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The Best Books to Give As Gifts

25 Books That Make For the Perfect Gift This Holiday Season

As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.

Books are the fail-safe gift we can always rely on. Giving someone a book is both personal and practical. It feels thoughtful and personal 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. If you want to show your loved ones that you're thinking about them, or have someone to gift that you're kind of stumped on, pick up one of these 25 books.

Whether you're looking for memoirs or novels, 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 bundle. Plus, if you add one for yourself to the cart, we won't tell. Keep on reading to shop our picks!

Image Source: Amazon

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents ($15, originally $32) is the book everyone seems to be talking about right now. It's a perspective-shifting look at American society, and it's likely already on their wishlist.

Image Source: amazon.com
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
$15
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Ottolenghi Flavour: A Cookbook

If they love to cook, they'll be so excited to receive this new Ottolenghi Flavour: A Cookbook ($15, originally $35) from the beloved chef Yotam Ottolenghi.

Image Source: amazon.com
Ottolenghi Flavour: A Cookbook
$15
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Peter Lindbergh: On Fashion Photography

If they love fashion and coffee table books, this Peter Lindbergh: On Fashion Photography ($51, originally $70) makes for the perfect present.

Image Source: amazon.com
Peter Lindbergh: On Fashion Photography
$51
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Where the Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing ($11, originally $26) 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.

Image Source: amazon.com
Where the Crawdads Sing
$11
from amazon.com
Buy Now

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A Promised Land

A Promised Land ($24, originally $45) is exactly what they want to unwrap this year.

Image Source: amazon.com
A Promised Land
$24
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Transcendent Kingdom

Most literature lovers will be excited to read Yaa Gyasi's sophomore novel, Transcendent Kingdom ($17, originally $28).

Image Source: amazon.com
Transcendent Kingdom
$17
from amazon.com
Buy Now

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 ($18, originally $28) will provide them with a new perspective on being with the people we love.

Image Source: amazon.com
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
$18
from amazon.com
Buy Now

1000 Record Covers

Music lovers will want to flip through this 1000 Record Covers ($18) coffee table book all day long.

Image Source: amazon.com
1000 Record Covers
$18
from amazon.com
Buy Now

My Own Words

My Own Words ($11, originally $18) by the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should be on everyone's bookshelf.

Image Source: amazon.com
My Own Words
$11
from amazon.com
Buy Now

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 ($17, originally $27) is a poignant read that will blow them away.

Image Source: amazon.com
Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life
$17
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Sneaker Freaker: The Ultimate Sneaker Book

The sneakerhead in your life will appreciate Sneaker Freaker: The Ultimate Sneaker Book ($45, originally $50).

Image Source: amazon.com
Sneaker Freaker: The Ultimate Sneaker Book
$45
from amazon.com
Buy Now

A Time for Mercy

Mystery lovers won't be able to put down the new John Grisham title, A Time for Mercy ($18, originally $30).

Image Source: amazon.com
A Time for Mercy
$18
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Humans

Humans ($18, 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.

Image Source: amazon.com
Humans
$18
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Anxious People

Anxious People ($15, originally $28) has a unique premise, but novel obsessives won't be able to put it down.

Image Source: amazon.com
Anxious People
$15
from amazon.com
Buy Now

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 ($16, originally $35).

Image Source: amazon.com
Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
$16
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Little Fires Everywhere

If they haven't read Little Fires Everywhere ($10, originally $27) yet, now's the time!

Image Source: amazon.com
Little Fires Everywhere
$10
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Home Body

Rupi Kaur's latest collection of poetry, Home Body ($10, originally $17), is a perfect present.

Image Source: amazon.com
Home Body
$10
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Shoe Dog

Shoe Dog ($11, 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.

Image Source: amazon.com
Shoe Dog
$11
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Untamed

Untamed ($17, originally $28) by Glennon Doyle just came out this year, but it's 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.

Image Source: amazon.com
Untamed
$17
from amazon.com
Buy Now

21 Lessons For the 21st Century

Harari's most famous book is Sapiens, but I'm personally a fan of 21 Lessons for the 21st Century ($15). It's a good one if you want to pick it up and just flip to an individual lesson.

Image Source: amazon.com
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
$15
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success

Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success ($12) 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.

Image Source: amazon.com
Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success
$12
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Educated

Educated ($15, 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 equally blown away by Westover's courage, strength, and genius. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Image Source: amazon.com
Educated
$15
from amazon.com
Buy Now

The Vanishing Half

The Vanishing Half ($16, originally $27) by Brit Bennett is the latest book I've read, but it's another one I had to ration out over two days. I found myself utterly enthralled with the story, and it's easily the most engageing novel I've read this year. I found myself continuously saying, "But what happens next?" as I was reading, and the social commentary is powerful and poignant without being overwhelming. I loved it.

Image Source: amazon.com
The Vanishing Half
$16
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Devotions

Devotions ($22, originally $30) by 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.

Image Source: amazon.com
Devotions
$22
from amazon.com
Buy Now

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance ($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.

Image Source: amazon.com
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
$10
from amazon.com
Buy Now

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