2023 Gift Ideas and Buying Guide | BOOKS
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There’s not many things that I enjoy more, than curling up with a good book. And don’t forget…reading is fundamental.
Welcome Oh Lovely Ones to the 2023 Gift Ideas and Buying Guide | BOOKS
ENTERTAINING IS MY LOVE LANGUAGE
By Dawna Pitts
“The ultimate guidebook to hosting and entertaining, featuring incredible recipes as well as step-by-step party planning tips, tricks, and how-tos on everything you need to know to entertain guests at home without the stress!
Everyone has different ways to show their love. Author Dawna Pitts has been enjoying entertaining her friends and family for as long as she can remember.
Her debut book, Entertaining is My Love Language, is a cookbook-meets-party planning bible that makes entertaining fun, easy, and approachable for everyone.
Featuring low-key patio dinners, wine-paired multi-course dining experiences, and jaw-dropping impressive parties, Entertaining is My Love Language details every step of themed gatherings, plus timelines of what to do one week up to 30 minutes before your guests’ arrivals. The book also covers the table setting of different styles, including set-ups for Asian-inspired meals, how to prepare yourselves as hosts/hostesses, and the etiquettes of hosts/hostesses.
Entertaining is My Love Language showcases Pitts’ global experience of having lived in three countries-South Korea, Australia, and the United States. She also shares recipes from all around the world, including her Korean heritage with easy-to-cook recipes using easy-to-find ingredients, such as:
- Pavlovas
- Salt Plank Lobster Tails
- Fresh Spring Rolls
- Pork & Kimchi Mandoo (Korean Dumplings)
- Soy-Balsamic Marinated Grilled Rack of Lamb
- Strawberry Surprise Cupcakes
- Miso-glazed Salmon on Rice with Wilted Cucumbers
- Sushi Tacos
- Brie Toast with Truffle Honey
- And more!
Whenever you’re looking for a reason to celebrate, Entertaining is My Love Language will have the inspiration you need for hassle-free hosting!”
From Friesen Press
CATAN The Official Cookbook
Inspired by the Best-Selling Board Game
By Editors of Ulysses Press
“Embark on a culinary adventure with the first-ever official CATAN® cookbook–the perfect companion to your next game night.
Welcome, adventurers! The hexes of CATAN lie before you. The promise of abundant resources, development cards, and victory points are close at hand. But all good Catanians need a good meal before they can build strong settlements and grand cities.
With CATAN® – The Official Cookbook, fans of Klaus Teuber’s iconic game can now fuel up while road building and negotiating trades. From snack-worthy appetizers to feast-level entrees, this cookbook includes fun and easy-to-make recipes inspired by the game like:
- Over-Knight Oats
- Chicken under a Brick
- Ear of Plenty Corn Dip
- Robber’s Discard Delight
- Rocky Road Cookies
- Desert (Prickly Pear) Margaritas
- And more!
Packed with beautiful photos, iconic artwork, and fan references, this book is the perfect gift for longtime Catanians or beginning gamers. Gather your friends, family, and fellow explorers and bring your favorite game to life through food.
Cook. Eat. Play.”
Published by Ulysses Press
THE I LOVE TRADER JOE’S PLANT-BASED COOKBOOK
150 Delicious Vegeatrian and Vegan Recipise Using Food form the World’s Greatest Grocer Store
By Kris Cramer
“Discover an updated variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes whipped up with the low-budget, easy-to-acquire ingredients from everyone’s favorite grocery store–Trader Joe’s®!
Just as Trader Joe’s is the ultimate one-stop shop to stock up on tasty, eclectic foods for all dietary lifestyles, so too is the I Love Trader Joe’s Plant-Based Cookbook! Designed for veteran vegetarians, fresh vegans, and curious carnivores alike, this handy cookbook comes with easy-to-follow recipes for delicious, animal-free dishes, including:
- Tasty Tofu Scramble
- Tuscan Tomato Soup
- Almond-Glazed Green Beans
- Coconut Curry Polenta
- Tempeh Tacos
- African Peanut Stew
- Pasta with Creamy Tapenade
- Roasted Carrot Risotto
- Pumpkin Spice Cobbler
- And many more!
