The gift-giving season is fast approaching. What books are great as gifts for others?
What books do you love to give as gifts?
Julie:
Gifting a book is super difficult, I think. You really have to know the person’s interests, and even know whether or not that person already has the book! Gift giving, in general, is a stressful thing for me and I tend to go the gift card route to avoid the awkwardness of the person: a) not liking it or b) already having the thing I thought was so perfect.
Still, there are some books that are amazing gifts that keep on giving in their time and adventure and whimsy. You just have to know your person well.
For a young adult, the Harry Potter series is pure perfection as a gift. I mean, provided they haven’t read it yet, of course. But introducing someone to that magical world is just fantastic.
A great gift for an adult, especially an adult who may have lost his or her love of reading because life gets in the way, an awesome gift would be the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It is an easy and quick read, full of fun sci-fi and humor, so is all around a great choice.
Lynn:
I agree with Julie. Gift giving (and receiving) is complicated. I received Dead Men Do Tell Tales two years in a row. My mom clearly thought I’d appreciate it. And thought the same thing the next year when it came out in paperback.
I like to give books to my nieces and nephews. But as I don’t read a lot of kids books, I depend on the helpful suggestions of the staff at bookstores. Especially Blue Willow. Their staff is great at recommendations. Plus, I’m encouraging reading AND supporting my local book store! Last year, I was on a Neil Gaiman kick and gave them these:
Ok – sure. The last one isn’t Neil Gaiman. But it was equally good. I pre-read it to be sure!
Unless I really know what book a friend wants, like Julie, I’m pro-gift card. At least that way, I know my friends will get a book they really want. Instead of something they might not like.
How about you? Do you like to give books as gifts? If so, which ones?
Have to agree with Julie’s choices. Can’t go wrong with HP – and I love THGttG!
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I love gifting books and receiving books! LOL I don’t have particular books that I always give – I generally give a book that I’ve recently read and enjoyed. At least with adults. With kids, I give books that I enjoyed reading to my kids or books that my kids enjoyed reading themselves. 🙂
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I love giving books, but only if they already have a wishlist because otherwise I might give them something they already own. I used to get duplicates all the time before I started a wishlist on Amazon. Otherwise, I like to give giftcards to their favorite bookstore so they can pick out anything they want.
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