I have a requested Christmas Gift Guide for you today, one for the Readers- some favorite book selections. This Christmas Gift Guide is my fifth this season! (I will link all the gift guides at the end of this post for you). What I wanted to say is that putting these together has actually helped to get me on the ball. I have been ordering things after I do my gift guide, because I am like these are good ideas! đ Honestly though books are my favorite thing to get for my kids and I love a good book. One year a friend made me a book tower and gave me like 8 of the top books of the year. It was the best gift ever!
Before you see my Christmas Book Guide (for everyone). I first want to say that I surveyed my Instagram Readers and also a couple of my good friends who are avid readers. I complied my favorites and actually most of them were all requested by others too! So here you go and I have a description and why I picked these books after the Christmas Gift Guide.
Christmas Gift Guide- Books for Her!
#1- The Bronze Horseman Trilogy HERE
This book series is by far a favorite. I was addicted to finishing them. I have about 6 friends and my sister who could not put them down either. It is a love story in the middle of war, when Hitlers army attack Russia. Oh man they are just so good. BUT- I want to warn you there is a chapter of descriptive “relations” you can easily skip over the chapter. They are so well written. You will want to read the entire series. Give this to a sister or a friend! Description below..
“The war has not yet touched this city of fallen grandeur, or the lives of two sisters, who share a single room in a cramped apartment with their brother and parents. Their world is turned upside down when Hitler’s armies attack Russia and begin their unstoppable blitz to Leningrad. Tatiana meets Alexander, a brave young officer in the Red Army. Strong and self-confident, yet guarding a mysterious and troubled past, he is drawn to Tatianaâand she to him. Starvation, desperation, and fear soon grip their city during the terrible winter of the merciless German siege. Tatiana and Alexander’s impossible love threatens to tear the Metanova family apart.”
#2- Sarah’s Key HERE
We read this for book club a couple years ago and it was a favorite of the group. I can still remember it so well and the feelings I felt when I read it. Another Historical Fiction! My mom loved this book as well as my sisters and friends and Instagram poll recommendation. Description below-
“Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten year-old girl, is brutally arrested with her family by the French police in the Velâ dâHivâ roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family’s apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours.”
#3- A Voice in the Wind- The Lion Series- HERE
The Lion Series were listed by about 3 or 4 readers on my Instagram as favorites. We read these this past year for book club and I told my sister and mom to read them and they all loved them. I really, really enjoyed this series. Description below-
“This is a beautiful story about a Christian woman living with a Roman family. Hadassah is truly a child of God and a servant to fellow human beings. She endures so much through her service. She is an inspiration for living a blessed life, putting God first and patience.
It’s not just the story about this young woman. This book talks about the decadence that existed in the Roman empire at the time. It beautifully contrasts living in this world vs that of God. It’s a book of hope and miracles- all things are truly possible through God. If one thinks about the Roman empire and what is happening in the world today, we need more Hadassah’s to win us over to God.”
#4- These is my Words HERE
I read this book a while ago but I still say it is one of my favorite novels. It was another book club fan favorite. We vote at the end of the year a favorite book and this was one! Below is a description…
“A moving, exciting, and heartfelt American saga inspired by the author’s own family memoirs, these words belong to Sarah Prine, a woman of spirit and fire who forges a full and remarkable existence in a harsh, unfamiliar frontier. Scrupulously recording her steps down the path Providence has set her uponâfrom child to determined young adult to loving motherâshe shares the turbulent events, both joyous and tragic, that molded her, and recalls the enduring love with cavalry officer Captain Jack Elliot that gave her strength and purpose.”
Christmas Gift Guide- Books for Him!
#1- The Long Walk- A True Story of Trek To Freedom HERE
This book was another book club favorite years ago. My brother drives long distances so I helped him download it to Audible and he listened to it. He really liked it too! I really enjoyed this book and think most men would also. There is a movie of it also, something to look forward to after reading it! (My parents watched the movie and liked it).
“In 1941, the author and six other fellow prisoners escaped a Soviet labor camp in Yakutsk–a camp where enduring hunger, cold, untended wounds, untreated illnesses, and avoiding daily executions were everyday feats. Their march–over thousands of miles by foot–out of Siberia, through China, the Gobi Desert, Tibet, and over the Himalayas to British India is a remarkable statement about man’s desire to be free.”
#2- Now Discover Your Strengths HERE
Now Discover Your Strengths was published in 2001! And it is still one that I recommend. It comes with a quiz you take online and it will tell you your TOP 5 strengths. It was SO helpful for me to get to know myself better. I had my husband take the test and it helped me to understand him better too. It gives you descriptions and ways to use your strengths. We also read this book with the company I worked for, over 200 people took it and was so useful for everyone.
