I’m a very firm believer that books are 100% the most effective, yet underrated gifts.
When someone says “book”, most people automatically jump straight to fiction and ‘book people’ so the idea of giving a book to a ‘non reader’ can sound a little silly.
In this post, we’re leaving all assumptions behind and stepping out of the box as I show you my top recommendations- I’ve even got some for people who don’t like to read.
I’ve also collaborated with EcilaReads who has kindly made a Youtube video with some of her top picks which you can watch by clicking here.
Harry Potter
There is a very good reason that the Harry Potter series makes up 7 of the top 10 best selling books of all time.
To me, reading this series is like a rite of passage in the book world, and for fiction fans young and old, it’s a total classic. It’s witty, cleverly written, intriguing, and obviously very very magical.
If there is a child in your life that loves to read and is starting to advance to books that are a tiny bit more challenging, the series is DEFINITELY a great choice. They’re a tad longer than traditional children’s books but are still easy to follow.
If you know of someone who is already a fan of the series, Harry Potter merchandise always goes down a treat. There are endless options out there, so go hog wild!
Fiction
If you’re buying for a fiction lover, things can get a little bit tricky.
Every reader has a taste in genre whether they like to admit it or not. While any book would be greatly appreciated, catering to their taste will definitely get you the most points.
Once you’ve narrowed it down, your next battle will be finding something that they don’t already own.
Usually, bestsellers are bestsellers because they’re good, so starting there can be a great help.
John Green’s Turtles all the way down is currently sweeping the charts and while I haven’t yet finished it, it’s already earned my stamp of approval. It’s a great choice for young adults with a preference for contemporary novels or an interest in the exploration of mental health, but I also feel that pretty much anyone could pick it up and love it- that’s just how good John Green is.
However if your giftee is a MAJOR book collector, it’s probably a good idea to steer clear of this one, and basically anything on the bestseller list because chances are, they’ve already read it. I recommend checking out some indie publishers or smaller bookstores to find something a little more unique in this case.
Classics
If your giftee is into classic novels, you’re in luck.
While your selection may be limited in store, there are a plethora of slightly more obscure classics that can be found online.
But if you want to get a little fancy, consider buying a special edition of their favourite novel. When a book has been on the market for such a long time, there are countless versions of it, so do a little digging and see what you can find.
Comedy and Special Interest
The comedy and special interest shelves are where you will find a gem for someone who ‘doesn’t read’.
It’s pretty simple really; think about what they’re interested in, and buy a book about it.
Science, makeup, fashion, art, interior design, gaming, sport- you name it, there’s a book about it.
Biographies
On the same wavelength as special interest, biographies can be great for people who aren’t interested in reading fiction.
If your giftee admires someone in the public eye, chances are there will be a book about, or by them. It’s pretty self explanatory really.
Cook Books
Cook books go down a treat with many different types of people.
From amateurs to professionals, everybody can benefit from learning new recipes, so finding one suited to their lifestyle is a must.
If you know someone who will be or has recently moved out of home, this is definitely a practical choice.
History
Not everyone will enjoy receiving a history book, but if you know someone who has an interest in a specific area of history, you’ve come to the right place.
There are a great deal of options out there at many different price points, so you’re guaranteed to find what you’re looking for
If you have any specific book recommendations, I’d love to hear from you! Tell me all about them in the comments below.
Until tomorrow, 😉