Packed with simple instructions, full-color photos, and newly updated vegan versions of recipes, the I Love Trader Joe’s Plant-Based Cookbook takes the guesswork out of cooking no matter who’s at your table.”
From Ulysses Press
THE I LOVE TRADER JOE’S® SNACK BOARDS COOKBOOK
By Pamela Ellgen
“Create stunning boards, creative charcuterie, and delicious spreads for every occasion with 50 recipes featuring your favorite Trader Joe’s® products.
If you’re an avid Trader Joe’s® shopper or you can’t stop making every meal into a charcuterie board, this is the perfect cookbook for you!
With The I Love Trader Joe’s® Snack Boards Cookbook, you won’t find your average cheese boards—instead, you’ll learn to make 50 scrumptious recipes for a variety of meals and snacks to share on platters or boards. From quick and easy butter boards to affordable lunch platters and elaborate holiday spreads, you’ll be amazed by all the creative recipes you can make after a quick trip to Trader Joe’s®, including:
- Everything for Everyone Snack Board
- Taco & Taquito Platter
- Savory Cheese Dessert Spread
- Euro Breakfast Board
- And more!
Find new ways to use your favorite ingredients like fig butter, dark chocolate peanut butter cups, unexpected cheddar, and so much more!”
From Ulysses Press
THE RESILIENCE WORKBOOK FOR WOMEN
By Hope Kelaher, LCSW
“Harness the power of your inner resilience and boost your self-esteem and self-confidence through the activities and journaling prompts in this workbook for women.
Discover how you can transform your life through the principles of resilience using this workbook for women of all ages. You’ll embark on a journey of self-empathy, self-esteem, and self-confidence by immersing yourself in exercises to help you foster your own unique resiliency. You’ll learn problem-solving skills, coping methods, and confidence-boosting tips that will enable you to move through your daily life in a more courageous, determined, and successful way.
The Resilience Workbook for Women illuminates, encapsulates, and unlocks the inner resilience that all women possess. By making your way through this workbook, you will learn specific ways to harness the power of resilience in circumstances such as:
- Break ups and/or divorce
- Mental and physical illness
- Career challenges
- Physical and sexual trauma
- Loss
- Childbearing challenges
- Natural disasters
Create purpose and joy in your life with The Resilience Workbook for Women.”
From Ulysses Press
THE GLOW UP JOURNAL
By Danielle Richardson
“Create inspiration for your dream version of you with prompts on everything from beauty and wellness to self-care and fitness and then track your progress with this must-have journal.
A glow up is a transformation—transforming from where you currently are to the ultimate version of yourself. In The Glow Up Journal, you’ll spend more time determining who this dream self is as you create a personalized bullet journal for your glow up journey and all your glow up goals.
From beauty and style to career goals, investing in yourself, and fitness, you’ll brainstorm what exactly you want to get out of your glow up. With fun prompts like Main Character Energy Daily, Mix n’ Match the Best Workout Routine, and more, you’ll romanticize the process of glowing up and get excited to meet all your goals. Then, you’ll track your progress with daily check-ins. Your glow up journey is on the way!”
From Simon & Schuster – Adams Media
QUICK WINS
By Paul Gavoni and Anika Costa
From KeyPress Publishing
EVERYTHING WE SHOULD HAVE TAUGHT YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL, BUT NEVER DID
By Dr. Richard Gary Shear
“High school teaches you how to determine the area of a room, but not how to navigate the people and personalities you will find in that room. In school, you are exposed to the cataclysmic events of history, but rarely about the life struggles you’ll experience.
Introducing Everything We Should Have Taught You in High School, But Never Did: The Graduation Gift of Life’s Most Important Lessons by Dr. Richard Gary Shear, a new book from an award-winning educator who shares more than 70 lessons that have led a generation of students to become leaders, achieve personal happiness, and live life filled with joy.
Having been the principal of four separate high schools, Dr. Richard Gary Shear has learned these lessons from decades of experience and research. His final address to the graduating high school students was entitled, The Last Lesson of High School: All the Things We Should Have Taught You but Never Did. “It captured the secrets to a better, happier, more successful life and is the basis for this book, he says.
