{"id":3733,"date":"2017-11-22T23:43:15","date_gmt":"2017-11-23T03:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.princetonbookreview.com\/blog\/?p=3733"},"modified":"2024-05-29T09:19:27","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T13:19:27","slug":"3733-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.princetonbookreview.com\/blog\/3733-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Bookish Gift Ideas For Reading and Relaxing!"},"content":{"rendered":"

A<\/span> typical holiday season can escalate to crazy in a hurry. There are a million things to do. Like shopping for gifts and wrapping them, and decorating<\/a> your home for out-of-town guests. There’s also\u00a0making sure your pantry is stocked for company, and your closet is ready for your packed social calendar.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s exhausting \u2013 but there\u2019s a special kind of joy that comes with all this hard work, and tradition says it\u2019s all part of embracing the holiday spirit. There\u2019s also some comfort in knowing that others the world over are working hard doing the same thing.<\/p>\n

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It’s the\u00a0unique\u00a0person that can breeze through the holidays effortlessly – for most, it’s a labor of love. And in my experience, after spending several weeks in high anxiety mode, the world\u00a0is ready to relax. For this reason (and more), books and thoughtful items that enhance the reading experience make perfect gifts. And they’re not just for the book-obsessed.<\/p>\n

One gift-giving principle I live by, is to show that you put some thought into a\u00a0gift.<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u00a0I try to be creative and\u00a0make it personal – and I always<\/em><\/strong> go over the top with wrapping. This means: beautiful paper, ribbons and bows, and\u00a0small decorations.<\/p>\n

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“As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December’s bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same.” \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0– Donald E. Westlake<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Ideas And Inspiration For Gifts:<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n

One of my favorite gift ideas is pairing a great book with wine glasses, a bottle of wine – and a small candle <\/strong><\/span><\/em>\u2013 all fabulously wrapped together. You can also do this with Craft beers, which are wildly popular nowadays.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Another way to elevate the reading and relaxing experience is pairing a book with anything cozy.<\/strong><\/em> This can be\u00a0big cozy socks, soft throw blankets or my favorite – snuggly pajamas.<\/p>\n

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Many people enjoy sleeping in on weekends, lounging in bed with a hot beverage and knowing they have no agenda.<\/em><\/strong> If this sounds like someone you know, pair a book with a basket of gourmet teas, coffee, or\u00a0hot chocolate.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Another awesome idea is to pair a book with a few spa items.<\/strong> <\/em>This says; make time to pamper and take care of yourself. It\u2019s a gift for the mind, body, and spirit. It’s not just for women either \u2013 there are now many treatments packaged for men too. Add a CD with some soothing music.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0If that someone you’re buying a gift for likes to cook \u2013 there are some great cookbooks published recently.<\/strong><\/em> We tried a few recipes from Half Baked Harvest<\/em><\/a><\/span> by Tieghan Gerard and loved them. But we also liked Happy Cooking<\/em><\/span><\/a> by Giada De Laurentiis and Ree Drummond\u2019s cookbook; The Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime<\/span><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

(Please note: we\u00a0receive a small commission on Amazon products)<\/p>\n

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These are just a few ideas. What\u2019s especially nice is that these gifts are probably not what anyone is expecting. They say \u2013 I put some thought into your gift<\/em> and they also inspire a person to hop off the merry-go-round and recharge.<\/p>\n

Of course, after such a whirlwind of holiday activity and excitement, you too should pick your favorite pairing and – relax \u2013 enjoy and\u00a0re-energize.<\/p>\n

Below find some book suggestions to pair with wine, beer, hot cocoa or whatever\u00a0the person’s personality and interests call for.<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Woman\u2019s Fiction:<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n

These books are engaging and easy to read. The topics can be emotional, so just because they\u2019re lighter, doesn\u2019t mean they won\u2019t pull you in and make you think (or cry).<\/p>\n

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Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo \u00a0by Taylor Jenkins Reid<\/a><\/h2>\n

The Arrangement \u00a0by Sarah Dunn<\/a><\/h2>\n

The Stars are Fire \u00a0by Anita Shreve<\/a><\/h2>\n

A Dog\u2019s Purpose \u00a0by W. Bruce Cameron<\/a><\/h2>\n

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Historic Fictional<\/span><\/h2>\n

A little more intense than Woman\u2019s Fiction, these books are for the person who likes to learn about the past in an interesting way rather than through textbooks. Again, these stories can evoke a lot of emotions as you read of the customs and treatment of people in the past (especially women).<\/p>\n

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The Vengeance of Mothers \u00a0by Jim Fergus<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The Pecan Man \u00a0by Cassie Dandridge Selleck<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

News of The World \u00a0by Paulette Jiles<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The Light We Lost \u00a0by Jill Santopolo<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Literary Fiction<\/span><\/h2>\n

Books that are insightful and help better understand the world. They are usually elegantly written \u2013 and best if read slowly. Generally speaking, they are not fast paced riveting reads, but more of a slow burn. Intense and insightful.<\/p>\n

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Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The Lightkeeper\u2019s Daughter by Jean E. Pendziwol<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The Heart\u2019s Invisible Furies by John Boyne<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The Heirs by Susan Rieger<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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Mysteries & Thrillers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Everyone loves a good mystery. And thrillers are immensely popular- psychological thrillers in particular\u00a0are growing\u00a0in popularity. \u00a0Thrillers are fast paced and suspenseful. And puzzling out a mystery challenges the mind.<\/p>\n

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Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by\u00a0Matthew Sullivan<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The Marriage Pact by\u00a0\u00a0Michelle Richmond<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The Widowers Wife by Cate Holahan<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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A Few More Reading Suggestions<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n

Books with endearing, quirky characters are also very popular lately. These stories are light and engaging. \u00a0Guard your heart – you will fall in love with the characters. Below are some of my favorites.<\/p>\n

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A Man Called Ove<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by GailHoneyman<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Happy Holidays,<\/span><\/h2>\n

Linda & Andrea<\/span><\/h2>\n

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