Books are the fail-safe gift we can always rely on. Giving someone a book is both personal and practical. It feels thoughtful to give someone a title you loved, or one you think they will enjoy. Additionally, there's a high chance they'll actually read the book, and it will look lovely on their bookshelf. Plus, these books are all available on Amazon, so if you need a last-minute present [1], there's really no better option than a great book. It feels personal and thoughtful, but it can be at your door in a matter of days, sometimes even hours. If you want to show your loved ones that you're thinking about them [2], or have someone to gift to that you're kind of stumped on, pick up one of these 25 books.
Whether you're looking for memoirs, novels, or cookbooks, these are the beloved titles that anyone will enjoy. If you're really feeling generous, you can grab a couple and create your own little personalized bundle, or you can gift them to the person in your life who can't wait to get started on the 2023 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge [3]. Plus, if you add one for yourself to the cart, we won't tell. Keep on reading to shop our picks!
A New Bestseller: Memphis: A Novel
"Memphis: A Novel" [5] ($15, originally $27) is, quite simply, a really good book. It's a story about women, family, generational trauma, and sacrifice. They will not want to put it down, and we completely understand why. Pick up one for them and one for yourself.
A Sports Book: Carrie Soto Is Back: A Novel
"Carrie Soto Is Back: A Novel" [6] ($18, originally $28) is about a tennis star who decides to come out of retirement for one final season. If you're a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid, you're going to love this book, but it's also a great look at the mental and physical toll being a professional athlete can take on a person.
A Top Selling Memoir: I'm Glad My Mom Died
Though the title is controversial, "I'm Glad My Mom Died" [7] ($17, originally $28) by Jennette McCurdy is a masterpiece. It's an unflinching look at a parent-child relationship with a backdrop of fame and celebrity in a way that's honest, funny, and brutal. It's something everyone should read.
A Novel Worth Talking About: The Vanishing Half
"The Vanishing Half" [8] ($12, originally $27) by Brit Bennett is a book I had to ration out over two days. I found myself utterly enthralled with the story, and continuously saying, "But what happens next?" as I was reading. The social commentary is powerful and poignant without being overwhelming. I loved it.
A BookTok Book: It Ends With Us
If you know someone who's deep in BookTok, and they haven't already read this book, they need this in their library. "It Ends With Us" [9] ($10, originally $17) is romantic, fun, and all anyone seems to be talking about right now. They'll be so excited to unwrap this title.
A Great Cookbook: Ottolenghi Flavor: A Cookbook
If they love to cook, they'll be so excited to receive this release, "Ottolenghi Flavor: A Cookbook" [10] ($22, originally $35), from the beloved chef Yotam Ottolenghi. It'll make even the most committed carnivore excited about plant-based recipes.
A Gift For Everyone: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
"Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance" [11] ($10, originally $18) is a game-changing book. If there's something in your life you want to improve upon, read this, because it will help relieve the mental block that talent alone drives success. Plus, the research is fascinating, and it will give you a whole new understanding of success.
A Coffee Table Book: Peter Lindbergh: On Fashion Photography
If they love fashion and coffee-table books, this "Peter Lindbergh: On Fashion Photography" [12] ($61, originally $80) makes for the perfect present. It's a statement piece they'll love to look through, and is a collection of some of the late Peter Lindbergh's most striking images.
A Great Novel: Where the Crawdads Sing
Where the Crawdads Sing [13] ($22, originally $28) is the perfect gift for the person who loves to read novels, and keeps saying how they've been meaning to pick this one up. They won't be able to put it down.
For the Person Who Loves Memoirs: A Promised Land
A Promised Land [14] ($17, originally $45) is exactly what they want to unwrap. It's a long, but fun, read, and manages to be thoughtful, enlightening, and inspiring all at once. It's a great book to give as a gift, especially if they didn't already devour it when it first came out.
