Books on travel, food, history, art, and business can make perfect gifts for any occasion. Here are some ideas for gift books:
Gift Idea #1: Travel Books
These are entertaining and useful gifts for anyone who plans to travel in the future or already travels frequently. Travel books can range from detailed guides with instructions on navigating foreign cities to colorful National Geographic photo essays on rainforests or tropical beaches. Elegantly-bound hardcover books can also be beautiful coffee table books. Check out Journey’s of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips .
Gift Idea #2: Audio Books for the Car
If you have a long commute to work or take the occasional road trip, you know how easy it is to get tired of listening to the same old CDs or radio stations in the car. Stay entertained (and stay awake) while driving by listening to some tapes or CDs – they can be short stories, inspirational advice, business advice, stand-up routines by your favorite comics, or foreign language lessons. It’s amazing how much you can learn in the time you spend in your car! Check out Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers: The Story of Success.
Gift Idea #3: Books on Cooking, Food, and Wine
In recent years, this category has grown far beyond recipe books to include colorful books on the history of food, diet and lifestyle, road trips in search of great food, celebrities and food, wine, healthy living, organic food and raw ingredients, and explorations of world cultures via food. Food books can be interesting reads for health nuts, foodies, familes, parents, kids, casual cooks, fine diners, vegetarians, gardeners, travelers…. anyone who loves eating. Check out this review of Jamie Oliver’s brilliant new book, Cooking with Jamie, or my beautiful new favorite: Food Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe .
Gift Idea #4: Books on History
If you think you have to be a history buff to appreciate historical fiction or non-fiction, take a look at the wild success of David McCullough’s bestselling book on John Adams. Anyone with a remote interest in history can appreciate an entertaining and well-written novel or biography. Check out Thomas Friedman’s The World Is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century.
Gift Idea #5: Biographies and Memoirs
You will always find biographies on bestseller lists because people are innately interested in other people. Biographies on politicians such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama are just as popular as biographies on Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs, and Oprah. Check out Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time.
Gift Idea #6: Business Books
Business topics vary widely – from strategy, marketing, and sales to real estate, investments, and specific case studies (eg. the fall of Enron). There is something for anyone with any interest in business. Check out The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life.
Gift Idea #7: Books on Art and Photography
Most art lovers will appreciate a beautiful hardcover book with a collection of their favorite works. Whether it is a collection of photography, paintings, or sculptures, or even an exploration of a particular artist or theme, high-quality books can be a stunning and long-lasting gift for anyone who appreciates art. Check out Annie Leibovitz at Work.
Gift Idea #8: First Edition Books
Avid readers will likely appreciate receiving a first edition of his or her favorite book or author as a gift. Check the copyright page to confirm that it really is a first edition. These are often not just collectibles but investments that will appreciate in value.
Gift Idea #9: Inspirational Books
By inspirational books, I do not mean cheesy motivational self-help books. These books can provide thoughtful advice and encouragement for anyone from parents to kids to mid-career professionals. Check out The Last Lecture, a memorable and moving book by Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch.
For more useful gift ideas, see this list of the bestselling books of the year.
