Picking out the perfect holiday gift can be tricky, but we’re of the mindset that a good book is always welcome. In recent years, the Icelandic tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve — known as Jólabókaflóð, meaning “Christmas Book Flood” — has gone global, with the tradition adopted by bookish revelers worldwide.
In that spirit, we’ve put together a list of some of the most giftable books we enjoyed this year, with some extra picks for the logophiles and bibliophiles (word nerds and bookworms) in your life.
By Jess Zafarris
This book is full of fun facts and obscure history, making it a great gift for the trivia fan in your life. Written by the host of the “Words Unravelled” podcast, Useless Etymology reveals the surprising ways common phrases and terms came to be.
The Podcast Pantheon: 101 Podcasts That Changed How We Listen
By Sean Malin and Jon Hamm
If there is a podcast lover (or maker) on your gift list, look no further than this comprehensive guide to the history and culture of podcasting. You could even take the gift up a notch by pairing it with a new set of headphones.
By Virginia Evans
Consider this one for your long-distance friend. This novel is told through handwritten correspondence that the protagonist writes and receives, slowly revealing details about her life. Send the book with some pretty stationery, your own handwritten letter, and perhaps a resolution to keep in touch.
Wild for Austen: A Rebellious, Subversive, and Untamed Jane
By Devoney Looser
Your bookworm friend might be celebrating another holiday in December — Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. There are many new Austen-inspired works to mark the occasion, and this new nonfiction examines Austen’s legacy in a way that is both entertaining and academic.
By Sarah Seltzer
For music lovers, this novel about a family of talented musicians spans decades of rock history. The story covers the 1960s hippie folk movement to the 1990s alt-rock scene, making it a great pair with a music documentary about Woodstock or Lilith Fair.
Like: A History of the World’s Most Hated (and Misunderstood) Word
By Megan C. Reynolds
If you know someone who enjoys Clueless or Legally Blonde, gift them a book exploring the word “like” and its role in popular culture. Like explores the word’s history, its role in the “Valley Girl” stereotype, and its evolution into an essential tool of modern communication via Facebook’s “Like” button.
Having People Over: A Modern Guide to Planning, Throwing, and Attending Every Type of Party
By Chelsea Fagan
Pick up a copy of this clever guide to entertaining as a gift for the host of a holiday party. It features party inspiration alongside recipes and charming illustrated guides. This book is sure to earn you an invite to the next gathering.
By Ron Chernow
If you know a lover of history and literature, you can’t go wrong with a biography. Mark Twain is a comprehensive portrait of one of the most important figures in American history, written by the author of the Alexander Hamilton biography that inspired the musical.
By Pippa Latour
History buffs will appreciate this posthumously published memoir written by the last surviving World War II spy. This is nonfiction, but it reads like a spy thriller, so it would be a good gift for a fan of TV shows such as Slow Horses or Killing Eve.
Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language
By Adam Aleksic
For your chronically online friend, Algospeak is a wordy deep dive into how the internet — especially social media — is shaping the evolution of language. This may also be a good gift for someone who spends a lot of time with teenagers and wants to understand them better.
Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live
By Susan Morrison
Any comedy fan knows the name Lorne Michaels, but despite his 50-year career in the public eye, he has remained remarkably private. Lorne is the first biography authorized by Michaels himself, and it’s a fascinating look at what happens behind the scenes of TV history.
Outer Space Is Closer Than Antarctica
By Michelle Ott
This illustrated memoir makes a great gift for the science and art enthusiasts in your life. The author left her job at an art gallery to work as a janitor at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica, and the book blends her personal stories with hand-drawn maps and scientific diagrams.
By Peter Mann
If you know a world traveler or adventure seeker, pick up this novel that blends mystery and “what if” history. Set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s world’s fair in 1939, this historical fiction starts with the disappearance of a world-renowned maritime explorer.
By B. Dylan Hollis
Any bakers on your shopping list? A TikTok star who researches and cooks retro recipes compiled this cookbook featuring regional classics such as beignets from New Orleans, gooey butter cake from St. Louis, and strawberry pretzel salad from Pittsburgh.
By Syou Ishida
For animal lovers, this cozy novel imagines a mysterious health clinic that prescribes cats specifically chosen to suit the patient’s needs. Complete the set by adding the sequel, We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat, and don’t forget to buy a gift for their cat, too.
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