Books simultaneously make for the best and worst gifts to give to dedicated bookworms. They are the best because every bookworm enjoys a new addition to their TBR. And they are also the worst because you never truly know what kind of books they actually enjoy. Especially when you look at their shelves and realise they have everything from P.G. Wodehouse to Arundhati Roy!
So, in this article, we’re not just suggesting books, we’re categorising them according to taste! Here are some recommendations for the best books to gift a male friendand more.
Sprawling Literary Fiction for the Drama Lovers
Life can be stranger than fiction. And those who enjoy the sprawling tales that connect timelines and people will love these recommendations.
For a rich, sweeping story that spans cultures, continents, and centuries, entwined by rivers, we suggest There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. For something achingly beautiful but wrought with tension, there’s Hot Water by Bhavika Govil. Another sprawling tale with a touch of history, gift your friend Half a Life by V.S. Naipaul. Lastly, if you know your friend will love a little Victorian twist, gift them Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook.
Non-Fiction Selections for the Knowledge Seekers
What can be the best book to gift a female friendwho’s a bank of interesting information? You give them more books on topics they will enjoy.
If she likes reading about the human mind, then Psychology of Secrets by Andrew Gold makes a great gift. If the history of medicine intrigues her, gift her The Apothecary’s Wife by Karen Bloom Gevirtz. If the natural world attracts her attention, Lost Wonders by Tom Lathan makes an excellent birthday present.
Fantasy Epics for the Whimsy at Heart
Some people might have a 9-to-5 but dream of slaying dragons and frolicking with elves. If a certain white-haired wizard showed up on their doorstep, you know they would go with him!
So, when buying the best book to gift on a birthday for the lovers of whimsy, consider a Peter Pan retelling–The End of the Story by Melissa de la Cruz. Or add some dark twists with Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake. Or swerve into the magical realism lane and gift them The Cat Who Saved the Books by Sosuke Natsukawa.
Love Stories for the Romantics
Happily ever afters, crackling chemistry, playful banter, and more sway hearts everywhere. That’s why, for those who enjoy how two characters fall in love with each other, romance novels are the best books to gift for book lovers.
In the category of queer romance, there’s The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn. For romance with a touch of intrigue, we suggest The Cook of Castamar by Fernando J. Munez. And if you want a book to keep them cosy on a rainy day, gift them Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll.
Murder Mysteries for the Armchair Detectives
If you check your friend’s streaming service account and find out they have only added murder mystery shows to their list, you already know what they want. If they’re listening to crime podcasts instead of the latest songs while getting ready, it’s easy to find them the right gift.
For all the friends who love some armchair detective work, there’s no dearth of good crime novels. But if their shelves are already full of Agatha Christie novels and Sherlock Holmes volumes, don’t worry! Right now, we highly suggest Scene of Crime by Jill McGown, which is set inside a drama theatre (talk about dramatic). The other book we can’t stop suggesting is Ghost Music by Graham Masterton, which is delightfully packed with suspense.
If Gifting Still Feels Confusing…
Sometimes, it’s difficult to gift books to the bibliophiles. Even if you know them well, their tastes are so eclectic that buying a book for them becomes an Olympic sport. So, to play it safe, nothing works better than the compilation of short stories.
It can be fictional or non-fictional. It can be ghost stories or romance. Whatever it is, these compilations are short and sweet, so they can abandon and pick up anytime they want. So, something like Evergreen Classic Short Stories is the perfect gift. This compilation brings together some of the most beloved and popular authors, such as Rudyard Kipling, James Joyce, and Guy de Maupassant, among others.
Also, To buy books online in India, don’t forget to check out websites like Oxford Bookstore.
With this guide, we’re sure you will find the best book to gift your friends that they will definitely enjoy!
