25+ Books to Gift This Holiday Season
Style is not just what you wear but who you are.
Don’t you love a good book rec? It’s the best kind of gift that can keep on giving. This is why I asked some of my stylish friends for their book gifting recommendations. Particularly for books that have been given to them in the past and made a difference in their lives… from the impact on their careers to learning self-compassion or diving into a novel to pull them out of reality and into the realm of the pages.
This assortment is diverse and wide-ranging. I’m confident there’s a good read in here for someone on your list. Happy shopping and happy reading!
Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World
by Eve Rodsky
"We are avid learners and readers and we love paying it forward by gifting some of our favorite books. One of our favorite reads for the year has been Unicorn Space by Eve Rodsky. As business leaders with busy lives, we both loved learning about how to create your own "unicorn space" – an activity separate from your role as a partner or professional that allows you to explore your creativity and lose yourself in the moment. We couldn't think of a better way to enter a new year than helping share this message with our friends and family."
-Carly Zakin & Danielle Weisberg / @carlyanddanielle @theskimm
by Kelly Corrigan
“I recommend it because it shows the strength, vulnerability, and determination of women. I love how it highlights the complexity of motherhood and childhood converging. The writing is excellent, witty, and gripping. Great holiday read!
Kelly is someone I knew many years ago when I was a new mother in California, and her book has been on my list for a while.”
-Chonda Jordan Nwamu
The Queens’ English: The LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Phrases
by Chloe O. Davis
“I heard Chloe speak at Left Bank Books. The book is beautiful, fun, and informative. I was even more inspired when I learned that Chloe is from St. Louis and went to my alma mater, Hampton University. The Queen’s English is my go-to gift for any occasion but especially this holiday season!”
-Leslie Gill / @rungforwomen
The Hare with the Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance
by Edmund De Waal
“The author is a famous artist/ceramicist from England, and this book makes tangible the major 20th century events in Europe & Japan through the personal story of his family and the emigration of two great uncles from Odessa to Paris & Vienna. I found out about the book from a story in the NYT. Can’t recommend it enough!”
-Andy Millner
by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray
“The Personal Librarian depicting the fascinating story of Belle da Costa Greene who was the personal librarian of J.P. Morgan and instrumental in building a world renowned collection of rare books, manuscripts and art that later became publicly accessible as the Morgan Library. She was one of the most prominent career women of her time but a lesser known fact was that she rose to acclaim in the early 1900s while concealing her identity as a Black woman.”
-Min Jung Kim / @stlartmuseum
Chasing Failure: How Falling Short Sets You Up for Success
by Ryan Leak
“Ryan Leak just spoke at Edward Jones. I love his encouragement that the fastest path to success and what if we said yes more than no when we are faced with opportunities, that may cause us to hesitate out of fear of failure.”
-Kristin Johnson
by Marie Forleo
“I heard Marie’s Super Soul Sessions talk in person before the book even dropped and knew I needed it! This is the book you want when you’re really stuck.”
-Tina Wells / @tinawells
The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness
by Morgan Housel
“What I love most about The Psychology of Money is the storytelling. Housel doesn’t lecture, nor does he prescribe. He leaves the lessons in stories and experiences and you can grab them for your own use.”
-Matt Hall / @hill_investment_group
Just Pursuit: A Black Prosecutor’s Fight for Fairness
by Laura Coates
"I really enjoyed reading Laura Coates’ book. You can pick it up and put it down whenever - it's very digestible - and you don't have to read it from start to finish. She was the keynote for my firm’s International Women's Day, and I read this in preparation for interviewing her."
-Karen Jordan
Bad Vibes Only: (and Other Things I Bring to the Table)
by Nora McInerny
“Nora is humorously relatable and finds beauty in the hard parts of life. This emotional collection of essays makes you feel seen and understood, whether you’re 30 or 60!”
-Eve Rodsky / @everodsky
Hello, Molly! by Molly Shannon [audio] +
Manifesto on Never Giving Up by Bernardine Evaristo
“Strong, smart women send me books about strong, smart women willing to share vulnerabilities, humor, and insights. Maeghan Moeller of Lusso recommended Hello, Molly! by Molly Shannon, which is especially wonderful as an audiobook because she reads it. Deborah Patterson, the greatest reader I know, recommended Bernardine Evaristo, who won the Booker Prize; I just finished her powerful biography Manifesto On Never Giving Up.”
-Ellen Sherberg
The Energy Clock: 3 Simple Steps to Create a Life Full of Energy – and Live Your Best Every Day
by Molly Fletcher
“Molly has spoken several times at our Bank of America national meetings. Molly is held as the “female Jerry Maguire” by CNN. She focuses on putting energy on the work that matters, creating a winning mindset.”
-Marilyn Bush
by Arkady Martine
“The 2022 Hugo Award for best novel. I designed and fabricated the 2022 Hugo Award, an 80-year-old-ceremony for science fiction.”