Everything We Should Have Taught You in High School, But Never Did is a must-read for new graduates and people of all ages, revealing important life insights, such as:
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Learning the Two Secrets to Success
-
How to Create the Rules of Life So You Win
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What Happy People Have in Common
-
The Importance of Self Kindness
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How to Keep Your Dreams Alive
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A Guide on How to Find the Right Answers
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The Superpower of a Positive Attitude and Temperament and much more!
From ShearAdvantage Inc.
RUBBLE OF RUBLES
By Josip Novakovich
“From Man Booker International Prize finalist Josip Novakovich comes a satiric novel with teeth—a tale of Russia in the early aughts, perfect for fans of Dostoevsky and Gary Shteyngart.
In this picaresque novel set in the early 2000s, David, an investment banker with Eastern European roots, goes bankrupt from the Enron fiasco, and moves to Russia to do some soul-searching. In the shadow of the Khazan cathedral, he’s arrested for the murder of two Georgian wine-importers. David is imprisoned at Kresty, bewildered and alone. One day, Putin himself visits, with a modest proposal for David: to travel to Georgia and slip plutonium into the president’s wine. This is the price of freedom: to assassinate a president.
Told with Josip Novakovich’s signature skill and satiric wit, Rubble of Rubles delves into the absurdity and menace of totalitarianism. At the crossroads of literary fiction, satire, and crime, this is a novel for modern fans of Notes from Underground and Absurdistan.”
From Dzanc Books
THE RIVER THE TOWN
By Farah Ali
“A poignant and powerful literary debut following the breakup of a Pakistani family in the face of climate disaster, and their indefatigable search for stability, love, and belonging.
In the rural town in Pakistan where Baadal grows up, children are named like talismans to sustain life and ward off unhappiness. At seventeen, Baadal has come to understand why his parents gave him that name, with hopes that their Big River will one day flow wide again, and their thirst will be quenched after years of drought. But in the final year of his schooling, abundance seems impossibly far away. As his parents’ marriage—full of rage, despair, and often violence—reaches a breaking point, the only comfort Baadal can afford is a budding kinship with Meena, a divorced older woman he meets on the banks of the drying river.
Meena has only just escaped her abusive husband, but her resistance to remarry soon gives way to the promise of stability and companionship that Baadal offers. Together, they leave the Town in search of greater fortunes in the City. But even strong-willed, independent Meena finds herself bowed by the strain of Badaal’s punishing work schedule, her struggling beauty parlor, and the tension with Baadal’s mother, Raheela, who fights for control of her son as she seeks to leave behind a life of disappointments and discover a freedom she’s never known.
Told in rotating perspectives spanning from 1966 to 1998, THE RIVER, THE TOWN is an intimate portrait of a family unraveling in the throes of indigence, and a tribute to the wounded love that keeps them tethered to each other. With stark and candid prose, Farah Ali traces one family’s fortunes to illuminate the relentless cycle of inequity, juxtaposing the tragic and grueling realities of poverty with the enduring struggle for compassion and humanity.”
From Dzanc Books
MOSHI MOSHI: A Travelogue
By Winnie Liu
“Embark on an adorable manga-style illustrated adventure to Japan and its unique neighborhoods, delicious street food, and more in this one-of-a-kind travel guide and memoir.
Illustrator Winnie Liu dreamed of exploring Japan since she was a child. In her junior year of college, she received the chance of a lifetime to study abroad there for a semester.
Armed with her pens and sketchbook, she brings her unique lens as an artist, avid foodie, and anime fan to this charming illustrated travel diary. Guides to both popular and under-the-radar neighborhoods of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto are interspersed with fun anecdotes and crash course guides to daily life in Japan. Winnie shares tips for using slang, eating like a local, and maximizing a konbini (convenience store) run!
Filled with cute illustrations, funny commentary, and collages of memorabilia, this delightful travelogue will transport you to Japan!”
