Christmas was never a huge deal in my family. Of course we celebrated, but when I was a kid, the importance of the holiday was placed on spending time with family, and as I got older, that didn’t change much. I think as the years go on, we all become a little more aware how important time with our loved ones is, and Christmas is the perfect time to come together and celebrate each other.
But alas, people still ask you what you want each year. I like to think I’m pretty easy to buy for because I have so many interests, but my parents still make me tell them exactly what I want. To be honest, I don’t really need anything for Christmas (I’d be happy with a Target gift card, I swear!), but I think these books would be a nice addition to my collection and a great way to start off the new year. I’ve included a range of books for any type of reader in your life. So, let’s get started!
Photo from Amazon
1. “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline
This dystopian, science fiction novel set in the year 2044 is perfect for the reader in your life trying to branch out to more mature writing but still interested in a fascinating story. It’s about a world where you can virtually escape your reality to be anything you can dream of. Wade Watts is obsessed with figuring out the clues that the creator left behind for users that could lead to fame and fortune. But, when he finds the first clue that could lead to his ultimate triumph, he learns that figuring out this puzzle could mean life or death for him. Almost everyone in my family is currently reading this book, so hopefully someone will gift it to me for Christmas! I’ve been interested in reading it ever since it came out a few years ago because of the setting and the action-packed adventure it promises readers.
Image from Penguin Books
2. “Uncommon Type: Some Stories” by Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors — he’s incredibly talented — and I can only hope that his talent extends to his writing. Some of my favorite books to read are biographies, so I thought it would be interesting to learn about Tom Hanks from his creative writing. I’ve also made it a goal of mine in 2018 to read a variety of literature, including short stories.
Image from Goodreads
3. “Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard
Ever since I started blogging about books, “Red Queen” has been one of the most highly reviewed/talked about pieces of young adult literature in the community. I honestly don’t know why I haven’t read it yet, but it’s about time. “Red Queen” is a fantasy, young adult novel that follows a young girl, magically gifted as no other girl of her class, as she discovers who she is and what she can do to break down social barriers in her world. This is actually the first in a series, so there’s plenty of adventure to enjoy.
Image from Goodreads
4. “Utopia for Realists: Why Making the World a Better Place Isn’t a Fantasy and How We Can Do It” by Rutger Bregman
You can read the news any day of the week and find horrible stories about politics, the economy, environmental issues, and so much more, but just because the world is filled with so much hate, doesn’t mean it can’t be a better place. Right? In Bregman’s 2016 book, “Utopia for Realists,” he focuses on three main ideas on how to make the world a better place for all — shorter work weeks, better pay, and universal access to travel. As I become more independent, and more aware of how certain things affect my happiness, I think it’s important to read books like this that expand on my knowledge and challenge the current state of affairs.
5. “Sing, Unburied, Sing” by Jesmyn Ward
A 2017 National Book Award winner, “Sing, Unburied, Sing” is a game-changing novel that challenges what we think we know about family and loyalty. Ward’s known as being a very talented author, and I would love to read more acclaimed novels in the new year.
Let me know what books you’re looking forward to unwrapping on Christmas morning in the comments below.
Happy reading,
Kimberly