-Brian K. Ellison / @bkedesigns
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living (The Happiness Institute Series)
by Meik Wiking
“Why this book? My son, Ian Hammer, introduced me to the Danish concept of "hygge" (pronounced "hoo-ga") earlier this year. The Little Book of Hygge is the definitive guide on this philosophy of comfort, togetherness, and well-being. By embracing hygge, I believe that we can all become happier and find contentment and joy in all aspects of our lives.”
-Alana Muller / @coffeelunchcoffee
Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers
by Gabor Maté & Gordon Neufeld
“Gabor Maté is the author and he’s a groundbreaking child psychologist with great research in the area of child development. He makes the argument that much of our society is designed to separate children from their parents as early as possible, but the best thing for the child is to retain their primary attachment to the parents because the peer orientation only sets up the child for failure as their peers are incapable of providing the support needed for a satisfactory relationship.
This book is the most meaningful book I’ve read this year. It’s completely changed the way I think about successful parenting and child rearing. I found this author after listening to a Goop Podcast on attachment.”
-Diedre Gray
by Trina Paulus
“I was given this book as a child by my beloved Aunt and I have cherished it ever since. It is a hopeful story about life, acceptance, and becoming who you are truly meant to be. It’s simplicity and sweet artwork are everything we all need right now.”
-Stephanie Stewart / @stephaniestewartwellbeing
by Gregory David Roberts
“I had the opportunity to visit India several years ago to source gemstones, and I found the country both beautiful and intriguing. The people were so friendly and welcoming.
A gemstone dealer I work with knows of my love for India and gave me Shantaram as a gift. The novel details the adventures of a man who escapes from an Australian prison to India, and the adventures that occur as he creates a new life for himself.”
-Adam Foster / @adamfosterjewelry
by David Stark and Jane Schulak
“My friend David Stark, celebrated event design architect, is the co-author of this amazing tabletop decoration book. The book pairs historical table wares from the world’s finest design museums with pieces by contemporary artisans who reinterpret traditional crafts and styles. It’s the most beautiful and tactile treasured textbook. Gift to your chicest friends—no wrapping paper needed!”
-Cheree Berry / @chereeberrypaper
by Ken Liu
“My wife Laura knows me really well and discovered this sci-fi/fantasy series for me. I'm always looking for books in that genre that bring together great writing and world building with a story that can keep me engaged. Highly recommend this trilogy!
-Mark Sawyier
by Eckhart Tolle
“The book that I liked and felt most inspired by this year is Stillness Speaks, by Eckhart Tolle. I loved that I could pick it up for five minutes at a time and read a few pages and feel centered and connected, calm and at peace.”
-Jess Millner
by Kate Manning
“The book I'm most excited to give this holiday season is GILDED MOUNTAIN by Kate Manning. It's got something for everyone: beautiful prose, absorbing characters, fascinating historical detail about the development of the American west. It's one of the best books I've read in years, and I think deserving of lots of praise and attention.”
-Cristina Alger / @cristina.alger
Born Ready, the True Story of a Boy Named Penelope
By Jodie Patterson
“The media mostly portrays trans stories to be sad and tragic but our family knows better! My kids and I teamed up and wrote a book that shows a triumphant black trans boy who is loved, supported and in the end, wins the gold medal. Born Ready, the True Story of a Boy Named Penelope shows how an entire community can shift and change for the ones they love. For me, it was a joy to share with the world the beautiful reality of being transgender and loving someone who is transgender.”
-Jodie Patterson / @jodiepatterson
Radical Candor: How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean
by Kim Scott
“I found the book myself when I got a new job and needed guidance on how to be a strong leader and communicate effectively with different personalities. It has empowered me to shoot people straight but more importantly taught me when to be quiet and listen.”
-Alex Wolff
by Lindy Drew and Dessa Somerside
“I received this book as a gift which makes it extra special. It’s a poignant collection of photos and personal stories of the people in St. Louis. Both the photos and stories are beautifully presented.”
-Shelley Seifert
The Collected Works of Jim Morrison: Poetry, Journals, Transcripts, and Lyrics
by Jim Morrison
“My wife, Alison, gave me the book as a gift.
I love reading poetry. It relaxes me and allows my mind to expand in non-linear ways. Coupled with my appreciation for 1960s and 1970s Rock n' Roll, and the counterculture that embodied that generation, this book scratches many itches for me. I especially love how they feature handwritten excerpts of poems and lyrics on notebook paper and napkins as well as pictures of Morrison throughout his life. It is a large book, 575+ pages.”
-Sam Foxman / @evntiv
I'll Show Myself Out: Essays on Midlife and Motherhood
by Jessi Klein
“I bought this for myself – it’s a favorite as she's a brilliantly funny, poignant essayist whose first book (You’ll Grow Out of It) inspired me to pursue publishing my own essay collection.”
-Christine Morrison / @writinginblackandwhite
Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less
by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz
“My friend and mentor Ellen Sherberg gave me this book. It’s a guidepost to reference quickly and often. Helping to cut out the noise, get straight to the point, and ultimately be a more effective communicator.”
-Laura Sawyier
*Disclosure: If you buy something through the links above, I may earn a commission. I use affiliate links occasionally, which are at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work and keeping Style / Substance operating.
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