The ultimate holiday gift guide for the bookworms you know.

For The General Fiction Readers

Bunny

By Mona Awad

Samantha Heather Mackie is attending a creative writing MFA program at a prestigious New England University. Samantha is your quintessential “I’m not like other girls” type who always feels left out by her other female cohorts who always refer to themselves as Bunny. “Oh, Bunny, you’re so pretty!”  “No, Bunny, you’re prettier!” You know the type. Eventually, Samantha gets sucked into the Bunny life and things start to change drastically for her. Many readers have referred to this book as a mix of Heathers and Alice in Wonderland. It’s funny, dark, and surreal– reading it feels like going down a fun yet intense rabbit hole. 

Before The Coffee Gets Cold

By Toshikazu Kawaguchi  

If dark psychological books are too heavy for your gift recipient, this book is light and cozy that will warm anyone’s heart. Before The Coffee Gets Cold is a fantasy fiction that dabbles in time travelling. This book follows a small cafe in Tokyo that has been serving brewed coffee for more than one hundred years except that coffee is not the only thing they serve. Rumour has it that this cafe could also give you a chance to travel back in time. This 2015 novel explores the age-old question: what would you change if you could travel back in time?

For The Non-Fiction Readers

Crying in H Mart

By Michelle Zauner

Crying in H Mart is a powerful memoir about Zauner’s experience growing up as Korean American in Oregon. It’s about how one can feel distant with their roots and only have it back at life’s most tender moments. It revolves around her family, grief, and of course, food. It’s bittersweet, funny and tender. You may as well add a box of tissues to your gift bag. 

Braiding Sweetgrass 

By Robin Wall Kimmerer

Written by an Indigenous botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass embraces the understanding that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. As a scientist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Kimmerer teaches the readers about being grateful to nature through the use of scientific and cultural lenses. Anyone interested in learning natural history, ecological awareness and Indigenous American culture will appreciate this book.

For The Ones Who Like To Support Local

Fight Night 

By Miriam Toews

Miriam Toews’ Fight Night is told from the perspective of a nine-year-old girl named Swiv. Swiv is living in Toronto with her pregnant mom and her frail yet extraordinary grandmother. A poignant story about three generations of women who are learning to love and fight. 

Happy Hour 

By Marlowe Granados

Happy Hour is a witty coming-of-age story about party girls who are navigating the city of New York with just a small amount of money. This is a must-read for anyone in their 20s. You would either relate to the Isa and Gala or you would want to live vicariously through them. Pretty girls are not just pretty and this book will prove that.

Published by HOLR Magazine.