📚Gifts for the reader with too many books
Plus the last of the Aspen Words submissions and two delicious fall meals
Hey, readers!
I know it’s only the first of November and all talk of the holidays feels both premature and particularly stressful this year. In my house, we’re not sure what we’ll be doing this holiday season but are holding out hope that we’ll get to spend quality time with family. I know many of you are likely feeling similar concerns, plus with the continuing pandemic and wind up to the election, the last thing on many of our minds is holiday gifts.
At the same, we’re being encouraged to shop early this year due to supply shortage issues and shipping concerns. Plus it can be fun to start thinking about giving and receiving gifts! We could all use a little cheer in these dark, gloomy days and what’s more cheery than finding the perfect presents for the people we love.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some gift recommendations for various types of readers and recipients on your holiday list. Some of the links you’ll find below are affiliate links, but I promise I’ll never recommend something I don’t love (or want!) myself. I’m having so much fun putting these together and I can’t wait to share them with you!
This week in books.
This week I read…
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart*. This book is a critical darling and I can see why: it has complex characters, rich writing, and plenty of tragedy. It’s truly beautiful family story and perfect for fans of A Little Life, The Heart’s Invisible Furies, and Angela’s Ashes. Amazon | Bookshop
Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara*. An engaging mystery told through the charming voice of a child named Jai, this book explores a true story of missing children. Amazon | Bookshop
Silence is My Mother Tongue by Sulaiman Addonia*. Set in a Sudanese refugee camp, this book is incredibly hard to read, but it gave me a wonderful and enriching perspective on a completely unfamiliar experience. Amazon | Bookshop
All My Mother’s Lovers by Ilana Masad*. This is an unusual and compelling family story about a stack of letters that lead a young woman on a journey to discover who her mother really was after her untimely death. Amazon | Bookshop
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman. I adore Hoffman’s writing and was excited to read this one with the FictionMatters Patreon Book Club. There were mixed opinions on this and it’s certainly a very particular style and story. But I really enjoyed the sibling story and the delightful magical elements. Hoffman is also truly gifted at using magic as metaphor and this book is filled with sweet pieces of wisdom that I’ll remember for a long time. Amazon | Bookshop
*These books are submissions for the Aspen Literary Prize. Due to my participation on the selection committee, I will not be able to fully review these works until the long list is announced on November 10th.
Now I’m reading…
Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Peterson. I adore Peterson’s weekly newsletter so I’m very eager to explore her longform writing. The topic of millennial burnout and working on passions without pay is also very relevant for me right now! Amazon | Bookshop
I put aside…
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow. I started this book at the beginning of the month, and I know I’m going to love this book when I commit to finishing it. But after I finished reading my Aspen Words submissions, I just wanted to start something new and going back to this one didn’t feel exciting enough. Amazon | Bookshop
And I picked up…
I went on a little book buying spree to celebrate finishing my Aspen Words reading. I got this collection of short stories I’ve had my eye on forever, a brand new fantasy novel, and a beautiful edition of one of my favorite classics.
10 bookish gifts for the reader with too many books.
You know this giftee—you may very well be this giftee. This is the reader in your life who you want to buy books for, but it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll own or have read whatever you select for them. I’ve certainly been that person in my friends’ and family’s lives so I know this dilemma well! If you’re looking for a gift for the reader with overflowing shelves, I’ve got quite a few suggestions that are sure to please.
A book cart is a great gift for anyone who has too many books and not enough shelves. I also love my book tower (I added this to my own holiday list because I think two side-by-side will look extra nice).
The Novelogue 100 Epic Reads Bucket List Scratch Poster will help your favorite bibliophile track their reading in a way that’s both fun and visually appealing.
When in doubt, go with a book about books. My favorite is Jane Mount’s Bibliophile, but the new Call Me Ishmael book is another fun and engaging resource for book lovers. I also enjoy paging through my copy of 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die when I’m deciding what to read next (there’s a page-a-day calendar version if you’re trying to avoid books altogether!).
A copy of a reader’s favorite book with a different and beautiful cover is always a fun gift. My go-to source is Blackwells Book’s in Oxford because so many of my favorites have particularly lovely UK covers.
Beautiful editions of beloved classics are great gifts for readers. I love this colorful set of Jane Austen’s collected works, this jewel-toned Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, all of the Penguin Classics Deluxe editions designed by Ruben Toledo, this Alice in Wonderland, and this Little Women.
A Libro.fm subscription. I use my audiobook credits to get through some of the books I have on my physical TBR shelves, plus this gift is an excellent way to support independent bookstores.
The Book Riot Read Harder journal offers reading challenges to help readers tackle their unread shelves.
Juniper Books is a local Boulder, CO business that offers beautiful custom book sets. They also sell just the jackets so the book hoarder in your life can upgrade their shelves without adding any new books.
A donation to their local library in their name. Libraries are hurting right now so donations are much appreciated and many library systems offer patrons special perks like early access to their used book sales.
A gift card to their local indie. You may not be able to identify what books your bibliophile friend doesn’t own, but they undoubtedly have a list in mind! A gift card to an independent bookstore helps keep indies afloat this holiday season and will sure to please your book loving friends. (P.S. if there’s not an indie bookstore near your bookish loved one check out this list of Black-owned to support.)
Bookish reading.
Several readers messaged me after last week’s newsletter saying they’re looking for more under-the-radar books to read. Check out this list of 20 small press books from 2020 to find some lesser-known gems for your reading list.
Support your favorite indie bookstores and get yourself some cute merch.
16 New Books to Watch for in November
When someone is willing to make the claim about the books every person needs to read in their lifetime, I have to see what they suggest. There are definitely some good ones (and some head scratchers) on this list.
If you’ve been following the conversations about diversity in publishing, this update is a must-read.
8 Excellent Books on Democracy in its Many Forms
This satirical job posting for pandemic teaching position made me laugh, but also feel incredibly grateful for all the teachers holding things together.
End notes.
Watching: We watched all three Robert Langdon movies this week: The DaVinci Code, Angels & Demons, and Inferno. They are…not great. But it was a wildly fun viewing experience and The DaVinci Code is available for free on Amazon Prime.
Listening: Maintenance Phase. It’s a new podcast from one of my favorite journalists, Michael Hobbs. It’s all about diet and weight-loss culture and the problematic and incorrect ideas we have about weight and health.
Making:Â This butter chicken recipe was delicious. I also made these deluxe grilled-cheese sandwiches for lunch twice in the last week.
Loving:Â I started added collagen powder to my morning coffee again. I really do feel like it helps keep my hair, skin, and nails hydrated and healthy, especially in the winter.
Readers, I hope you’re enjoying gifting your favorite readers this season. For questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing fictionmattersbooks@gmail.com or responding directly to this newsletter. Michelle and I love hearing from you!
If you’re looking for more book recommendations and delightful bookish community, consider supporting FictionMatters on Patreon.
And if you enjoyed today’s newsletter, please forward it to a book-loving friend. That’s a great way to spread bookish cheer and support the newsletter!
Happy reading!
Sara
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