Elizabeth: 2019 Gift Guide, Bookish Edition
Moira published her brilliant gift guide yesterday, and honestly, I think her format is brilliant. Who doesn’t like shopping for other people, especially this time of year? As opposed to thinking about my nuclear family as it looks somewhat similar to Momo’s, I decided to virtually shop for some very different friends I have in my life. If it’s a really good friend, you might want to look at a Book of Month Club subscription; I have given it as a gift, and I have received it as a gift — it’s really the best for a big reader.
And yes, don’t worry, I did find out ways to incorporate “Know My Name” into several of these categories.
For the friend who loves to read big, important books
“The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead has to be at the top of this list, if only because it sheds light on a uniquely American phenomenon: reform schools for “troubled” young boys. This entire category is mostly books I would call “hard but good,” which is one of my favorite types of read, and Whitehead’s book is at the top of this list. Serving suggestion: give to your friend with something like cookies or wine to ease the blow of what they are about to read.
Runners up: “Know My Name” by Chanel Miller | “The Testaments” by Margaret Atwood | “The Great Believers” by Rebecca Makkai
For the friend that loves a good scam story
Assuming they have already read “Bad Blood,” I’d have to go with "My Friend Anna” by Rachel DeLoache Williams — it’s an engrossing recap of what it was like to be scammed by one of the most prolific of our time: Anna Delvey. While it does get a bit repetitive at times, this is a first hand account of getting taken for a ride, and in that, it is fascinating.
Runners up: “Catch and Kill” by Ronan Farrow (just go with it, friends) | “Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber” by Mike Isaac
For the friend that loves to spend time in the kitchen
No, this isn’t another endorsement for a Ruth Reichl memoir, but rather a little about some cookbooks I’ve been loving this year. We do have to do more than read, at least some of the time. The one that I’m recommending to everyone (and have bought for a few people in my life) is “Dude Diet Dinnertime” by Serena Wolf. The food is delicious, it’s mostly healthy, and it’s easy to make — all three of my favorite things. (Also, if you don’t follow her on instagram, you’re missing out. She’s a delight).
Runners up: “Healthier Together” by Liz Moody | “Dinner Just for Two” by Christina Lane
For the male friend in your life (or Dad, brother, partner, work husband, whoever)
Without a doubt, “The Only Plane in the Sky” by Garrett Graff — obviously enjoyment of this isn’t limited to dudes as both Shannon and I loved it, but it’s definitely a book that I’d recommend for the boy in your life that doesn’t really consider themselves a reader. If you want to be more like Shannon than Elizabeth, I’d also recommend dropping a copy of “Know My Name” by Chanel Miller in their TBR.
Runners up: “The River” by Peter Heller | “Miracle Creek” by Angie Kim
For the friend who won’t stop talking about politics
Again, assuming they have already read “Good and Mad” by Rebecca Traister, I’d go with “How to be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. Admittedly, this was a book I didn’t know about but for bookstagram, but I am so glad I picked it up (and yes, a review will be coming soon!) As a white woman from Alabama, I recognize that I am imbued with a certain amount of privilege, but that also means that I have a responsibility to dismantle that, wherever possible. This is an incredible tale of racism, ethics, law, and privilege in the United States, and it’s a must read going into 2020.
Runners up: “Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win” by Jo Piazza | “The Book of Essie” by Meaghan MacLean Weir | Any of the books on Shannon’s Intro to Feminist Non-fiction, tbh
For the friend that loves to read in the bathtub
I only recently found Katherine Center’s books — “How to Walk Away” and “Things You Save in a Fire,” but I would definitely classify them as top bathtub reads. The women at the center of these works are complicated, messy, funny, and human, while the men that inhabit their lives are swoony. These books aren’t necessarily wrapped up in a nice little bow, but they are compelling and some of the better books I’ve read in a tub this year.
Runners up: “City of Girls” by Elizabeth Gilbert | “The Summer Wives” by Beatriz Williams
For the friend that loves a raunchy romance
“The Idea of You” by Robinne Lee is the only book I’ve ever read that made me blush in public. It’s a book that I had heard a lot about before I read it, thanks to the Bad on Paper podcast, and I was initially super skeptical about the pitch: One Direction fan fiction starring an older woman? I was pleasantly surprised by how emotional it was and how well-rounded the characters. That said, the sex scenes in this book are quite vivid, so I might recommend one of the below if the person is as WASPy as I am.
Runners up: “Well Met” by Jen Deluca | “The Bromance Book Club” by Lyssa Kay Adams | “Meet Cute” by Helena Hunting
For the friend who thinks she belongs in a different era
Y’all know I love a good piece of historical fiction, and it was really hard to narrow this down (I have written posts about this!) - I almost had about 10 runners up (maybe there will be a post coming soon on my top historical fiction works). However, “Dominicana” by Angie Cruz is the one that I would recommend here — it’s the story of Ana, who is married to a much older man and moved from her home to New York City in the turbulent 1960s. It’s a picture of a different time, it’s a coming-of-age story, it’s an immigrant story, it’s amazing. Trust me — and review is coming soon, I promise!
Runners up: “Time after Time” by Lisa Grunwald | “The Huntress” by Kate Quinn
For the friend who insists the book is always better
“Black Leopard, Red Wolf” by Marlon Jones - rights secured by the oh-so-handsome Michael B. Jordan - is coming to a movie screen near you next year - is sure to be an amazing movie, but I insist the book will definitely be better. It’s an amazing story of a mercenary looking for a missing child, but with some added magic: necromancy, witches, goddesses, and shape-shifters. One of my favorite books this year, and one that sadly hasn’t been reviewed over here at SFOL yet. I should change that soon.
Runners up: “The Guersney Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows | “Daisy Jones and the Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid | “His Dark Materials” by Philip Pullman
For the friend that likes to be only a little bit scared
“Ninth House” by Leigh Bardugo is the perfect choice in this genre; it’s got everything: magic! intrigue! murder! secret societies! a touch of romance! There’s honestly little more that I want in a book, and so this was the obvious choice here. Fair warning: this book is full of triggers and it’s incredibly dark, so it may not be for everyone on your list.
Runners up: “The Chestnut Man” by Soren Sveistrup | “The Whisper Man” by Alex North
For the friend who is young adult at heart
If you’ve read my reviews, you know I love a good royal story, and so “American Royals” by Katharine McGee is my recommendation for your friend who loves this genre (hey, we are all as young as we want to be). This first-of-a-series attempts to tell the story of what if George Washington had been the first King of the United States, not the first president — and what his heirs would be getting up to in modern times. It’s a quick and fun read, and I can’t wait for book 2 next year!
Runners up: “Red, White, and Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston | The President’s Daughter Series by Ellen Emerson White
Wow, that was fun. It’s a good thing we have a book blog, otherwise, I’d spend all of my money on books for people and these brilliant recommendations would be going into the ether. If you click on one of the links in this article and make a purchase, She’s Full of Lit may receive a small commission. It doesn’t add anything to your price — we promise! Thanks so much for your support.
