It's hard to beat the gift of getting lost in a good book. And with winter approaching, cozy book time at home has never been more at the top of our wish list. But how do you pick and choose the best reads without having to speed read through a slew of Amazon previews? We've got your covered. Here are 14 books to consider for all the book lovers on your list, including kids!
For The Thriller-Obsessed
White Ivy by Susie Yang
Ivy Lin's immigrant grandmother taught her all about hiding behind her looks to pilfer and steal items to fit in with the suburban Boston crowd. When Ivy's mother hears about her criminal behavior, she sends her away to China. Once Ivy comes back to the states, she reconnects with her childhood crush and son of a wealthy political family Gideon Speyer. But when the ghosts of Ivy's past come up to haunt her, the newly perfect life she's played fate to achieve will soon come crumbling down.
For The Nostalgia Seeker
Memories in the Drift by Melissa Payne
After a tragedy that caused Claire to lose all that was important to her, all she's left with are fractioned memories and a traumatic past. Her father and friends in her small Alaskan town help her feign enough confidence to survive each day. When Claire's mother who abandoned her resurfaces at the same time as her ex-boyfriend, she is forced to relive her past while she learns forgiveness and to finally move past her memories.
For The Budding Poet
Home Body by Rupi Kaur
Home Body, Kaur's third installation of poetry, explores the same themes of what it means to be a woman while focusing on embracing growth and change. Kaur reminds readers to fill themselves up with love and light and the importance of meditating on the self.
For The Perfectionist
The Peculiar Fate of Holly Banks by Julie Valerie
Holly Banks struggles to appear as perfect as her put-together neighbors in Primm due to family problems, and her dog's digging of an old artifact that causes national media attention. Her facade of perfection crumbles down under all the spotlight makes. Twists of fate will soon change her life and the village of Primm forever.
For The Friend Who Could Use A Good Laugh
The Best of Me by David Sedaris
Through real stories, Sedaris tells comical accounts ranging from taxidermy shopping to mouse drowning. His accounts reveal all the surprises life has brought him and show that life is a rich and wonderful experience.
For The Dystopian Fiction Reader
Black Canary by Alexandra Monir
Dinah Lance first heard a woman sing at just eight years old. But, in a near-future world where women are stripped of their rights, such as working, singing, and learning, this observation was a dangerous one. In this origin story of Black Canary, Dinah is now seventeen, and she must avoid death while she uses her song to save women in Gotham.
For The Pal Who Just Moved To The 'Burbs
The Cul-de-Sac Warby Melissa Ferguson
Bree Leake is in the midst of her usual act of packing up and leaving when her parents face her with a tricky proposition. If Bree can stay in one spot for a year, her parents will give her what she's always wanted; her grandmother's house. These dreams are soon destroyed when her stubborn and attractive neighbor Chip McBride moves in, so Bree stages a difficult mission to drive him out of the neighborhood. Soon, their rivalry rage turns into romance.
For The Politics-Minded
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
In the first volume of former President Obama's memoirs about his political career, Obama takes reader on his journey of becoming the first African American president. Through brutal honesty and heartfelt reflection, Obama shares his belief that while American democracy is an ongoing experiment, the push for progress is never-ending and entirely possible.
For The Activist
Malcolm and Meby Robin Farmer
Roberta Frost, a bright but rebellious Black Philadelphia thirteen-year-old, copes with life's difficulties and her parent's struggling marriage through her poetry, writing, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Set during the height of the Watergate scandal, Roberta spirals into doubt about her religion and the adults in her life after a nun at her school makes a racist remark. When disappointment with her ineligibility in her school's essay contest puts Roberta into an enraged confrontation with her mother, familial truths are revealed.
For The Aspiring Nomad
The Bucket List by Kath Stathers
This invaluable guide to fun, fantastic, and life-affirming activities features an eclectic range of ideas such as self-improvement, sports-related endeavors, natural wonders, cultural experiences, culinary delights, and more. From glassblowing in the Czech Republic to swimming with dolphins in New Zealand, The Bucket List is the perfect gift for the passionate traveler—an around-the-world, continent-by-continent listing of beaches, museums, monuments, islands, inns, restaurants, mountains, and more.
For Young Readers
The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be by Joanna Gaines
This children's book will teach kids all about the importance of celebrating each other's differences. Through colorful illustrations, kids will read about a group of children making their own hot air balloons, in order to fill the sky with color. They will learn that in life, everything is more colorful and beautiful through teamwork and the celebration of each other's unique talents.
Leif and the Fallby Adam Grant and Allison Sweet Grant
This is the sweet story of an anxious and creative leaf who, through persistence, comes up with ideas to help make his fall from the treetop easier. Leif is about just how critical creating and failing is for personal growth.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girlsby Elena Favilli
Until 12/31, when you purchase a Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls book from RebelGirls.com, Rebel Girls will donate a book directly to First Book, giving young girls in low-income areas the chance to learn about and be inspired by the amazing and diverse real-life heroines who have and will continue to change the world. To date, First Book has donated 200M books and currently reaches 5M children annually.
Tomorrow I'll Be Kindby Jessica Hische
In Jessica's follow-up to Tomorrow I'll Be Brave, the award-winning illustrator (and friend of Brit + Co) uses her fresh and unique hand-lettering style to inspire kids to be grateful, helpful, and kind.
What's on your reading list these days? Share with us @BritandCo!
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