Rose City Reader: A Round-up of Reviews: Six Gift-Worthy Books Sure to Surprise
Who doesn’t like getting books for gifts? It’s my favorite part of holiday gift giving! I haven’t gotten as clever as Christie at Raising Whasians with her adorable Christmas Book Advent Tree, pictured above, but lots of books get unwrapped at my house Christmas morning.
One snaggle with choosing books for gifts is worrying if the person has already read the book! Here are some ideas for recently published books that have flown under the radar. There’s probably someone on your list who would enjoy one of these:
A Small Earnest Question by J. F. Riordan. This is the fourth book in Riordan’s North of the Tension Line series set on Washington Island, a remote island in the Great Lakes. Fiona Campbell is the main character at the center or an eclectic mix of locals, visitors, pets, and even goats for the goat yoga classes. This fourth book involves the grand opening of a remodeled hotel and the island’s first literary festival, but the point of the series is to wallow in the charm.
This one is perfect for all the pumpkin spice latte lovers on your list. Riordan brings readers up to speed enough to enjoy this as a stand-alone, or splurge on the set of four.
Happy holidays, readers! If you’re searching for the perfect gift for your friend, family member, or colleague, we’ve got you covered. Even better: every single one of these books is 40% off when purchased on ipgbook.com! Check out our recommended gifts, and then head over to IPG’s website and use the code IPGHOLIDAY40 to get 40% off from now through December 31st, 2020!
Gifts for Kids
The Adventures of Bubba Jones Series: Explore America’s national parks with Bubba Jones and his time traveling family. This graphic novel series is perfect for inspiring kids to get outside and learn about the outdoors.
Hide!!!:Hide!!! is an interactive children’s book that not only tells the story of a game of hide-and-seek, but readers can also ‘seek’ for other objects hidden in the illustrations.
My Feet Aren’t Ugly: Debra Beck provides a wonderful book full of advice for growing up as a teenage girl. This is the perfect gift for pre-teen and teens to learn how to tackle pressing issues like bullying and social media.
Gifts for Dads
A Game of Inches: The third installment in the Jack Patterson series has everything dad’s love: politics, sports, and mystery. It’s a gripping story of murder accusations and the politics of professional sports.
Hidden Falls: This book is perfect for those who might not know what genres they like (or for those who don’t know what genres their dads like to read). Kevin Myers intertwines mystery and family drama to concoct a story that is both thrilling and comedic.
Anchored:Everyone’s dad knows Ron Burgundy, or at least they know of Will Ferrell’s character in Anchorman. The real journalist Mort Crim tells the story of his life and his persistent search for truth.
Gifts for Moms
North of Tension Line series: Fans of Jan Karon and Jane Austen will delight in J.F. Riordan’s North of the Tension Line series. Riordan combines engaging characters, wry humor, and observations of everyday life that make her books feel like talking to an old friend.
Woman in the Park: If your mom loves psychological thrillers, she’ll love The Woman in the Park. Filled with shocking twists, secrets, and lies, this story is reminiscent of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.
Red Carpets and White Lies: Written by The Real Housewives of Miami alum Lea Black, avid reality TV watchers will love Red Carpets and White Lies for its drama, secrets, and scandals.
Gifts for Coworkers
Big Ten of Grammar:Do you have a coworker that struggles with the difference between “who” and “whom”? They’ll love this digestible grammar guide that highlights how to correct the ten most common errors in English grammar.
Success Freak:Perfect for the coworker who needs a little motivation, Success Freak combines helpful exercises and step-by-step activities to help you master 7 essential skills that will transform your life in only one week.
Reboot Your Life:After a year like 2020, it’s easy to feel burnt out and uninspired. Reboot Your Life will encourage you and your coworkers to re-examine your priorities, re-evaluate your career, and come back after the holidays feeling refreshed and excited.
Gifts for Grandparents
Always Have Popsicles:A long-time favorite among grandparents, Always Have Popsicles is filled with thoughtful ideas that will inspire new and seasoned grandparents alike to develop a meaningful relationship with their grandchildren.
Garth Williams, American Illustrator: As the illustrator for iconic American classics like Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and The Rescuers, it’s likely your grandparents grew up with Garth Williams’ drawings. This biography of his inimitable career will bring their childhoods back to life in a beautiful and nostalgic way.
Do Not Go Quietly: Winner of 9 national book awards, Do Not Go Quietly is an inspiring call to action and guide to a life of greater meaning, consciousness, and passion for those “who weren’t born yesterday.” If your grandparents ever complain about aging, this is the book for them.
Of course, our Holiday Gift Guide wouldn’t be complete without a few goodies from some of our favorite local bookstores! These goodies make perfect gifts for book lovers who already own every book on their TBR list.
Books Are Magic Mug
Sip, sip, hooray! We’re loving this clay and ceramic mug from Brooklyn-based independent bookstore, Books Are Magic.
McNally Jackson (multiple NYC locations) knows the key to our hearts. Also available as a tee, this adorable, cozy sweatshirt is the perfect addition to any book lover’s wardrobe.
Are you and your family in need of a new quarantine puzzle? This bookshelf puzzle from Books of Wonder in Chelsea and the Upper West Side will bring hours of bookish entertainment.
