Books We’d Gift People for the Holidays (11/20/25)

If you’re starting to hunt for the perfect gifts to get your loved ones this holiday season, we’ve got a few recommendations that we can’t wait to share!

AMANDA’S PICK: THE IN DEATH COOKBOOK: TO-DIE-FOR RECIPES FROM THE WORLD OF J. D. ROBB BY THERESA CARLE-SANDERS 

Holiday time means delicious food time, so what better gift for the bookish person in your life than a cookbook full of amazing recipes inspired by one of their favorite literary worlds?!  Discover seventy-four to-die-for recipes and story excerpts that connect the recipes to the novels that inspired them. From AutoChef favorites to Summerset’s mouthwatering desserts, readers will find delicious, easy-to-prepare selections ranging from breakfast entrées to sides, main courses, and everything in between, with contributions from the whole In Death cast of characters.

EMILY’S PICK: YOU BETTER WATCH OUT BY JAMES S. MURRAY and DARREN WEARMOUTH

If you have a thriller reader in your life, YOU BETTER WATCH OUT is the perfect holiday gift that will leave any recipient shocked. The book begins two days before Christmas, when Jessica Kane wakes up with a giant gash in her head and blood streaming down her face. The last memory she has is getting hit in the head while she was out for a run. When she comes to, she realizes that she is stranded in a deserted, fenced-in town with five other strangers, none of whom know how they got there. Jessica is desperate to find a way out, but as the other strangers start dying one-by-one, she better watch out because she could be next. This suspenseful serial killer thriller is Saw with a Christmas twist, and will leave you wondering, is Christmas really the most wonderful time of the year?

MARGO’S PICK: CELEBRATE: JOYFUL BAKING ALL YEAR ROUND BY PAUL HOLLYWOOD

If there’s one thing I love, it’s The Great British Baking Show—and my family and friends are no different. Some of our favorite ways to celebrate the holiday season include hosting our own baking competitions at home, or bringing homemade snacks and treats together for potlucks. So when Paul Hollywood himself creates a cookbook jam-packed with holiday bakes, it’s guaranteed to make the perfect gift. And CELEBRATE isn’t just for Christmas cookies and Thanksgiving pies! There are plenty of recipes for birthdays, summer picnics, cocktail parties, and more. Ever thought of making mojito cupcakes for your summer pool party? Or apple doughnuts for your fall potluck? Well, now you have—and Paul will teach you how to make them so perfectly that everyone around you will ask why you haven’t applied to be on the show yourself. Every recipe is classic, fresh, fun, and festive, perfect for the aspiring baker in your life, or a Bake-Off superfan.

HALLIE’S PICK: LOVE BY THE BOOK BY JESSICA GEORGE

If you’ve been looking for the perfect gift for your bestie, you’ve found it: LOVE BY THE BOOK! Jessica George’s new novel is sophisticated, joyful, and asks the question: What if we treated female friendship like a classic romantic comedy? 

Remy, a celebrated first-time author is struggling to write her second book as her creative spark fades and her friendships drift. Meanwhile, Simone, a kindergarten teacher with a lucrative but controversial side hustle, finds herself isolated after her family discovers the truth about her work. When the two women literally bump into each other at a bookstore, an unexpected connection begins to form. As their guarded exteriors slowly give way, they just might become exactly what the other needs. George beautifully explores the restorative power of platonic love and female connection in this heartfelt follow-up to MAAME.