If you’re looking for books that would make great gifts during this bizarre year and really in ANY year, I hope this list will help. I’ve read tons of novels this year, but you won’t find any on this gift list. I personally find novels hard to give to someone else so I focused on nonfiction.
Please support your local bookstores!
The Best of Me
by David Sedaris: For the avid reader in your life.
This is the newest collection by Sedaris, though it’s really not new. It’s a compilation of stories and essays I’ve read or listened to before. I loved it anyway, maybe even more so because I could pay more attention to structure as I read. But if you have a friend or family member who is into Sedaris and doesn’t own all of his books, this would be a GREAT book to give as a gift.
Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan:
For the introvert in your life!
I loved the premise of an extreme introvert experimenting with “extroverting” for a year. Pan has a delightful writing voice. I’ve recommended this book a lot over the past few months and everyone has enjoyed it.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking
by Samin Nosrat: For the cook in your life.
This is a memoir and a science lesson all in one. I did the audio, which Nosrat narrates herself. I learned SO MUCH! Now I need the book for sure. I definitely want to see the charts she referred to a few times.
Peas, Love and Carrots by Danielle Renov: For the cook in your life.
This is a cookbook, but I read it cover to cover like an actual book and felt like I was in a full conversation with the author. I loved her intro and her long list of tips and all her directions in the recipes. I am not kidding that I read it ALL. My friend Robyn sent this one to me out of the blue. First of all, it was the loveliest gesture. Second, it has inspired my cooking a lot in the past few months. I’ve already made around 15 recipes. It’s a kosher cookbook, which also works well for anyone who avoids dairy since almost all of the recipes are either for meat or non-meat/non-dairy meals. My full review is here.
Here For It by R. Eric Thomas: For your friend or family member.
This collection of Thomas’s funny and smart essays was the right thing at the right time for 2020. I’ve already given it as a gift several times. Discussions of race, pop culture in the 90s and today, and so much more. I’ve been recommending it nonstop. Here I am recommending it at the Star Tribune.
Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby: For your friend.
I’m a big Irby fan, and I read everything she writes whether it’s in book form, internet form, or email newsletters. She’s incredibly funny in an original way. I bought my own copy, devoured it, then bought copies for a few friends earlier this year during the really strict lockdown days. You need to be okay with a lot of swearing.
Nobody Will Tell You This But Me
by Bess Kalb: For the mother and/or grandmother figure in your life.
I listened to the audio version of this and it was so good. I laughed and cried. I loved how Kalb captured her grandmother’s voice so beautifully and also showed her own mother with a voice of compassion. This year I’ve already bought copies for one friend and one for my mom.
Open Book by Jessica Simpson: For your friend or sister!
I highly recommend the audio of this memoir, which would make a great gift for a friend or family member using libro.fm, which is the fantastic audio service I use instead of audible because the purchase benefits whichever bookstore you choose instead of Amazon. Since I buy most of my books at Cream and Amber in Hopkins, MN, I chose for my audio purchases (through libro.fm) to be credited to Excelsior Bay Books in Excelsior, MN. I was really impressed with Simpson’s storytelling, honesty, vulnerability, and self-reflection. This window into the celebrity life was fascinating and eye-opening. One of my favorite nonfictions of the year! I see it’s only 6.99 on libro.fm today. I have no idea how long that will last.
Big Magic
by Elizabeth Gilbert: For the writer in your life.
I read this a few years ago, but listened to the audio again in 2020 because having Elizabeth Gilbert’s voice in my ear is the perfect start to new creative endeavors in any calendar year. I love the book more every time.
100 Cookies: The Baking Book For Every Kitchen with Classic Cookies, Novel Treats, Brownies, Bars, and More by Sarah Kieffer: For the baker in your life.
This book is impossible to find, but my friends who have it, love it, and I see that it’s going into another printing so it will be available again. I’d pre-order it for a gift to give by the end of the month. Hopefully! Makes me happy that Kieffer is a local cookbook author. (Local for me is Minneapolis.)
ALL THE BOOKS I’VE READ SO FAR IN 2020 ARE HERE. THE 2019 LIST IS HERE.
RECENT POSTS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP DILEMMAS ARE HERE.
*Affiliate links go to bookshop.org which keeps money in the independent bookstore community. The one exception is Peas, Love and Carrots, which is not sold on bookshop
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