For anyone who likes to give books as gifts (or, you know, read them) 2018 has offered an embarrassment of riches. From short delights that pack a punch far above their page counts to stunning works that apply the weight of history to our current moment, there is truly something for everyone. This guide barely scratches the surface, but should give you a good place to start browsing.
For the person who says they have no time to read:
My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Elevation by Stephen King
The Incendiaries by R.O. Kwon
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
Fox 8 by George Saunders
For the person who just wants to feel good about the world for five minutes, dammit:
The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King
Almost Everything: Notes on Hope by Anne Lamott
GMorning Gnight: Little Pep Talks for Me & You by Lin Manuel Miranda
For the history buff:
The War Before the War: Fugitive Slaves and the Struggle for America’s Soul from the Revolution to the Civil War by Andrew Delbanco
Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston
Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man’s First Journey to the Moon by Robert Kurson
Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood by Karina Longworth
For the literary awards buff:
Sabrina by Nick Drnaso
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
Everything Under by Daisy Johnson
Flights by Olga Tokarczuk
For the music lover:
Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill
Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded by Jason Heller
Beastie Boys Book by Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz
Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop by Vikki Tobak
*For the animal lover:
How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals by Sy Montgomery
Writers and Their Cats by Alison Nastasi
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
Radiant: Farm Animals Up Close and Personal by Traer Scott
For the dude who claims he “just can’t get into books by women:”
How Long til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin
The Hunger by Alma Katsu
Severance by Ling Ma
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
For the Women in Your Life Who Are Just Fed Up:
Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger by Soraya Chemaly
Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper
Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger by Rebecca Traister
For the kids:
The Unicorn Rescue Society (series) by Adam Gidwitz
My First Book of Feminism (for Boys) by Julie Merberg
The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid
Lumberjanes (series)
Ghost by Jason Reynolds
For all of these people, and literally everyone else:
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Are you excited to gift something that you don’t see here? Let me know at julia@greedyreads.com; I’d love to hear from you.
