Our 30+ Favorite Books to Give As Gifts (For Adults & Kids)

If you’re scrambling for a few last-minute gift ideas this year, let me give you a hand with your shopping list today. Truth: I think books are some of the best gifts you can give anyone— doesn’t matter if they consider themself a “reader” or not since there are MANY, many kinds of books out there to fit every personality type. Cookbooks, personal development books, spiritual books, artsy coffee table books, kids books, nonfiction, novels, poetry books, essay books, etc. etc. etc.

Not to mention, the assortment of mediums you can enjoy books these days, from e-books to physical to audio.

(Side note, subscriptions to things like Audible or Spotify Premium, which now includes access to audiobooks, are another great holiday gift idea for book lovers who may not have time to sit down & read a physical book.)

For kids, books can be such a great, creative form of entertainment and bonding while you share stories together and explore illustrations. And for adults, it’s the best escape from real life and responsibility for a while— a little brain break to reset, venture somewhere new and shift our perspective.

Anywho, I’m an (obvious) book fan and absolutely love to gift people I love a great book, so if you’re looking for a few more gifts this holiday season— or want a new read for yourself— check out this list for some of my new and old favorite titles to explore!

Favorite Books to Gift for Kids:

1. All The Ways to Be Smart: I love this sweet book so much— it shows kids how to embrace their characteristics and quirks with fun rhymes and amazing illustrations!
2. The Wonderful Things You Will Be: Such a fun one for little ones to explore who they’ll be when they get older— I’ve gifted this one to many a new mama friend!
3. The Great Eggscape: such a fun read, for adults AND kids together. Love the creativity of this one.
4. The Sour Grape: another great Jory John book, all about having a good attitude
5. Curious George’s 5 Minute Stories: Curious George is a favorite in our home, and this book has 13 stories you can finish in 5 minutes each. Perfect for a fun bedtime story!
6. Daniel Tiger’s 5 Minute Stories: Again, we love Daniel Tiger around here (it’s a modern show inspired by Mr. Rogers)— so these 5-minute stories are great to read before nap or bed time.
7. Disney Pixar’s 5 Minute Stories: we love a great 5 minute book around here (can you tell?!) So many stories in one, and so great to travel with too with the variety inside one single book.
8. This Is How We Do It: 7 families across the world share about their daily routines & culture in such a fun way, with great art. 
9. The Day The Crayons Quit: a hilarious story of a crayon box– and one that adults will laugh at too.  I never mind reading this one over and over again.
10. Elbow Grease (and all the follow up books): this one is always a hit. And I love the message behind it too.
11. How to Be a Lion: all about how being unique and different is a great thing (and often your superpower)
12. In My Heart: A book that explores, celebrates and names feelings is always a good things to help babes and toddlers understand that their feelings are all normal and okay!
13. Follow Your Dreams, Little One: An awesome book that shares stories of black men throughout history who made a difference and changed the world for the better.
14. Something’s Wrong: we had this one gifted to us, and it makes me smile everytime. The kids laugh and love it.
15. Wendell The Narwhal: Excuse me but this may be the cutest book of all time, all about a narwhal that wants to make music but can’t quite figure out how.

For more books ideas for kids, check out all of our favorites here!

Favorite Books To Gift for Adults:

1. The Simply Real Health Cookbook (currently 30% off!!) and Simply Real Eating: I can’t have a book list without these two— they are chock-full of SIMPLE, naturally gluten free, healthy and fast recipes that everyone at your table will love. The second book, Simply Real Eating, also includes healthy rituals you can incorporate into your life for a more balanced, joyful way of living.
2. Time Magic: this book, all about efficiency & productivity, is done in a very intentional and thoughtful way. I have taken so many things and started to include them in my daily life and rhythms and thought it was an excellent listen & read!
3. Vibrate Higher Daily: One of my all-time favs for taking control of our lives and tapping deep into our inner guiding voice to find TRUE joy.
4. Big Magic: Ugh, I firmly believe everyone needs to read this book (not just “creative” people)! It’s amazing how she demonstrates that we all have creativity inside of us, and how to tap into it in a beautiful way.
5. Atomic Habits: A true game/life changer in every way. Learn a powerful way to upgrade your daily habits and routines to feel your best and waste less time on things that don’t matter.
6. Heal Your Body: this book is fascinating. And all about the mental causes for physical illness (and the metaphysical and mental ways to overcome & heal them). A great gift for anyone working on healing their body.
7. Sweet Laurel: Recipes for Whole Food, Grain-Free Desserts: A favorite for sweets and baking! I love finding special occasion recipes in here (birthday cakes, holiday desserts, etc.)— such a good gift for the kitchen lovers and bakers on your list.
8. Canelle Et Vanille Bakes Simple: an amazing gluten-free baking book, so artistic and beautiful!
9. Woman Code: Every woman of every age NEEDS to read this book! It is a transformative manual to healing your body by learning to understand your hormones (which literally affect ALL areas of your life and health).
10. The War of Art: For those pursuing creative work, this book is a game changer. It will help you move past self doubt and creative blocks that often hold us back, and instead work toward a greater and more fulfilling mission.
11. The Highly Sensitive: Love this one so much for anyone who may be easily influenced by other people’s reactions/emotions/opinions. An important read to navigate life without being so drained by those around you! I also love The Empath’s Survival Guide too- it made me realize the spectrum of an “empath” (hi, my hands are raised) and gave such great practical tools to embrace the gifts and help you navigate the world around you. I know so many people in our SRH community are, and this is a perfect way to start to learn more. 
12. Eight Dates: the latest from relationship legends John & Julie Gottman, I loved this quick read. A great conversation starter!
13. The Five-Minute Journal: This isn’t technically a book to “read,” but everyone I’ve gotten a five-minute journal for ends up falling in LOVE with it. Such a simple yet empowering way to track your day-to-day thoughts, progress, emotions, etc.

For more books ideas for adults, check out all of my favorites here!

Favorite Book Recs from Team SRH:

1. Human Design by Jenna Zoe: The perfect gift for your friend that is interested in all things chakras and astrology. Human Design is a system based on your birth chart that can help you unlock your true purpose in the world. It is so fascinating! -Jordyn (and Sarah 2nds this!)
2. Wintering: The Power of Rest & Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May: I am obsessed with the concept of “wintering” and focusing on caring for yourself as you retreat and rest inward during hard times. -Jordyn
3. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: This story focuses on belonging and family and feels like the BIGGEST hug. Such a heartwarming and easy read to dive into. -Jordyn
4. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab: I will never stop raving about this book and gifting it to friends. It is a heartbreaking tale that was written with so much happiness and wonder. What really sticks with me is how crucial it is to be seen, known and remembered. -Jordyn
5. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin: Another favorite read of mine that I keep forcing onto others! This was a beautiful and tragic story exploring friendship and family. -Jordyn
6. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell: An addicting psychological thriller about a woman who meets her “birthday twin” – a fabulous podcaster with a life she can’t help but become jealous of (or perhaps obsessed with). So many twists and turns in this one! -Audrey
7. Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll: The best book I read this year. A historical fiction of the women impacted by Ted Bundy’s final murder spree at a sorority house in Florida – and how these women take their power back from a narcissistic killer. -Audrey
8. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah: This book was gripping, and so beautifully written. It tells the story of a family who moves to a cabin off the grid in Alaska – and how they learn to survive in spite of (many) threats coming at them. I absolutely loved 80% of this book but felt the ending was a bit rushed and unbelievable – but still a great read I recommend often! -Audrey (and Sarah 2nds).

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