20 giftable books 2020 Archives

Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves

by Glory Edim

This collection was a delightful addition to my bookshelves, curated by Glory Edim, founder of the Well-Read Black Girl book club. Contributors write about how essential it is that we all see ourselves in literature, and include essays from Jesmyn Ward, Lynn Nottage, Jacqueline Woodson, Gabourey Sidibe, Morgan Jerkins, Tayari Jones, Rebecca Walker, and more. A celebration of the power of story, filled with illustrations, inspiring words, and a big bunch of book recommendations.

The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design

by Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt

This is another book I picked up at my local indie on publication day—I just couldn't wait! It shot to the top of my wishlist when Grettel mentioned it on WSIRN Episode 251: I love books and books love me back. My fascination with urban planning is well documented. I love learning the stories behind sidewalk placement, street signs, or park-building. This well-researched guide to city design includes illustrations, stories, and explanations of the things we usually overlook. Podcast host Mars brings his celebration of big ideas and seemingly small things to the page.

1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List

by James Mustich

This fun doorstop of a collection (and I say that with affection) includes titles I expected (all six Austen novels) and titles I didn't (Make Way for Ducklings, Into Thin Air, The Hunt for Red October). The book includes numerous shorter reading lists, thorough indexes, and a checklist so you can see how many on the list you have read. (My current total is 168.) I chatted with Mustich on a special New Year's episode of What Should I Read Next?, where Jim recommended which of those 1000 books he thinks I should prioritize.

When These Mountains Burn

by David Joy

Gifting fiction can be tricky, but page-turning literary fiction is my go-to crowd-pleaser. David Joy's latest novel didn't get as much attention as it deserved (in my opinion), which makes it perfectly giftable. A father, an addict, and a federal agent are brought together by chance and redemption. Told in alternating points of view, a complicated family story meets a noir-ish literary mystery. While this story isn't a fast-paced thriller, I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. Joy's skillful character building drew me in, and I'd love to put this book in more readers' hands.

Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life

by Anne Bogel

We've all been there: stuck in a cycle of what-ifs, plagued by indecision, paralyzed by the fear of getting it wrong. Nobody wants to live a life of constant overthinking, but it doesn't feel like something we can choose to stop doing. It feels like something we're wired to do, something we just can't escape. But is it? Anne's answer is no. Not only can you overcome negative thought patterns that are repetitive, unhealthy, and unhelpful, you can replace them with positive thought patterns that will bring more peace, joy, and love into your life. In Don't Overthink It, you'll find actionable strategies that can make an immediate and lasting difference in how you deal with questions both small—Should I buy these flowers?—and large—What am I doing with my life? More than a book about making good decisions, Don't Overthink It offers you a framework for making choices you'll be comfortable with, using an appropriate amount of energy, freeing you to focus on all the other stuff that matters in life.

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Rilke: Poems

by Rainer Maria Rilke

The Everyman's Library Pocket Poets hardcover series is popular for its compact size and reasonable price which does not compromise content. Poems: Rilke contains poems from The Book of Images; New Poems; Requiem for a Friend; Poems, 1906-1926; French Poems; The Life of Mary; Sonnets to Orpheus; The Duino Elegies; Letters to a Young Poet; and an index of first lines.

Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round

by Myquillyn Smith

Even before I finished Welcome Home, I was putting Myquillyn's principles into action—and enjoying the process. There's no one I trust more for guidance on making my home livable, welcoming, and beautiful. Her new book walks you through the seasons of the year, highlighting simple and gratifying ways to decorate (yay) and host (eventually) in tune with the rhythms of the year. For the fall season, I'm ready to shop my backyard for fall decor, as she suggests, and my kids can't wait to try the stacked apple cider bar she demonstrates how to do for a fall celebration. This would make a lovely gift book. Publication date September 15.

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

by Isabel Wilkerson

Longlisted for the National Book Award, Wilkerson's latest book explores how America has been shaped by a hidden caste system. Wilkerson links the caste systems of the United States, India, and Nazi Germany in a story-driven deep dive into history, class, and race. I loved The Warmth of Other Suns and can't wait to read this one. Wilkerson's narrative nonfiction makes a great gift for history buffs and readers who appreciate true stories, well-told. It would also make an excellent family book club pick!

Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

by Ina Garten

My Barefoot Contessa cookbooks are well-loved and notably worse for wear. From the publisher: "Ina Garten shares 85 new recipes that will feed your deepest cravings. Many of these dishes are inspired by childhood favorites—but with the volume turned way up, such as Cheddar and Chutney Grilled Cheese sandwiches (the perfect match for Ina’s Creamy Tomato Bisque), Smashed Hamburgers with Caramelized Onions, and the crispiest hash browns that are actually made in a waffle iron! Old-fashioned crowd pleasers like Roasted Sausages, Peppers, and Onions are even more delicious and streamlined for quick cleanup. From cocktails to dessert, from special weekend breakfasts to quick weeknight dinners, you’ll find yourself making these cozy and delicious recipes over and over again."

