20 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Every Reader on Your List
Time is running out to get a holiday gift for your loved ones! But have no fear, Strand-ta Claus is here to suggest some gifts to put under (or on) the Bookmas Tree this year. Are you shopping for a picky reader? A fast reader? A non-reader? No matter who you’re shopping for, we have the perfect gift suggestions, including some signed, personalized books and Strand-exclusive merch!
Find Your Reader:
The Picky Reader
The picky reader is very specific about what they read, so why not go with the most highly anticipated book of 2018? This intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir focuses on the former First Lady’s compelling journey from Chicago to DC. Top this gift off with a Strand gift card, so this reader can choose their own bliss.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
The Fast Reader
Give the fast reader in your life a fast-paced post-apocalyptic satire, and they'll be thanking you into next year. Ling Ma’s Severance centers around Candace Chen, a millennial, first-generation American and office worker who blogs about her abandoned city and is eventually confronted by a group of survivors. Add some Strand coffee to this gift bundle, and your fast reader will be even more focused on the book in front of them.
Severance by Ling Ma
Coffee: Lost in the Stacks (Mocha Java)
The Slow Reader
Some readers like to take their sweet time with a book. With American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin, the slow reader can enjoy 70 different dazzling poems by National Book Award-winning author Terrance Hayes, and pause as many times as they want to in between. To get your slow reader in a relaxed reading mood, throw in a container of Strand’s blackberry tea.
American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin by Terrance Hayes
Tea: Enchanted Library (Blackberry)
The Fiction Lover
It can be difficult to choose just one book for the fiction lover in your life since there are so. many. to choose from! Thankfully, we narrowed it down to one astonishing collection of short stories by debut author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. Every story in this collection is a stand-out piece, from the surreal to the satire. Add a Strand Lost in the Stacks candle to remind this reader of their favorite pastime, even when they’ve put the book down.
Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Candle: Lost In The Stacks (Amber + Birch)
The Nonfiction Lover
Give the nonfiction lover in your life a glimpse into the fascinating world of social activism from one of its leading advocates: pro-choice activist and former president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Cecile Richards. Order by December 11th, and Cecile can create a custom inscription inside — exclusively available at Strand. Add our most popular tote into the mix so this reader can continue to load up on new nonfiction.
Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead by Cecile Richards
Large Tote: Well Read Woman (Black)
The Up-for-Anything Reader
If you know a reader who is up to try anything, we have just the recommendation for them. In the powerful and provocative memoir, Heavy, genre-bending essayist and novelist Kiese Laymon explores what the weight of a lifetime of secrets, lies, and deception does to a black body, a black family, and a nation teetering on the brink of moral collapse. Consider gifting the up-for-anything reader with a “Fuck Off, I’m Reading” Strand mug so they can read in peace.
Heavy by Kiese Laymon
The Collector
Pick up a first edition Beastie Boys Book for a panoramic experience that tells the story of Beastie Boys, by band members ADROCK and Mike D, with contributions from Amy Poehler, Colson Whitehead, Spike Jonze, Wes Anderson, Luc Sante, and more. The collector in your life will also appreciate a classy Strand snowglobe with a peacefully well-read King Kong perched atop an NYC skyscraper.
Beastie Boys Book by Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz
The New Book Discoverer
Plenty of folks like to be the first one to discover something new and brilliant — before anyone else does. For the new book discovering reader, we highly recommend this powerful debut novel by Wayétu Moore. A novel of exhilarating range, magical realism, and history, She Would Be King retells the story of Liberia’s formation. Let this reader discover Strand’s latest sock collection as well, so they can be one of the first rocking our new “Books Are Cool” design.
She Would Be King by Wayétu Moore
The Writer
So you know someone who wants to be a writer, eh? We all know that writing comes with a lot of stress: deadlines, comparing yourself to other writers, actually sitting down to write, peer reviews, etc. etc. Give this person the gift of not giving a fuck this holiday season. With their newfound confidence, they’ll be churning out novels in no time. Add a Strand notebook for them to jot down their most brilliant plot points in.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
The Non-Reader
As much as it hurts us to admit, some people are just not that into reading. If that’s the case, we have a wonderful cookbook full of gorgeous photos by Deb Perelman. Your non-readers will love the unfussy homestyle recipes so much, they won’t even realize they’re reading. Order by 12/12 to get a personalized signed copy! Then put a bar of Strand’s Old Book scent soap in the gift bag, and wait for this non-reader to slowly turn into a reader.
Smitten Kitchen Every Day by Deb Perelman
Soap: Old Books (Clove & Cinnamon)
Don’t forget the card + wrapping!
No gift is complete without a card! Write down your holiday greetings in a Strand-designed greeting card. In addition, for a flat fee of $6, customers
can have their gifts wrapped via our online checkout, or in store on the 2nd floor.
If you like what you read,👏 👏 👏 so other readers can enjoy it too!
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