2019 Holiday Gift Guide

Based on popular demand (relative to this blog, lol) we've moved this list up to November to accommodate early shoppers. We love making this list to help people shop for people who are notoriously hard to shop for, the teachers and mother-in-laws, and new boyfriends that you're not sure if you're supposed to get a gift for or not. We really don't think there are any better gifts than books. There's some really fun stuff on the list this year, and a few we're both hoping may be wrapped under the tree for ourselves.

Meghan and I both love JSF's writing and we were both excited to see new work from him just in time to add to our Christmas lists. Foer is one of the most talented nonfiction writers because he's so objective in his pursuit of the truth. Years ago, one read of Eating Animals unfortunately forced me to give up meat forever. In Foer's newest book he's discussing the human aspect of climate change, and how our actions got us here and can help us get out of it, specifically related to food. I try not to be a preachy vegetarian but animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of global warming, and I'm interested to read as Foer states the facts in his objective style. Foer also has a philosophy background which adds a really nice angle to his nonfiction writing.

I think this would make a great gift for anyone in your life who is interested in climate change, agriculture, diet, etc. It's something I would get for my parents (if nonfiction was their thing), who express mild interest in my vegetarianism but still don't really care about it. It's also something I might try on audiobook for my husband who is again, interested but not totally convinced I'm not insane. Foer is a great gender-neutral author and really approachable for all types of readers.

I've actually already treated myself to this book! With the recent release of IT Chapter 2, and the "coming soon" Dr Sleep, Stephen King is everywhere. I've always been weirdly defensive of Stephen King and love an opportunity to argue with my boyfriend about him (as Ben loves to point out, I've actually never read any King and he's read Pet Sematary). But I've always had a great deal of respect for King because of his ability to turn out multiple books a year and to keep people picking them up instead of turning on their televisions.

I've only ever heard great things about his memoir On Writing, with actors like Zoe Kazan and Patton Oswalt citing it as a great resource for anyone getting into writing. King's memoir isn't just a "how to," apparently is also covers his addictions over the years - something I am ALWAYS interested in reading about. So get this book for the Stephen King lover you know or for literally anyone who enjoys reading and writing!

Everyone loved Big Little Lies and I'm confident you knew at least one person who wanted to read the book before watching the show but then time snuck up on them... The Husband's Secret is Moriarty's second novel set to be adapted into a television series, and has Blake Lively attached as the star. Gifting this to your mom, sister, friend for Christmas this year will ensure a long runway of reading time before the show comes out in 2020. I need to read it before the show comes out myself! It's meant to be the same chick-lit-mystery style as Big Little Lies, a genre all women love.

Normally I would try to keep this repeat offender off another one of my lists, but since the movie JUST came out this book will be a cheap purchase. I've already seen it all over Indigo with a $20 sticker on it. As you all well know, this is one of my favourite fiction books ever. But I implore anyone who went and saw the dumpster fire that is this movie to read the book. It is so so so much better. The size alone will make it look like there's more under the tree than there actually is lol.

Autobiographies are such a great gift and I will 100% be buying this for my dad for Christmas because he loves Elton John and he loves autobiographies. Until now there's only been biographies of Elton John, which neither my dad nor myself like as much. In my opinion, it's so much better to hear the person's life story in their own words.

This would make a great gift, especially if you know someone who really enjoyed Rocketman, the Elton John musical biopic that came out this year. If Elton John isn't whoever you're shopping for's thing, but you're after an autobiography, Demi Moore also released a memoir called Inside Out which could be a great alternative. It's supposedly full of juicy, controversial Hollywood gossip.

Every decent person I know loves basketball. Whether you are old and remember watching Michael Jordan, or young like me and worship Lebron, this biography will interest you. Roland Lazenby covers Jordan's life in great detail .. I was shocked to start the book off with a description of Jordan's great-great grandfather in North Carolina in the 1890s. But how can you not be interested in whatever had a hand in creating the most competitive athlete on earth? Get someone this book for Christmas ASAP so they are as well prepared as me for the 10-part ESPN docuseries on MJ coming this January!

I haven't read this yet but I've seen this book a number of times on social media being praised by people who's opinions I respect and I added it to my own wish list. It's a domestic thriller from a new Swedish author and I just know it's going to be one of those books you read in like, one sitting.

I don't read a lot of thrillers but I always love them when I do. If you have someone to shop for who likes mystery-page-turners this could be a great book to wrap up for them. It's newer so chances are they haven't read it yet, and it has turn-me-into-a-movie written all over it.

Chuck Klosterman is the easiest gift you'll ever buy the male in your life. I've been a big fan of his for years now, but I think he still appeals mostly to young men. His newest book is a collection of short stories and all of them are weird. The stories cover situations like a puma in an airplane bathroom and a serial killer whose weapon of choice is a sick cat. I've never been a huge fan of short stories (as mentioned in my review) but I do think they can make good Christmas gifts for people who aren't massive readers. Lots of people like books short and sweet, and this one is certainly that.

I had to include this on this list because it's the easiest gift imaginable. Jillian Harris and her cousin Tori Wesszer are Canadian treasures, and every female and her dog would love this. You may know Harris from her time on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. Now she runs a successful lifestyle blog and is the star of Love It or List It Vancouver. Her recent cookbook is filled with family recipes, with a focus on plant-based and home-cooked eating. I really just can't imagine a woman you could get this for that wouldn't love it. Even someone who doesn't cook would appreciate it as countertop or coffee table decor.