The Best Book Gifts of the Year (and What to Pair Them With)

There’s something magical about losing yourself in a story, or finding just the right book at the right time, or falling in love with a character and rooting for them till the last page. I’ve always been an avid reader, and I love recommending books to people in my life. Every year, I round up my list of favorites, but I’m doing something a little different this year!

I’m choosing my top 12 fiction reads (out of more than 70 titles) and turning them into a holiday gift guide, pairing each of my favorite novels with a thoughtful gift or two that reflects its heart, theme, or a memorable detail. If you’re shopping for a book-lover in your life (or yourself!) look no further!¹ These pairings are sure to please:

12 Perfect Book-and-Gift Pairings for the Holiday Season

The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett: I loved this darkly comic story about an old man on a cross-country road trip with two orphaned kids and a cat in tow! Love and loss and second chances were themes throughout this book. Lots of hijinks ensue (including an encounter with an alligator!) Truly a delightful read! Pairs well with this cat mug and this adorable pouch.

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner: The writing, the characters, and the ending of this story set during the San Fransisco earthquake of 1906 were all perfection! If you love stories of female friendship and solidarity, with a bit of a mystery too, you’ll love this one! Pairs well with a gold locket and with a dainty teacup.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy: Gorgeous setting and gorgeous writing! This was a story about the risks inherent in love and the lengths we will go to in order to protect ourselves from loss. Because this is set on a cold and wintry island whose purpose is to house a seed bank to preserve plants for the future, it pairs well with this garden-to-table seed bank and this handmade quilt.

Eddie Winston is Looking For Love by Marianne Cronin: If you need an uplifting story that will restore your faith in humanity, this is it! Eddie is 90 years old and has never been kissed. When he befriends 24 year-old Bella, she is determined to help him find true love! In the story, Eddie starts adding all kinds of dapper accessories to his look, which is why this novel pairs well with this versatile Boho Bandeau headband, and this plumpy lip balm from Sea Harbor.

The Caretaker by Ron Rash: A slow start, but by the middle I couldn’t put it down! Set in the 50’s during the Korean War, this story centered around the self-sacrificial nature of love. I was so heavily invested in the characters, hoping they would make the right choices! Because letter-writing propelled the romantic part of the story forward, and because it was set in Appalachia, this pairs well with this “spill the tea” stationery set, and this Appalachian jam sampler.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown: I really enjoyed this coming-of-age story set in the mid-90’s, and how it spoke to the nature of parenthood, family, radicalization, and the role of technology/Internet on our lives! The characters were nuanced and I was really rooting for Jane! Pairs well with this “The Beginning of the End” T-shirt, and these floppy disk coasters.

Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Blunt: A tender, moving story about a 14 year old girl mourning the death of her uncle to AIDS in the late 1980’s. I loved the sister relationship portrayed as well as the insights into the family dynamics of grief. Because a teapot and a painting are central to the story, it pairs well with this paint-by-number kit and this hand-painted infuser teapot and mug set.

Isola by Allegra Goodman: A bit of a slow start, but beautifully written! This book is based on a true story about a young, wealthy woman marooned on an island in 1542. I very much enjoyed rooting for her, as well as the many themes of faith (doubt & belief, God’s will, God’s provision, worship & wonder) threaded throughout the story! Pairs well with these (faux) pearl hair clips and this print of Psalm 77:14.

I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kennedy: I was expecting a dark comedy (and some parts were hilarious), but I got so much more! This story was a poignant and insightful look at what it means to live like you’re truly alive. The male friendship in this book was on point, and the dialog was superb! This pairs well with this Everything Happens mug (“Because mystery, limits, grief, joy, and your inbox all showed up before 9am“) and this retro alarm clock to remind you each day is a gift.

Babel by R.F. Kuang: Brilliant! Well-paced plot and well-developed characters were the background for a larger conversation about power, greed, colonialism, racism, and empire. This story is set in 1828 and is a fantasy and in the dark academia genre. I couldn’t put this one down and when it ended, I thought about it for a long time! Pairs well with this tabletop lantern and this fountain pen starter bundle.

Heartwood by Amity Gaige:  I wouldn’t call this a thriller, but it is a page-turner! Beautifully written and a moving story of hope and wonder and love. I enjoyed the exploration of mother-daughter relationships in this story about a missing hiker in the woods of Maine! Pairs well with this multi-tool carabiner for the all the capable women in your life, and this scented candle of the woods in Maine.

I’m Starting to Wonder about this Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin: This was a highly entertaining page-turner with characters I cared about! It would make for a great book club discussion with its themes of loneliness, radicalization, mental health, and internet ethics. If you’re looking for a fun read that’s also thought-provoking, this is for you! I also enjoyed it on audio and I think it would be a great road trip book. Pairs well with a car cup holder organizer like this plain one or this cutesy one, and a conversation starter game.

I hope this sparked some gift-giving ideas based on books! Tell me your favorite fiction reads in the comments!

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1. The links I share are from Amazon, where I’m an affiliate. This means if you happen to purchase through my link, I’ll earn a few pennies on the dollar at no extra cost to you! ↩︎

* Feature Photo by Madara Parma on Unsplash