Wondering what to get that booklover in your life or looking to purchase a last-minute gift? We have got you covered with a list of the perfect books this holiday season for all types of readers on your holiday shopping list.
For your mom:
The Resurrection of Tess Blessing by Lesley Kagan
After being recently diagnosed with breast cancer, Tess is on a quest to set things right before her imminent death. She has the help of Grace, an imaginary friend/guardian angel, who knows Tess better than she knows herself. The list of to-dos she wants to accomplish is challenging and difficult, but the truth about Tess’ journey teaches laughter, family, forgiveness and happiness.
More: Moriarty and 10 December releases everyone will be reading
Stillwater Rising by Steena Holmes
The devastating elementary school shooting traumatizes the community of Stillwater Bay. Stillwater Rising is the story of the emotional aftermath weighing heavy on Jennifer and Charlotte’s friendship as they are trying to overcome the tragedy of what happened. Charlotte is trying to hold the town together as their mayor while helping the shooter’s mother regain a place in the community. Jennifer lost her son and wants to shut down the school and bury the past.
Peanut Butter and Naan by Jennifer Hillman-Magnuson
Jennifer Hillman-Magnuson knew her family needed a wake-up call. When her husband was offered a position in India, she saw it as the perfect opportunity for her family to unplug from their hectic, overindulgent lives in Nashville and gain some much-needed perspective. Jennifer shares the good, bad and hilarious moments of her family’s heartwarming journey, which will leave readers truly inspired.
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared when she was a small child. Jenna scans the pages of her mother’s scientific journals hoping she will find some clue to her whereabouts. She enlists the help of Serenity and Virgil, a psych and private detective. Jenna, Serenity and Virgil dig deep into the past, trying to find information that had been missed by the police all those years ago, and enticing snippets begin to emerge. What will Jenna learn about that fateful night? And will she be satisfied with what she finds.
Some Luck by Jane Smiley
Jane Smiley writes the story of Rosanna and Walter Langdon, and their children — Frank, Joe, Lillian, Henry and Claire — from 1920 through to 1953. It follows the journey of the births and deaths, the hopes and dreams, the rhythms of nature and the yearly rituals. Some Luck inspires and chronicles the uncertainties of daily life, the accidents of fate, the roles that each character chooses to accept or reject within the family and the unpredictable, often-dramatic effects of national events on people who have no control over them.
What is Found, What is Lost by Anne Leigh Parrish
Meet Anna, Lorraine, Freddie and Beth — four women who share blood and not much more, except that each is searching for something lost. Anna seeks to find her place in a new world. Lorraine looks for something to forget herself in. Freddie searches for herself without religion and Beth can’t find her soul in her mother’s guarded eyes. Explore the journey of motherhood and family in this intelligent and understanding novel that questions the deep connection between love and true faith.
For your BFF:
A Second Bite at the Apple by Dana Bate
Sydney Strauss is obsessed with food, and not just eating it, but writing about it. After working for TV’s biggest egomaniacs, she is now stocking shelves at the local farmers market. Soon after, Sydney starts writing the market’s weekly newsletter and her quirky stories start gaining attention from prominent food columnists. Sydney gets a chance at the story that could either make her career or cause it to burst into flames — along with her personal life and reputation.
The Unimaginable by Dina Silver
Jessica Gregory spent 28 years playing by the rules. She took a leap and moved from her small Indiana town to Phuket, Thailand. But her newfound routine is overturned with the arrival of Grant Flynn, who is sailing around the world and, like her, is trying to move on from a past tragedy. Jessica volunteers to help crew Grant’s boat, Imagine, and finds herself falling in love with him as the voyage gets underway. But when disaster strikes, Jessica must find her courage as unspeakable terrors threaten the crew.
The Look of Love by Sarah Jio
Jane Williams has inherited a gift: the ability to see true love even though she has never experienced it herself. On her 29th birthday, she is told she has one year to find and record the six types of love or else she will suffer never being able to find her true love. Through the next year, Jane learns about the relationships of those close to her, some satisfying, some heartbreaking.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
This is a post-apocalyptic novel about the collapse of our world due to Georgia flu, a vicious virus that wipes out the majority of humanity with frightening speed. The Traveling Symphony Kristen Raymonde is acting with vividly depicts life before and after the pandemic. Station Eleven tells a story about the relationships that sustain us, the brief nature of fame and the beauty of the world as we know it.
For your coworkers:
The Body Tourist by Dana Lise Shavin
Dana Lise Shavin shares her road to recovery from her battle against anorexia, mental illness and addiction in an insightful, heartfelt and comedic memoir. The journey to recovery is not a quick and easy process and this book chronicles her six-year pursuit to make her life whole again, including counseling jobs, her living situation and relationships — not only the personal ones, but the one with food as well. Shavin bares her soul across pages while being inspiring, brutally honest and absolutely hilarious.
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Yes Please is a rich and varied collection of stories, lists, poetry (plastic surgery haiku, to be specific), photographs, mantras and advice that will make you love Amy Poehler even more. With chapters like “Treat Your Career Like a Bad Boyfriend,” “Plain Girl Versus the Demon” and “The Robots Will Kill Us All,” Yes Please will make you think as much as it will make you laugh. Honest, personal, real and righteous, Yes Please is full of words to live by.
More: Amy Poehler and 9 other celebrity authors’ books you should read
Passionate Nutrition by Jennifer Adler
This powerful healthy-living guidebook will encourage readers to eat well, lose weight and embrace food as medicine. Part cookbook, part handbook and part memoir, this book provides techniques, tips and information to find your way to optimal health. With Adler’s personal story of recovering from a malnourished childhood and adolescence, readers will be inspired to embrace the healthy power of food.
For your sister:
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Madeline, Celeste and Jane are experiencing troubles, some certainly more serious than others; they are drawn together now that their children are in the same kindergarten class. They must learn to stick together. Big Little Lies is a take on the conflicts, secrets and betrayals that can poison relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and friends and neighbors.
More:Amazon’s best books of 2014 — how did they choose them? We have the answer
When We Fall by Emily Liebert
Ready for a fresh start, Allison Parker moves back to her hometown in the suburbs of New York accompanied by her 10-year-old son after her husband’s untimely death. When she returns, her husband’s best friend’s wife, Charlotte takes her under her wing. Little does Allison know that Charlotte is dealing with her own personal problems and tries to fill a void with this new friendship. Before long, Charlotte starts to see her own life through Allison’s eyes and realizes the cracks are apparent in her seemingly perfect life. This emerging friendship seems to be the anecdote that the pair needs, until everything falls apart.
Kitchen Love Story by Camille Finan
Do you know anyone who is crafty and creative? This book is perfect for that handy friend! Kitchen Love Story is the perfect guide to cabinetmaking from a female for females. Camille Finan shares numerous lessons on transforming your kitchen into a beautiful and functional paradise. She will inspire and empower you to solve those horrible kitchen enigmas with affordable and practical techniques.
Leave a Comment