Christmas is only a week away! I am always a big proponent of giving books as gifts, and to do so during Christmas is no exception. There’s a book out there for everyone! But if you’re feeling stuck or looking for some recommendations this holiday season, read on. A lot of my recommendations may lean towards YA, but not all!
Young Adult: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. It’s the first book in a series, and it is to this day one of my favorite YA selections. The plot is interesting, the characters well developed, and there are tons of twists and turns. I think it is a book that most teens would enjoy.
Fantasy: The Magicians by Lev Grossman. Now I have to admit I’m still reading this one, but it’s such an interesting fantasy novel. People compare it to Harry Potter in a way and I can see why. It’s not as lighthearted a story, though, so be warned.
Memoir: Brain On Fire by Susannah Cahalan. This book is absolutely fascinating. It’s part memoir, part journalism, part medical mystery. I have a hard time reading about medical things (they gross me out) but it was so worth it. The story is just so interesting.
Classic: Dracula by Bram Stoker. It’s a bit more accessible than many classics are while still having an interesting writing style. Besides, Dracula is THE vampire book and it’s nice to have some context of where the genre really came from. I’ve read it on three separate occasions. It also gives some really interesting insight into how people in England were thinking during the industrial revolution.
Non-Fiction:Nothing To Envy by Barbara Demick. This book gives a fascinating look into North Korea. The country has been in the news a lot lately about their nuclear programs, but that prevents people from focusing on...the people. It’s a really interesting read and great for anyone who loves learning.
Mainstream Fiction: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman is probably one of my favorite books that I read this year. It manages to be funny, charming, outlandish, and tragic all at once, and I’m still not sure how the author managed it. I think just about anyone would enjoy this book!
Literary Fiction: Room by Emma Donoghue. This is possibly my favorite book of all time, and a bit hard to categorize genre-wise. I see it in department stores now, some people call it a thriller, but it is still considered literary fiction. Whatever it is, it’s an amazing, heavy book, and I recommend it to everyone.
ChickLit: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. Yes, this is a YA pick as well. I absolutely love this book. Sarah Dessen writes heteor romances so much, but she manages to make me care. Her characters are so good and so real. The romance is good without being melodramatic. I can’t put her books down.
Dystopia: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer is part dystopia, part natural disaster. The premise is extremely interesting, and if your recipient likes the first one, there’s more books in the series. Plus this isn’t a book just about a corrupt government (as interesting as I do find that subject), so it is a bit unique in that sense.
Novel Featuring LGBT Protagonist: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. What can I say about this book? It gave me all the ship feels, and it inspired me to finally write the gay magic story I’ve been thinking about. This book is just fun, and there happens to be gay characters. It’s a great book for people who love to ship.