I won’t formally introduce Betsy because I don’t want to spoil her sweet intro below. But safe to say I am over-the-moon that she was willing to write a guest post for the blog on a topic that I consider very much ‘her lane’. She is my go-to person for book recommendations and she’s put together quite the holiday list for y’all.
Hey friends! KNW was kind enough to have me over to her little corner of the internet to chat books with you today! If you regularly tune into The Morning Show, you might know me. I’m Betsy and KNW and I became fast friends when she and KPW were living in Orlando. I followed her on IG and had worked with Southern Weddings at my then job so I thought we were a lot closer than we actually were–haha! I DMed her offering her breakfast and all the inside scoop on her new neighborhood and the rest is history!
Back to books…I’ve always been a reader, love recommending books to friends, and am lucky enough to work part time in the book space with Ashley Brooke Book Club. This won’t be my last post here but for today I’m going to make a few suggestions of books you could gift to people over the holidays–books make the best gifts, don’t you think?!
They’re practical, often pretty, and easy to ship! (Side note–I love to write a little inscription inside the cover of books I gift. Especially if there’s a special connection between the book and recipient in my mind). It was really hard for me to narrow down my suggestions so if you have a specific request not addressed here, feel free to shoot me an email!
Him: Is it just me or are the men on your list some of the hardest to buy for? Quite frankly there are just fewer categories for men–there is no beauty or accessory category to draw from and I myself find books to be a great place to start when gifting the guys in my life.
Pappyland by Wright Thompson is perfect for the bourbon loving guy in your life. Pair with cocktail glasses or whiskey rocks for an extra special touch.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline is the only fiction book I’ve ever gotten my own husband to read so that really says something. If you want to do a book bundle the sequel came out this fall and you could gift both at once!
You Never Forget Your First by Alyssa Coe is a book I read this year and think has great crossover appeal for every reader. A George Washington biography written by a woman that is much more accessible than your typical presidential biography.
Her: Honestly, this category could have had 15 sub-categories, but I did my best to hit some different genres and even some titles that will captivate your more reluctant readers.
Dear Farenheit 451 by Annie Spence is a book in one of my favorite genres: books about books. Did you know that’s a thing? Annie is a librarian who writes essays to some of her favorite (and not so favorite) books telling them just what she thinks about them.
Southern Lady Code by Helen Ellis is a laugh out loud collection of essays perfect for any Southern woman on your list. I’m also here for any book with multiple Designing Women references.
The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall is a top 10 book of all time for me. A quiet novel about two couples and how their lives and faith intersect will have you thinking about them for a long time.
The Duke and I by Juila Quinn is the first in the Bridgerton series: A delightful regency romance series about a large family that is coming to a Netflix queue near you this Christmas!
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager is a fantastic thriller for the Dateline lover on your list. It will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Picture + Chapter Books: In my mind toys can get out of control quickly but kiddos can never have too many books and I love children’s books. Here is a smattering of picture books and early chapter books since that’s what we’re reading most at our house right now.
Jabari Tries by Gaia Campbell is the follow-up to Jabari Jumps which we loved! In the same way Jabari Jumps encourages kids to be brave, Jabari Tries promotes grit and perseverance.
Paolo by Mac Barnett is GORGEOUS. And who couldn’t use a tour of Rome curated by a dachshund right about now?
The Book with No Pictures by BJ Novak has been on our shelves for a few years now and my kids still belly laugh every time we read it!
Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon is a chapter books series that I heard about from Reese Witherspoon and Jenna Bush Hager and my now 7 year old devoured them all earlier this year!
Missy Piggle Wiggle by Ann M. Martin and Annie Parnell is an update on the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books where Mrs. PIggle Wiggle magically cures children from diseases like not making their beds or not listening.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume is a classic children’s chapter book that kicks off the Superfudge series. I loved these books and am anxious to introduce my kids to them!
I hope some of these books help solve some of your bookish gift giving dilemmas this year. Thanks again to KNW for having me over to her virtual kitchen table to talk books today and stay tuned because you never know when I might pop in again!
Xoxo,
B
PS: Can we all agree that Betsy is a treasure? The babies affectionately call her AB or Auntie B and have figured out how to Facetime her without my help. I will forever be grateful that she slide into my DMs and invited me to brunch. I can also guarantee this wont be the last time you hear from her. xo, KNW
Loved this post! Can’t wait to read and gift some of these books! The Dearly Beloved is first up on my list to read!
Thanks to Betsy I’m now adding all to my reading list. I saw that CBS’s Sunday Morning show did a little segment on the Pappyland a few weeks ago and it was already on my list after I saw it.