to solve and it’s full of hope. If your dad loves the DaVinci Code and National Treasure like mine does, he’ll probably love Project Hail Mary. And when he’s done, you can watch the movie together!
This friend probably doesn’t expect to be gifted a romance novel, just as skincare CEO Julia Song doesn’t expect her meddling grandmother to scheme up a plan that will force her out on three dates. A perfectly executed blend of romance novel tropes and original territory, Julia Song will leave your friend longing for more and questioning whether she, too, spends too much time at work and not enough time reading romance novels.
Lauren at Book Talk With Lauren
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
Little Wonder by Sophie Chen Keller
Who would you gift it to?
It’s perfect timing that you asked for a prompt because it’s my mom’s birthday in July and she is a HUGE reader.
Why is it the perfect gift?
My mom is a big fan of contemporary fiction and historical fiction, and requires that a book has a GOOD ending albeit joyous or heartbreaking. I think Little Wonder by Sophie Chen Keller will be the perfect book for her to read next. It’s a beautiful historical story about a mother and son’s journey to find each other years later. She will love relating to the mother! Although a heartbreaking read, it left with such a fullness in my heart!
Alicia at Reads With Alicia
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt
Who would you gift it to?
Anyone, including people who haven’t read in a while!
Why is it the perfect gift?
Tova is a widow working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium to keep her grief at bay, which she has been trying very hard to do since her 18-year-old son mysteriously vanished on a boat over thirty years ago and, even more so, now that her husband has passed. She gets to know cantankerous Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who thinks humans are both incredibly silly and beautiful and who, in his infinite wisdom at the end of his life, has worked out how Tova’s son died and is now trying to tell her. Remarkably Bright Creatures is just quirky enough to capture attention, while remaining universal enough that any reader can draw from its tenderness, especially the diverse ages of its characters.
Alicia has already reviewed in full if you want to find out more here!
The Scripted Society
What book would you buy someone as a gift?
Shatter Me (Book 1) by Tahereh Mafi.
Who would you gift it to?
A friend or colleague who already loves to read and shares a similar taste in books.
Why is it the perfect gift?
To me, the best part of gifting a book is the connection it creates. Shatter Me is the perfect choice because it is incredibly fun to talk about. Sharing a favorite book with a friend or colleague means you get to fangirl together, stress-free and without judgment, over your favorite scenes. Gifting a book you love isn’t just giving a story; it’s giving you both a way to bond, laugh, and obsess over a shared interest together, which is the best gift in the world.
And finally, a small note: myself, along with many of the creators featured in this post, publish our content for free. We write because we genuinely love books and enjoy sharing our enthusiasm with other readers.
If you enjoyed this post, I’d be so grateful if you’d consider subscribing and engaging. Your support, whether through reading, commenting, or sharing, helps make this worthwhile and allows our little bookish community to continue growing.
Whilst I can’t promise you the world, I can promise plenty more book reviews, recommendations, and a whole host of thoughts and feelings along the way.
See you in the next post!
Lovely post and idea!!
I love this list -- added a few to my TBR, which is buckling under the weight of unread books at this point.