These Truths

by Jill Lepore

Take a closer look at American history with Jill Lepore's sweeping overview, beginning in 1492. The title comes from “these truths,” as Jefferson called them: political equality, natural rights, and the sovereignty of the people. The book explores whether those truths have held up over the course of our nation's history. Lepore is a gifted writer, and her impeccable research reveals nuance behind our typical textbook version of events. Bonus: this one is in paperback! No matter which historical time period your loved one is obsessed with, this book will cover it and shed light on a new perspective.

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics

by Dolly Parton & Robert K. Oermann

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics is a landmark celebration of the remarkable life and career of a country music and pop culture legend. As told by Dolly Parton in her own inimitable words, explore the songs that have defined her journey. Illustrated throughout with previously unpublished images from Dolly Parton's personal and business archives. Mining over 60 years of songwriting, Dolly Parton highlights 175 of her songs and brings readers behind the lyrics.

The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life

by Alex Trebek

I have such fond memories of watching Jeopardy! as a family when I was growing up, and I was deeply saddened by Alex Trebek's passing. His reflections in this volume are sure to be nostalgic and illuminating as he shares anecdotes from over three decades of hosting the show. More than a history of his hosting career, this volume includes Trebek's musings on parenthood, education, and spirituality. In a nod to the show, each chapter title is in the form of a question.

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The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, and Get Stuff Done

by Kendra Adachi

We get a lot of messages about what we "should" be prioritizing over the season, but have you stopped to ask yourself what matters most to you? With her five Lazy Genius principles, my friend Kendra will help you live according to what matters and let go of the stuff that doesn't. I make much use of her "decide once" principle when times get stressful, and her guide has helped my whole family plan around what matters most to us. With her friendly voice and style, Kendra illustrates each principle with stories from her own life.

The Best of Me

by David Sedaris

A master of short-form storytelling, David Sedaris shares his best stories in this "best of" collection. Though his stories revolve around his personal experiences, Sedaris proves to be keenly aware of the world around him, sharing observations about human nature with humor, wit, and ... a whole lot of sex jokes. Both avid Sedaris fans and readers who are new to his work will appreciate this volume of his most memorable work. (I'm currently 90% through the audio version; Sedaris narrates himself, as always, and this new audiobook includes some live performances that are outstanding.)

The Little Library Cookbook: 100 Recipes from Your Favorite Books

by Kate Young

This beautiful cookbook brings literary feasts to life with recipes from classic and modern literature, like vanilla layer cake from Anne of Green Gables, buckwheats from Little Women, or a thousand pork & ginger dumplings from The Kitchen God's Wife. Regardless of whether you cook any of the recipes, this book belongs on any bookworm's coffee table or shelf. If you do pick a few recipes to try in the kitchen, fear not: even the Dickensian recipes are tailored to modern life. I'm thinking of several friends who would love to receive this collection for the holidays.

Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking

by Toni Tipton-Martin

This award-winning cookbook is at the top of my holiday wishlist. It has everything: history, heritage, culture, and food. Stunning photos accompany stories and recipes that showcase the depth of African American cuisine. I want to read it like a novel, and then cook the sweet potato biscuits and seafood gumbo. "Deeply beautiful, culturally diverse, fit for celebration"—pair it with a good bottle of bourbon for the Bourbon & Apple Hot Toddies recipe.

This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live

by Melody Warnick

The premise of this great research-based and story-driven nonfiction read is that when it comes to loving the place you live, YOU have a lot more power than you probably realize. People who love their communities don't just live in great places, they're also extremely proactive about the ways they engage in their communities—and I wish I could rattle off every single one by memory! Practical, actionable, and bound to make a difference in your everyday life.

Vegetable Kingdom

by Bryant Terry

Vegetable Kingdom is a sophisticated-looking cookbook, written in a delightfully snarky voice—and the photos are absolutely gorgeous. You can’t underestimate the joy of flipping through a beautifully photographed, drool-worthy cookbook, especially after you've unwrapped it as a gift. W. Kamau Bell says it best, "Bryant Terry goes hard at vegetables with a hip-hop eye and a Southern grandmama’s nature. To paraphrase Maya Angelou, Bryant wants us to know that once we know vegetables better, we will cook vegetables better.”

I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life

by Anne Bogel

Our books shape us, define us, enchant us, and even sometimes infuriate us. Our books are a part of who we are as people, and we can't imagine life without them. I'd Rather Be Reading leads readers to remember the book that first hooked them, the place where they first fell in love with reading, and all of the moments afterward that helped make them the reader they are today.

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The Penguin Classics Book

by Henry Eliot

Whenever I visit a used bookstore, I hunt for a few orange Penguin Classics to add to my shelf. It's one of my favorite bookish collections, and this gorgeous hardcover celebrates the joy of a beautiful book cover. Every book published by Penguin Classics (not just the orange covers) gets a page with an illustrated cover, summary, backstory, and author biography. View classic covers from 500 authors, 1,200 books and 4,000 years of world literature. A must-have volume for bookworms who love classics, history, or art.

20 giftable books 2020

Buckle Up!

summer reading starts May 16th