From Ulysses Press
ONLY AND EVER THIS
By J.A. Tayler
“In Only and Ever This, a family must endure father loss, a mother’s grief, and roiling adolescence, slipping as it does into arcades, caves, and the young love for a ghostly girl up the street.
A mother clings to twin sons, desperate to keep them from becoming their father, a pirate forever sailing away. In this rain-soaked township, she will attempt to mummify them, piece by piece, to stop them from growing up, a hope founded in magic and immortality. Meanwhile, their father obsesses the seas with his own belief in ever-lasting life, learning too late that his heart belongs on shore.”
From Dzanc Books
GIRL COUNTRY
By Jacqueline Vogtman
“Winner of the Dzanc Shorty Story Collection Prize
A near-future farmer battling environmental crises takes in a mysterious girl he finds on the roadside. A bus driver navigates through treacherous weather and memories of her tragic past as she races to save children from the end of the world. A woman keeps giving birth to children from different time periods. And a woman struggles with her young daughter mysteriously transforming into something wild and unruly, confronting themes of motherhood and family.
In Girl Country, stories range from medieval Belgium to the near future of the American Midwest, populated by mothers and monsters, mermaids and milkmaids, nuns and bus drivers—women in every walk of life, but particularly working-class women, navigating the intersection of the mundane and the magical. Perfect for fans of Orange World and Animal Wife, these are stories about women with teeth—wild and alive.”
From Dzanc Books
THE LOVED ONES
By Madison Daves
“Winner of the Dzanc Nonfiction Prize, The Loved Ones presents an intimate portrait of family grief, for fans of Maggie Nelson’s Jane: A Murder and Kristin Prevallet’s I, Afterlife
There are so many ways to bury the dead. In an autobiographical series of essays, The Loved Ones explores the deaths of four family members across three generations: an inexplicable double murder, a fatal car accident, a long illness, and a conscripted solider killed in action.
Piece by piece, each essay explores the death a loved one in a collage of vignettes: the loss, the aftermath, the funerals, and the rituals used to say goodbye to the body. As the investigation deepens, Davis lines up other forms of death—capital punishment and murder; medically-assisted suicide and “natural” death from disease; military conscription and “freak accident”—to see what comes to the surface.
The Loved Ones is about the intricate reality of grief, the instability of time and memory in the face of loss, and the feeling of being left behind still living. It asks, what does it mean to bury our loved ones when our only desire is to never let them go?”
From Dzanc Books
ONE BUCKET LIST TO RULE THEM ALL
250 Ideas for Tolkien Fans to Celebrate Their Favorite Books, TV Shows, Movies, and More, By Tom Grimm
(Independently authored and published. Not affiliated with owner of Tolkien-related copyrights and trademarks.)
“Celebrate Middle Earth, LOTR, The Hobbit, Rings of Power, and all things Tolkien with an adventure-heavy book filled with thrilling things to do and experiences every fantasy lover will rejoice in.
The fantastic realms created by J. R. R. Tolkien keep readers enchanted all over the world. The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are among the most famous and popular tales ever written. Now you can take your love for Middle Earth even further with a Tolkien-themed bucket list. This book offers a great selection of 250 ideas and projects every committed Tolkien follower should check off before headed to The Halls of Waiting, including:
- Explore real hobbit caves
- Learn to speak the Elvish tongue
- Try a slice of lembas bread
- And more exciting and fun ideas!
One Bucket List to Rule Them All brings fantasy into the real world and is the perfect gift for any devoted fantasy and adventure fan.”
From Ulysses Press
WEDNESDAY
An Unofficial Coloring Book of The Morbid And Ghastly, Illustrated By Amanda Brack
(This book in not associated with or authorized or approved by Charles Addams, MGM Television, Millar Gough Ink, Tim Burton Productions, Toluca Pictures, or Netflix.)
“Celebrate your love of Wednesday Addams with this morbidly charming coloring book inspired by the hit Netflix show.
Color your way through Wednesday’s dark and twisted world with original, hand-drawn illustrations that will pull you by your braids into Jericho, Vermont and leave your head spinning.”
