If you're part of a group/tradition that does gift-giving in the winter, you're probably being barraged with ideas, so I'm sorry to add to the pile up. But I looooooooooooooooooove recommending things and I love gifting, so I'm inserting myself into the melee.
Marissa A. Ross, Wine. All the Time.: The Casual Guide to Confident Drinking
I've bought this book for myself, and I plan on gifting it to people who are in their mid-20s and their mid-50s (translation: this book is great whether you're new to adulthood or old hat). This wonderfully irreverent and accessible guide has totally changed my relationship with wine, and I've had to stop myself from chasing people around liquor stores recommending this book. Imagine you have a non-snobbish friend who is well-versed in drinking good wine, and she knows you're on a budget but that you also have aspirations to eat/drink a little more fancy, or healthy, or both. Ross is that friend, and she walks you through every aspect of wine: types and why you should care; how to read labels; growing regions; tasting notes; and so on. She shook us out of our three-buck Chuck purchases, and so far, we've been well rewarded.
Girl of All Work: Classic Character Sticky Tabs
I was gifted a set of Great Gatsby character sticky tabs last year and I love them so much. They're great as small bookmarks or note-taking flags. Unabridged Toddler uses them on his toys. Pretty much, if you've got someone who loves office supplies and books, you need to gift them at least one set of these stickies. (And honestly, the rest of the stuff Girl of All Work does is also wickedly adorable, so apologies if you go broke there!)
Eric Carle Museum: Mo Willems' Pigeon Bumper Sticker and/or Eric Carle Bath Toys
If you've got a parent in your life, especially one who is in the early book portion of child-rearing, these two presents might be especially appreciated. The Eric Carle Museum's gift shop has adorable, unique book gifts I haven't seen elsewhere, so you'll likely get something they don't already have AND you'll support a great museum.
Unabridged Toddler was gifted the bath toys and they're just uh-dorable. As devoted Pigeon fans, this bumper sticker brings me non-stop joy. (The museum has a dedicated Mo Willems section that includes gorgeous, playful fabric inspired by his books. It makes me wish I could sew!)
Friend of [Your Town's] Library: Donation!
Libraries save lives. In addition to free access to media, most libraries also provide enormously important services in our communities. This year, our family realized we need to start demonstrating our appreciation for our libraries, and we're making a donation to the Friends of our local library branch. Almost all libraries have 'em. Donate in a beloved reader's name! (Lucky enough to have access to books and media without needing to use your library regularly? Make a gift anyway!)
And finally, I recommend most of the books I've read this year. I'll make my top ten list later in December, but there have been so many knockout reads this year, it's going to be a challenge -- and I'm not sure I could pick out one or two for this post. But if you are looking for recs, start there (or feel free to ask me as I looooove pairing people to books!).
What are some of your highly recommended bookish purchases for this year?
Bookish Things Unabridged Chick Thinks You Should Gift People: 2017 Edition
I've bought this book for myself, and I plan on gifting it to people who are in their mid-20s and their mid-50s (translation: this book is great whether you're new to adulthood or old hat). This wonderfully irreverent and accessible guide has totally changed my relationship with wine, and I've had to stop myself from chasing people around liquor stores recommending this book. Imagine you have a non-snobbish friend who is well-versed in drinking good wine, and she knows you're on a budget but that you also have aspirations to eat/drink a little more fancy, or healthy, or both. Ross is that friend, and she walks you through every aspect of wine: types and why you should care; how to read labels; growing regions; tasting notes; and so on. She shook us out of our three-buck Chuck purchases, and so far, we've been well rewarded.
I was gifted a set of Great Gatsby character sticky tabs last year and I love them so much. They're great as small bookmarks or note-taking flags. Unabridged Toddler uses them on his toys. Pretty much, if you've got someone who loves office supplies and books, you need to gift them at least one set of these stickies. (And honestly, the rest of the stuff Girl of All Work does is also wickedly adorable, so apologies if you go broke there!)
Eric Carle Museum: Mo Willems' Pigeon Bumper Sticker and/or Eric Carle Bath Toys
If you've got a parent in your life, especially one who is in the early book portion of child-rearing, these two presents might be especially appreciated. The Eric Carle Museum's gift shop has adorable, unique book gifts I haven't seen elsewhere, so you'll likely get something they don't already have AND you'll support a great museum.
Unabridged Toddler was gifted the bath toys and they're just uh-dorable. As devoted Pigeon fans, this bumper sticker brings me non-stop joy. (The museum has a dedicated Mo Willems section that includes gorgeous, playful fabric inspired by his books. It makes me wish I could sew!)
Friend of [Your Town's] Library: Donation!
Libraries save lives. In addition to free access to media, most libraries also provide enormously important services in our communities. This year, our family realized we need to start demonstrating our appreciation for our libraries, and we're making a donation to the Friends of our local library branch. Almost all libraries have 'em. Donate in a beloved reader's name! (Lucky enough to have access to books and media without needing to use your library regularly? Make a gift anyway!)
And finally, I recommend most of the books I've read this year. I'll make my top ten list later in December, but there have been so many knockout reads this year, it's going to be a challenge -- and I'm not sure I could pick out one or two for this post. But if you are looking for recs, start there (or feel free to ask me as I looooove pairing people to books!).
What are some of your highly recommended bookish purchases for this year?
