Books as Gifts

Books are compact and can be suitable as a gift on any occasion. There are books to inspire and inform and books to provide entertainment. You can give rare, antique books, handmade books, books for the coffee table, or a boxed set of books for a child.

Some bookstores specialize in specific types of books or genres. You need to know the specific interest of your recipient. You do not want to give a mystery to a reader of historical romances or an art book to someone who only reads nonfiction.

But you can find a book on any subject from design, stamp collecting, travel, horticulture, anthropology, cooking, aviation, business, science fiction, the occult, sports, real estate, health...the list is endless.

Books are becoming more expensive but you get value for the money you spend. You can put together a set of paperbacks by the same author or two or three books on the same subject by a different author. Paperbacks also come in boxed sets with attractive slip covers and these make a great gift.

The Amazon Kindle is another way to read books. The portable reading device weighs 10.3 ounces and there are over 100,000 titles to choose from. The wireless connection is free.

Buying books is a pleasant shopping experience. Not only are you looking for a special book for your recipient but you can always find something for yourself. I have never been in a bookstore that I did not like. And I usually end up purchasing at least one book for myself...maybe two or three. Another positive for bookstore shopping is that the personnel are usually very friendly and helpful. You can tell them about the recipient and they will give you suggestions for books. If you do not find exactly what you want or what you feel will be that Wow book, you can give the recipient a gift certificate. If the recipient is a consummate reader, as I am, browsing through the bookstore and being able to purchase that special book will be memorable. The book will always remind the recipient of you and your gift.

There are books that are produced for special occasions. James Michener's Texas is a two-volume illustrated edition that was produced for the Texas sesquicentennial. There are religious books for special times of the year. There are books for regional foods, for pets, and for students.

Coffee table books are illustrated art books on a wide variety of subjects such as architecture, food, travel, interior decorating, and the fine arts.

Books can also be given as family gifts such as encyclopedias, or books on home repair or gardening. Travelers enjoy books such as an atlas with detailed illustrations of various countries and places. Travel books with lots of pictures and itineraries are popular.

You can also combine books with other gifts. If your recipient likes to cook, you can give them the latest cookbook by their favorite chef along with a special apron or cap or utensils. If your recipient is a sports enthusiasts such as a tennis player, you can give them a can of tennis balls with a book about tennis or a famous tennis player.

For the collector, there are handmade books, books with unique bindings, and first or rare editions of a book. You can also create a special book for recipients. There are printers who will run small quantities of books. You can write about a special event or your family history and the printer will bind them for you.

Gifts for children can also include books. Reading to your child should start when they are babies. There are books suitable for all ages and all reading levels. Books along with other gifts for teenagers and young adults may keep them interested in reading as a life-long pursuit as they get older.

Special types of books are available. You can purchase audio books that the recipient can listen to while walking, jogging, or driving to and from work. Large print books for the visually impaired are available in most genres and bookstores. You can also purchase books in Braille for the blind. The new book is the digital book. You can download books to your computer or you can purchase eBook readers such as Kindle from amazon.com.

For the person who reads, a book is always a perfect gift.