Last year, I shared a list of Coffee Table Books you could give as gifts. This year, some of my ideas are coffee table type books and others are just books that could make good gifts. I hope there is something for everyone on this list and as usual, I am linking to Amazon and these are affiliate links, so if you use them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.
Scenic Science of the National Parks by Emily Hoff and Maygen Keller
The national parks are some of the most beloved, visited, and biodiverse places on Earth. They’re also scientific playgrounds where you can learn about plants, animals, and our planet’s coolest geological features firsthand. Scenic Science of the National Parks curates and breaks down the compelling and offbeat natural science highlights of each park, from volcanic activity, glaciers, and coral reefs to ancient redwood groves, herds of bison, giant bats, and beyond. Featuring full-color illustrations, information on the history and notable features of each park, and insider tips on how to get the most out of your visit, this delightful book is the perfect addition to any park lover’s collection.
Mother, Can You Not? by Kate Siegel
There is nothing more wonderful than a mother’s love. There is also nothing more annoying. Who else can proudly insist that you’re perfect while simultaneously making you question every career, fashion, and relationship decision you have ever made?
No one understands the delicate mother-daughter dynamic better than Kate Siegel—her own mother drove her so crazy that she decided to broadcast their hilarious conversations on Instagram. Soon, hundreds of thousands of people were following their daily text exchanges, eager to see what outrageous thing Kate’s mom would do next. Now, in Mother, Can You NOT?, Kate pays tribute to the woman who invented the concept of drone parenting.
From embarrassing moments (like crashing Kate’s gynecological exams) to outrageous stories (like the time she made Kate steal a cat from the pound) to hilarious celebrations (including but not limited to parties for Kate’s menstrual cycles), Mother, Can you NOT? lovingly lampoons the lengths to which our mothers will go to better our lives (even if it feels like they’re ruining them in the process).
William Shakespeare Complete Works edited by Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen
Skillfully assembled by Shakespeare’s fellow actors in 1623, the First Folio was the original Complete Works—arguably the most important literary work in the English language. But starting with Nicholas Rowe in 1709 and continuing to the present day, Shakespeare editors have mixed Folio and Quarto texts, gradually corrupting the original Complete Works with errors and conflated textual variations.
The second edition of the Complete Works features annotations and commentary from Jonathan Bate and Eric Rasmussen—two of today’s preeminent Shakespeare scholars—as well as cutting-edge textual design, on-page glossaries for contemporary readers, stage directions from RSC directors, a sixteen-page insert of photographs from RSC production shorts, a timeline of the plays and poems, and family trees for the Histories.
Combining innovative scholarship with brilliant commentary and textual analysis that emphasizes performance history and values, this landmark edition is indispensable to students, theater professionals, and general readers alike.
Mental Floss: The Curious Reader by Erin McCarthy
Readers rejoice! From Mental Floss, an online destination for more than a billion curious minds since its founding in 2001, comes the ultimate book for lovers of literature. From Americanah to War and Peace, from Chinua Achebe and Jane Austen to Jesmyn Ward and George R.R. Martin, learn surprising facts about the world’s most famous novels and novelists.
The Curious Reader will delight bookworms everywhere. This literary compendium from Mental Floss reveals fascinating facts about the world’s most famous authors and their literary works. Readers will learn about George Orwell’s near-death experience during the writing of 1984; meet the real man who may have inspired Pride and Prejudice’s Mr. Darcy; discover which famous author kept her husband’s heart after he passed away; and learn about the influence of psychedelics on Dune. The Curious Reader also contains the most-loved book-related articles from 20 years of Mental Floss, including “Cat-Loving Writers,” “Famous Authors’ Unfinished Manuscripts,” “Literary Characters Based on Real People,” and “Books You Didn’t Know Were Self-Published.”
This literary miscellany is certain to inspire book lovers, aspiring writers, students, and teachers alike to discover a diverse selection of curated literary works—leading to an expansion of their library!
Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown
In Atlas of the Heart, Brown takes us on a journey through eighty-seven of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and an actionable framework for meaningful connection, she gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances—a universe where we can share and steward the stories of our bravest and most heartbreaking moments with one another in a way that builds connection.
Over the past two decades, Brown’s extensive research into the experiences that make us who we are has shaped the cultural conversation and helped define what it means to be courageous with our lives. Atlas of the Heart draws on this research, as well as on Brown’s singular skills as a storyteller, to show us how accurately naming an experience doesn’t give the experience more power—it gives us the power of understanding, meaning, and choice.
Love Real Food by Kathryne Taylor
The path to a healthy body and happy belly is paved with real food—fresh, wholesome, sustainable food—and it doesn’t need to be so difficult. No one knows this more than Kathryne Taylor of America’s most popular vegetarian food blog, Cookie + Kate.
