Top Ten Tuesday | Books I’d like to Gift

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted at That Artsy Reader Girl. You can find everything you need to know about joining in here! Each week you compile a list of ten books that coincide with that week’s theme.

This week’s theme is a freebie, so I thought I’d talk about ten books I’d like to gift someone for Christmas (or birthday, or any occasion for that matter).

I love it when people gift me books. But it happens so rarely; I guess that’s because people worry they may give something that offends?

I love to gift books along with a little something – maybe some candy, chocolate, or coffee/tea to go with it.

My only restriction is the books should look attractive (preferably but not necessarily hard-cover), not a readily available airport read, and the snack should be a cut above the standard grocery store stuff.

Here are the top ten books + candy combos I would love to gift someone.

For lovers of non-fiction

Two safe non-controversial non-fiction reads I would give are:

• The Life changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo – I still haven’t read this Marie Kondo book, which is probably why my house is such a dump, but it makes for a stunning present together with a delicious chocolate bar. I love the creaminess of the La Folie creamy coconut milk chocolate. Chocolate + coconut is amazing, why has no one ever done this before. Oh right, Bounty 😒.
• Scary Smart by Mo Gawdat – I’m almost afraid to read Scary Smart, but I’d like to gift it to someone and so get second-hand anxiety from listening to them speak about the book. To offset its scary dystopian nature, I’d offer one of my all-time favorite chocolates – the Marlborough Sea Salt and Caramel brittle from Whittakers.

For the kids

I love old children’s classics. Call me old-fashioned, but there’s a beauty, innocence, and charm to them that I don’t see in more modern books.

I don’t know if kids still enjoy such books or not. Still, I’d love to present some of my old childhood favorites, such as The BFG by Roald Dahl or The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (I have this copy, and it’s got the sweetest illustrations on the most excellent, thickest paper. Highly recommend!). Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll would also be a great gift choice.

Kids I find are more into quantity than quality when it comes to candy, so splurge on the most giant packs of Nerds, Runts, or Gobstoppers. They will love you for it!

For the literary buff

• Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart isn’t the most joyous of reads, but it’s an absolute masterpiece and an excellent gift for any serious reader. I loved it, and I have recommended it to such a lot of friends – although I make sure to let them know elements that may trigger – alcoholism, sexual assault, childhood neglect.
• I’m still attempting to wade into Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell. However it’s a solid option as a present – it’s had rave reviews. Great cover too! I have the exact edition as the one in the above image, and it looks even better in real life.
• When in doubt, trawl through the newest Booker shortlist. That’s what I’ve done here and No one is talking about this by Patricia Lockwood sounds brilliant! I could just gift this to myself! 

With such elegant-looking books, I’d have to pair some equally elegant-looking chocolate. I love the truffles by Charbonnel et Walker. I especially love how the pinkish-hue of this tin nicely complements these books.

For the hobbyist

Gifting a hobby-based book is the easiest.

• Smitten kitchen every day by Deb Perelman – I had a quick look through this book at the bookstore, and I loved it. It’s filled with fun and easy — but delicious and totally Instagramable — recipes that will have you actually looking forward to hitting the kitchen at the end of a long work day. Gift this to someone who loves to cook.
• A modern way to live by Matt Gibberd – A few of my friends and relatives are into interiors and architecture. So, this is a book I would love to gift them. Depending on occupation, you could find similar books that would prick someone’s interest.

I am running out of fancy chocolate recommendations a bit, but I thought I’d finish up with Tony’s chocolonely chocolates. All I know about this brand is that I love its packaging and bright colors. Hopefully, they taste as good as they look!

I hope you like my top ten book and chocolate gift suggestions. What books would you like to receive for Christmas (or any other occasion)?