A Fantastic Novel: Transcendent Kingdom
Most literature-lovers will be excited to read Yaa Gyasi's sophomore novel, "Transcendent Kingdom" [15] ($11, originally $16). It's worth every single bit of hype, and is one of those books you'll be thinking about long after you've finished reading.
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
"Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" [16] ($14, originally $32) is a powerful and thought-provoking read. It's a perspective-shifting look at American society, and it's likely already on their wish list.
For the Host: The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
In a time when gathering has changed, reading "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters" [17] ($14, originally $28) will provide them with a new perspective on being with the people we love. This is a perfect host gift.
A Powerful Read: My Own Words
"My Own Words" [18] ($11, originally $20) by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should be on everyone's bookshelf. She's a fantastic role model, and this would be a great gift for a college student [19] or a young woman in your life.
For the Person Who Loves Self-Help: Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life
Part memoir, part self-help book, "Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life" [20] ($9, originally $17) is a poignant book that will blow them away. It's a fascinating read, and is something that might just have them considering group therapy.
For Mystery Readers: The Boys from Biloxi: A Legal Thriller
Mystery-lovers won't be able to put down the new John Grisham title, "The Boys from Biloxi: A Legal Thriller" [21] ($14, originally $30). It's gripping and exciting, as all great mystery books are, but this time, there's a legal aspect too. This is perfect for the week in between Christmas and New Years.
A Fascinating Read: Humans
"Humans" [22] ($16, originally $35) tells the stories of people all around the world. Open to any page, and be prepared to laugh, cry, and feel connected to humanity. If they follow the Humans of New York Instagram account, they'll know how gripping these stories are.
For the New Home Cook: Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
Even the most amateur of chefs will find beloved recipes in "Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook" [23] ($19, originally $35). It's filled with delicious delicacies you'll want to spend the entire holiday season whipping up, and you can never go wrong with an Ina Garten recipe.
A Book to TV Show Title: Little Fires Everywhere
If they haven't read Little Fires Everywhere [24] ($13, originally $27) yet, now's the time! Plus, if they've seen the show, the book will become that much more interesting. It's a great book, and would be a perfect addition to their bookshelf.
A Poetry Book: Home Body
Rupi Kaur's collection of poetry, "Home Body" [25] ($7, originally $17), is a perfect present. It makes for a great stocking stuffer, and is one of those presents that they can return to over and over again. Once they start reading, they'll be hooked.
A Unique Business Book: Shoe Dog
"Shoe Dog" [26] ($9, originally $20) by Phil Knight, the creator of Nike, has the unique distinction of being a memoir and a look inside one of the most impactful companies of our time. Knight is a master storyteller, and they will love this book whether they're a fitness fanatic or they don't own a pair of running shoes.
An Empowering Title: Untamed
"Untamed" [27] ($14, originally $28) by Glennon Doyle is already on my "greatest of all time" list. The book is a powerful manifesto on creating a life you want and embracing all that you are. After reading it, I sent it to my best girlfriends, because I think it should be required reading. It's also written in little vignettes, so it's easy to just open a page and get some magic.
For History Buffs: 21 Lessons For the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari's most famous book is "Sapiens", but I'm personally a fan of "21 Lessons For the 21st Century" [28] ($12, originally $20). It's a good one if you want to pick it up and just flip to an individual lesson.
A Great Gift For Coworkers: Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success
"Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success" [29] ($13, originally $18) will forever alter the way you think about operating in the workplace, no matter what you do for a living. Frankly, it will alter how you operate in the world. I couldn't recommend this enough.
A Powerful Read: Educated
"Educated" [30] ($13, originally $28) by Tara Westover is a story that you can't believe is actually true. I read it in a book club with some of my friends, and though we all have different tastes, we were all equally blown away by Westover's courage, strength, and genius. I'd recommend it to anyone.
A Thoughtful Gift: Devotions
"Devotions" [31] ($18, originally $30) by the late Mary Oliver is a book I have by my bed. I love poetry, and Oliver was a genius at the medium. I know I can open to any page, read just one poem, and have a shift in my perspective. You can thank me later.