With brand-new, creative recipes, Taylor inspires you to step into the kitchen and cook wholesome plant-based meals, again and again. She’ll change your mind about kale and quinoa, and show you how to make the best granola you’ve ever tasted. You’ll find make-your-own instant oatmeal mix and fluffy, naturally sweetened, whole-grain blueberry muffins; hearty green salads and warming soups; pineapple pico de gallo; healthier homemade pizzas; and even a few favorites from the blog. Of course, Love Real Food wouldn’t be complete without plenty of stories starring Taylor’s veggie-obsessed, rescue dog sous-chef, Cookie! Taylor celebrates whole foods by encouraging you not just to “eat this,” but to eat like this. Take it from her readers: you’ll love how you feel.
Maybe An Artist by Liz Montague
When Liz Montague was a senior in college, she wrote to the New Yorker, asking them why they didn’t publish more inclusive comics. The New Yorker wrote back asking if she could recommend any. She responded: yes, me.
Those initial cartoons in the New Yorker led to this memoir of Liz’s youth, from the age of five through college–how she navigated life in her predominantly white New Jersey town, overcame severe dyslexia through art, and found the confidence to pursue her passion. Funny and poignant, Liz captures the age-old adolescent questions of “who am I?” and “what do I want to be?” with pitch-perfect clarity and insight.
This brilliant, laugh-out-loud graphic memoir offers a fresh perspective on life and social issues and proves that you don’t need to be a dead white man to find success in art.
Boys Will Be Human by Justin Baldoni
Have you ever noticed that there are unwritten rules that tell boys how to act, think, and feel? Nobody knows where they came from, but one day—BAM!—you suddenly feel these invisible forces, pushing you to follow the rules of masculinity, even if they don’t make you happy.
This book isn’t about learning the rules of the boys’ club, it’s about UNLEARNING them. It’s a get-real guidebook that will show you how to be:
- Brave enough to reveal who you really are
- Smart enough to ask questions
- Cool enough to feel all your emotions
- Confident enough to know your worth
- Strong enough to speak your truth
—and much, much more.
Be prepared: This book is raw and surprising. There is no subject off-limits or lies detected. Sometimes things might get a little uncomfortable, but that’s an important part of getting to know—and believe in—yourself.
Don’t worry, you’re not on this journey alone, so let’s jump in together to become the smartest, bravest, strongest HUMANS we can be!
Revolutionary Women by Ann Shen
Discover the remarkable true stories of a diverse group of women who were trailblazers and leaders in their field, becoming visible icons of excellence in their communities and beyond. From making their mark on the big screen and in the halls of NASA to ruling on the courts of the US Open and the Supreme Court, their incredible stories will inspire you to embrace your authentic self and live your life in full color.
For fans of Ann Shen’s beloved Bad Girls Throughout History, this spiritual successor celebrates the accomplishments of these incredible women alongside Ann Shen’s signature artwork. From dancers, actors, and singers to scientists, astronauts, politicians, and activists, these women used their voices and their passions to change the world. They include:
• Gloria Estefan, one of the best-selling female music artists of all time.
• Anna Sui, an iconic fashion designer for over four decades.
• Bessie Stringfield, the motorcycle queen of Miami.
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever sworn into Congress.
• Misty Copeland, the first Black woman principal dancer at American Ballet Theater.
• Joyce Chen, the first Chinese celebrity chef.
Revolutionary Women captures their extraordinary stories in a beautiful and inspiring format that elevates their achievements. Readers will love the new take on Ann Shen’s beloved first book, as well as the uplifting stories, beautiful and rich art, and the inspiration for readers to forge their own paths.
The Phantomwise Tarot and Guidebook by Erin Morgenstern
Welcome to The Phantomwise Tarot. This black-and-white world is a little bit circusy, a little bit Wonderland, and a little bit nocturnal phantasia of its own invention. It is a mix of myth and fairy tale, where each individual you meet may be an illusion, reflection, or distortion.
When Erin Morgenstern was working on her international bestseller The Night Circus, she began a creative exercise to better understand the complexities of the tarot. This painted series captures the themes of each of the 78 cards in a traditional Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck with equal parts whimsy and mystery. Archetypal figures like The Fool, The Hierophant, and The Lovers emerge from dark skies and swirling clouds. The ravens may not be what they seem. The cats know more than they’ll ever tell. The accompanying guidebook offers interpretations of the cards and suggested spreads for tarot readings for beginners and expert readers alike.
These cards have waited patiently for over a decade to find their way into the world. Please welcome them into yours.
100 Disney Adventures of a Lifetime by Marcy Carriker Smothers
Wake up to the sight of giraffes grazing outside your window. Watch the Disneyland fireworks from the Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge, far away from the crowds. Taste your way through six continents at EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival. Go on a family journey to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks with National Geographic.