#3- The Four Tendencies HERE
I have not read this book yet but I did just get it. I love Gretchen Rubin, she is the voice behind one of may favorite podcasts “Happier”. This is her newest book on human nature and our natural tendencies. My husband and I have both taken the quiz that she has free online. It was very interesting and helpful to learn each other tendencies. (BTW I am a Questioner:). Below is a description…
“Gretchen Rubin realized that by asking the seemingly dry question “How do I respond to expectations?” we gain explosive self-knowledge. She discovered that based on their answer, people fit into Four Tendencies: Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels. Our Tendency shapes every aspect of our behavior, so using this framework allows us to make better decisions, meet deadlines, suffer less stress, and engage more effectively.
More than 600,000 people have taken her online quiz. The Four Tendencies will help you get happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. It’s far easier to succeed when you know what works for you.”
Christmas Gift Guide- Books for Kids!
#1- Chronicals of Narnia Series HERE
I think we all know this series. But so many recommended them reading as a family! I love that idea of giving this set as a family Christmas gift!
#2- Harry Potter Illustrated HERE
This is another one that would be a great family gift! We actually listened to Harry Potter on a long drive. Then we got this illustrated book and started it over again. If you haven’t seen the illustrated edition it is really, really beautiful.
#3- Serafina Series HERE
We read the last of this series this past summer. Both of my daughters and myself got into them! We passed them onto a friend, a 9 year old boy and he and his mom both liked them too. We hope they make them into a movie. If you like Harry Potter we think kids would like these! (My 6 year old listened to us read them, still a little harder for her, but great for my 8 year old to read).
#4- Smile HERE
I shared this one because Ella has read it twice (maybe three times) she reads it really quickly and likes it a lot! She is 9 and read the first when she was almost 8.
#5- Heidi HERE
I realized I have three copies of Heidi! They are all such unique cute covers too. And my girls and I finally read it this past year. I would read parts of it every night. I was in love and in awe with the message behind this book. So good for young kids and me too! We watched the movie after, so that was really fun and we had a little mini book discussion.
#6- Giraffes Can’t Dance HERE
This one made the list because we all love it! Finn likes the pictures and the girls love the story. I love the message behind the book and beating to your own unique drum.
#7- Fancy Nancy HERE
And who doesn’t love a Fancy Nancy book. This is one of our fun little Christmas favorites. Because Fancy Nancy’s house “is never is fancy except at Christmas time!” All of the Fancy Nancy books have been favorites of my girls. Lola is reading them really well right now.
I hope that helped with with some gift ideas for readers or maybe for your self! Does it make you want to snuggle up and read? I snapped the below pic of Kevin reading to Lola as I was coming downstairs. Can you tell we love books?
Below are the other Christmas Gift Guides I have already done-
Christmas Gift Guide for the Homebody (under $20)
Christmas Gift Guide for The Kitchen Lover
Christmas Gift Guide for White Elephant (non-gag) Generic Gifts for All
One more thing! Sometimes I know about deals before the public knows, just with my blog I get emails on things. I got an email from Target that said…
Save up to 40% off home Mon ONLY. Valid 12/4
Not sure what will be not he 40% off deals. ButI thought I would share some of my favorite pieces I recently came across. You can click on an image below to shop it. Some pieces are already on sale right now!
I would add pieces to your cart online that you want then you should get notified if it goes on sale or a reminder on Monday! If not check Target HERE to see the deals they have on Home Decor!
I’ve also read Sarah’s Key. A truly amazing book. I’ll have to check out your other recommendations.
It really is a wonderful book. Let me know if you read any of them!
This is the best gift guide yet. Since my boys were little, I would ask people to buy them books instead of a card(some would even write little notes inside the covers). I’m a huge fan of giving books, to everyone. If you take the time to look around then you can find the perfect book for anybody. Thank you! I’m ordering some of these today.
yes! I agree! I book is the best gift. I hope you like them!
I recently read Sarah’s Key. That book is stuck in my mind so vividly. I would recommend it to anyone as well. I wrote “The Bronze Horseman Trilogy” and “These is my Words” on my Christmas Wish List I’m giving my husband this weekend. I can’t wait to read them.
Also, I’d like to suggest a book for you – it’s called, “A Girl Named Zippy” by Haven Kimmel. Have you read it? If not, you should! It’s one of my all-time favorites. Happy Holidays!
YAY! You will enjoy those books.
And thank YOU for the book recommendation! I will for sure read it!