From Ulysses Press
THE MAGICAL GIRLS SELF-CARE COLORING BOOK
By Jacque Aye and Venus Bambisa
“Calling all Sailor Moon fans, Cardcaptor Sakura fans, Tokyo Mew Mew fans, and all magical girls to color in a self-love, self-esteem-boosting adventure with this unique coloring book for adults!
Be empowered on your adventure to find your best self with The Magical Girl’s Self-Care Coloring Book! Inspired by the iconic magical girls of your childhood, this follow-up coloring book contains over thirty gorgeous illustrations designed to guide you on your self-care journey!”
From Ulysses Press
LAND OF SPIRITS: An Unofficial Coloring Book
By Suhendra
“Celebrate your love for Studio Ghibli with this unique collection of hand-drawn illustrations inspired by the whimsical and ethereal settings from Hayao Miyazaki’s most beloved animated films.
Travel to the land of spirits (Yomi-no-kuni) to visit castles floating on the wind, water-bound homes, quiet hillside villages, and magnificent bathhouses with this adult coloring book crafted for fans of Japanese anime and the Studio Ghibli collection.”
From Ulysses Press
BROOKLYN BOUND: A Coloring Book
By Mikayfa Sherify
“Celebrate New York City’s best borough as you color your way through detailed illustrations of architecture, local spots, and more iconic scenes from Brooklyn.
Escape into the very best parts of New York City living with Brooklyn Bound: A Coloring Book. Relax and color your way through the streets of Brooklyn with detailed illustrations of gorgeous neighborhoods like Red Hook, Bed Stuy, Williamsburg, Crown Heights, and more. Discover vibrant spots like Prospect Park, stunning architecture like the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, historical places like Greenwood Cemetery, and so much more. You may even discover some fun facts about Brooklyn along the way. Whether you’re a local, visitor, or curious explorer, you will love this artsy guide to Brooklyn.”
From Ulysses Press
ARE YOU GONNA EAT THAT?
The essential collection of The Can Talk Coming
By Jimmy Craig
These colorful illustrated comics include the inner thoughts of creatures from across the animal kingdom—from misunderstood sharks and trouble-making bears to the often complicated relationship between you and your pet cat. Get dating advice from raccoons, some life perspective from dogs, and learn why cats are always knocking things off of shelves.
Updated to include brand new comics, fan favorites, redrawn classics, Are You Gonna Eat That? is the perfect quirky gift for any lover of animals, or for anyone who just loves to laugh.”
From Ulysses Press
LET ME KNOCK THAT OFF THE COUNTER FOR YOU
By the Editors of Ulysses Press
“Discover the secret thoughts of our cheeky yet charming pet cats, with 50 adorable, full-color photos of cats paired with their hilarious commentary.
Ever wonder what devious plan your cat is thinking up next? Or why they insist on meowing at your door at 2 a.m.?
In Let Me Knock That Off the Counter For You, our sweet but sassy feline friends impart their innermost thoughts and snarky reasons for why they walk around like they own the place. Packed with engaging photos and comical snippets of cat insight, this book helps us mere humans better appreciate those moments of happiness (and exasperation) we share with our cats every day.”
From Ulysses Press
Great book list! I am excited to check out the CATAN cookbook.
I love books! You have a lot of awesome ones listed here that I might have to get.
I love cookbooks and there are more than a few on this list that I would be very happy to receive as a gift!
I love that you shared some cookbooks in here, too! ALthough I am addicted to all books, I am low on cookbook options. I also could use some coloring books, as I have been feeling like coloring to chill out at end of busy days. Thanks for this resource.
My daughter loves reading. Now that the kids are in school she has time to read.
A wonderful holiday gift guide that is full of amazing ideas! Thank you so much for sharing
These ideas are so good and helpful! I might get some of these. Thanks!
I see several books to give as gifts. Especially the cook books. One can never have too many of those.
I love your book lists. Book is the best gift to give this holiday!
There are some really lovely books here that would make wonderful gifts. I know I would really love all of the recipe books so I can expand my menus further.
I love books and I love to give books as a gift! Thank you for these ideas!
I haven’t used a cookbook in a very long time. I mostly pull recipes from the internet instead. I’ll have to check out some of the books you have listed.