You can find all of these incredible experiences and more in this awe-inspiring collection of 100 not-to-be-missed adventures that bring the magic of Disney to life.
There’s something for everyone in these pages: milestone moments (your child’s first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, U.S.A.), inside-the-park must-dos (watching the neon lights turn on at dusk at Cars Land), fun excursions (a snorkel in a private saltwater lagoon at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa), and VIP extras (a private dinner in Walt Disney’s New Orleans Square apartment). Other adventures include:
· See the dragon under Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Paris
· Take an exclusive after-hours tour of Egypt’s Luxor Temple
· Celebrate Lunar New Year Disney style
· Meet Jedis and droids aboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
· Visit Shanghai Disneyland’s Zootopia-themed land
· Trek through the Animal Kingdom on a wild safari
· Pan for gold with Donald Duck on a cruise to Alaska
· Fly around the world in 24 days with National Geographic
· And so much more!
Along with beautiful imagery that will shape your Disney wish list, this illuminating guide includes pilgrimages to historic Disney sites, insider stories, and inspiration for planning your next Disney vacation.
All that’s left to do is wish upon a star―and go!
Coming of Age in 2020 by Katherine Schulten
A time capsule of art and artifacts, created by Gen Z.
Everyone knows what coming of age in America is supposed to look like. Then came 2020. Instead of proms and championship games and all-night hangouts with friends, there was school on Zoom from bed. In this book, teenagers from across the country show how they coped with a world on fire, as a pandemic raged, political divides hardened, and the Black Lives Matter movement galvanized millions. Via diary entries, comics, photos, poems, paintings, charts, lists, Lego sculptures, songs, recipes, and rants, they tell the story of the year that will define their generation.
The pieces in this collection, chosen from more than 5,500 submitted to a contest on the New York Times Learning Network, provide an arresting documentation of how ordinary teenagers experienced extraordinary events. But for every creative expression of terror, frustration, loneliness, and anxiety, there is another of meaning, joy, resilience, and hope.
Storybooth by Storybooth
Everyone has a story.
These are ours.
Each one of these tales connects you to someone you never knew. A real person, sharing their lived experience. Exciting, inspirational, heartwrenching, uplifting, humorous, devastating, thought-provoking—TRUE.
Storybooth illustrates for readers that no matter what is happening in their world, they are not alone.
Real stories submitted by real people, Storybooth allows each contributor to speak for themselves about their experiences, imparting a myriad of raw, achingly honest, and deeply soulful truths with the power to touch each and every individual reader.
100 Cities 5000 Ideas by Joe Yogurst
Grab your passport and get ready to explore 100 cities around the world. This informative travel guide–the next in National Geographic’s blockbuster 5,000 Ideas series–takes you from skyscraper-filled concrete jungles to coastal urban oases. You’ll find hot tips for the best sights, bites, museums, and more for each location, as well as practical planning advice for when to go and what to expect when you arrive. And there’s something in these pages for every traveler: history buff, art lover, foodie, beach bum, or anyone in between. Take a dim sum tour through San Francisco’s Chinatown; hop a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto to capture two of Japan’s best cities in one vacation; discover the hidden historical gems in bustling Mumbai; bathe in the sun on Sydney’s beaches; temple hop your way through Bangkok and shop its floating markets; stand on the edge of the world in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city; take a walk through art history in Florence; or go on an urban safari in Nairobi. Filled with expert tips, bonus side trip suggestions, and tons of innovative activities, this is an inspirational and practical keepsake for any kind of globetrotter.
Pickleball is Life by Erin McHugh
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America. Easy to learn, but impossible to master, it’s no wonder that nearly 5 million people nationwide have picked up their paddles and taken to the court. But people aren’t just dabbling in this up-and-coming activity, they are obsessed; some hit the court as many as five, six, even seven times a week. As Vanity Fair put it, pickleball has “won over everyone, from Leonardo DiCaprio to your grandparents.”
Pickleball Is Life is the first book of its kind celebrating the weird and wonderful world of pickleball. It will take readers on a journey from the sport’s quirky origins to its modern-day cult following. Along the way, visual info graphs and illustrations will share even more pickleball knowledge, including etiquette tips, a DIY court, obscure rules, and pointers for (good-natured) trash talk. Also included are interviews with members of the three founding families from Bainbridge Island who are still very much involved in the sport and its growth.
People of all ages, athletic abilities, and backgrounds have fallen in love with pickleball. Sure, it’s a good workout, but it’s also a cheerful way to interact with others—something folks crave now more than ever. So, whether they’re uninitiated or obsessed, this book will help readers find even more to love about the world’s greatest sport.
Which of these books would you want for yourself or to gift to someone?
