I received a copy of some of these books free of charge, however, as always opinions are 100% my own. This post may also contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission, more information in my disclosure policy.
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Gifts for Book Lovers
The holiday season is the perfect time to show people how much you care for them. For some, the best way to do that is by gifting them a book. Book lovers cherish books like no other and they can’t even anticipate what kind of book their Christmas, birthday or other present would be because it could be anything from a children’s storybook to something more literary.
Books are one of the best gifts anyone could receive because they make any occasion special. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first date or your ten-year anniversary, everyone will love getting a good read as a present. Read on for our list of the top 10 books for any reader in your life!
What are the best holiday gifts for book lovers?
With the holiday season quickly approaching, it’s important to think about what to get for your friends and family who are book lovers. Here are a few holiday gift ideas ranging from inexpensive stocking stuffers to expensive presents for those hard-to-shop-for family members.
Jump Dare to Do What Scares You in Business and Life
In Jump, Kim shares her powerful personal story about hitting rock bottom and summoning the courage required to take a life-changing leap into the unknown. Broke, bankrupt, and afraid of change, she trusted her instincts, closed her eyes, and “jumped”. Kim’s self-belief, know-how, and ultimate triumph is an inspiration. Jump shows you how to overcome fear of the unknown and manifest success. **I can’t wait to get further into the book, I’ve been procrastinating some pretty major changes and am hoping this book helps me JUMP into them!
Whether you’re jumping from a place of greatness or uncertainty, the expert guidance in this book will:?
- Encourage readers to get out of their comfort zones, overcome self-doubt, and take proactive steps to change their life.
- Empower entrepreneurs with invaluable insights and business tools necessary to move beyond fear, rejection, and failure.
- Teach individuals looking for a career change how to make a calculated risk that can pay off, and do it with confidence.
Based on Kim’s twenty years of personal experiences alongside thousands of entrepreneurs, business professionals, and investors she’s worked with, Jump arms readers with the knowledge, tools, and mindset necessary to reach unmatched levels of success.
Luna Finds Love Everywhere
Celebrate the joy of learning to love yourself with Luna and friends!
What if Little Bear and Curious George had a daughter? This is the story of her extraordinary day. Meet Luna, a little girl who loves playing outside, helping her family, and learning new things. As Luna goes through her regular daily routine, she realizes how much love there is to appreciate around her and within herself too. She learns kindness and realizes that love can be found in all sorts of places like in the people close to you!
With simple prompts and activities scattered throughout the story, children will be able to explore the principles of self-love into their own lives. Kids will have a blast reading about Luna’s adventure, and come away with loving themselves more and more each day!
Pick up your copy of Luna Finds Love Everywhere today!
Buckley the Highland Cow and Ralphy the Goat
Whether you’re young or old, tall or small, a cow or a human, this children’s story is about the power of being yourself and being true to what matters most. This is a story of resilience, diverse friendships, and loving who you are.
There’s only one thing to do when you feel out of place: make some new friends. With his signature charm and wit, Buckley takes readers on a delightfully illustrated journey of the trials and tribulations of finding friends, and shows that with patience and kindness, we can all be just a little more successful in life.
Buckley the Highland Cow is about unlikely friends who share a special bond. This children’s book introduces themes like acceptance, friendship, and diversity to kids aged 3-8. It is full of cute illustrations and teaches children about love and respect for all living beings.
How to Stitch The American Dream
If it is one thing I’ve learned over my lifetime it’s that nothing hardly ever works out exactly as planned. However, living in a small town in Missouri I’ve seen a lot, done a lot and I’ve met a lot of famous people. But way back in 2008 our daughter Liz was in middle school and had a friend named Annie. Her mom worked with her grandma at their family owned business. I had given Annie a ride and her mom wanted to “meet” the mom that gave her daughter a ride. (Smart MOM!) So after school the girls loaded up in the car and we drove up town so the “moms” could meet. They had just “grown” from a small building and started another shop which would be more retail oriented.
I wasn’t expecting who was there at all and being “local” I should have known, but again raising a daughter, teaching, and living life we were all busy. I walked in and Annie says, “Heidi, this is my Mom Sarah and this is my Grandma Jenny.” Now this was “pre” famous times but still we all were shocked it was the other person standing there in front of us. So it could be said, I “knew” Mrs. Jenny before Jenny was Mrs. Jenny. But the girls went on to be friends and spent lots of time at each other’s home.
They were good people, we are good people, and the girls were friends. Years later, in 2021 to be exact I had the opportunity to get a “advance reading copy” of How to Stitch an American Dream. Wait for it, yes, Jenny Doan is Mrs. Jenny whom I met way back when Missouri Star Quilt Company was just getting started.
I’ve had the book in my hands far longer than I would like to admit, but sometimes life doesn’t go as planned. I had finally had the chance to sit down and read it and my only wish was that I had had the time to read it sooner. Some parts made me laugh, some made me cry, and other times I related to the “famous” author more than I ever thought possible. It shows with a positive attitude anything is possible and the power of giving is out of this world. I read Jenny’s book in a day and it was wonderful! I will admit other things were pushed out of the way because it was simply that great!
If you aren’t “local” you need to make a trip to The Disneyland for Quilters, I dabble in sewing, but have a mad appreciation for quilters. Some might even say our own family has a history of quilting, even my brother has made a few. While mine are far from “perfect”, the story is still the same: quilts are to be loved and used, not just for decoration. There isn’t anything better than snuggling down under a handmade quilt. And if Mrs. Jenny is your teacher. I promise you will succeed.
Jenny Doan has transformed the way people view quilting and opened up her own unique world of quilting right in our very own Hamilton, Missouri. And she is absolutely correct, everyone should watch the parade put on when the kids “Drive Their Tractors to School Day.” It is one of the crowning jewels of the year and the students enjoy it just as much as the members of the community.
For more than a decade, the Doan family business of the Missouri Star Quilt Company has grown from Jenny’s one quilting machine with few clients and amateur tutorials to becoming the largest supplier of pre-cut quilting fabric with millions of loyal fans and customers who all have one thing in common – their love for Jenny, the mother of 7 (and grandmother of 24). **Annie is one lucky young lady, whom now works at the company all these years later.
In How to Stitch an American Dream, Jenny shares her full journey, from overwhelming challenges to founding her now-successful business in her fifties, emphasizing her trust in family, faith, and the power of giving as the pillars that have guided her throughout her life.
Dogtography
If you have followed me for anytime at all you know I dabble in photography. While no Rembrandt I do get some crazy great shots most of the time by accident. Molly was an amazing dog and sat well for pictures at a young age. This unfortunately is one of the only pictures I have of her, as she died shortly after this picture was taken. While it’s not perfect, I was so very happy with this shot and still love it today! But that’s a story for another day, today we are talking about Dogtography!
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If you want to learn to create out-of-this-world photos that capture the heart and soul of a dog, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a professional looking to up your dog photography game, or an amateur striving to take better pictures of your four-legged best friend, Dogtography is your guide to crafting jaw-dropping photographs that are exploding with personality. And there is no better teacher than Kaylee Greer, one of the world’s most in-demand dog photographers. Kaylee travels the globe photographing dogs for some of the biggest pet brands on Earth, teaches industry-renowned workshops, and stars in Nat Geo Wild’s original television mini-series Pupparazzi, chronicling her colorful adventures photographing dogs across America.
National Geographic star and award-winning Kaylee Greer shows you how to create out-of-this-world photos that capture the heart and soul of a dog in her vibrant book Dogtography. From the Rocky Nook, a leading publisher specializing in finely crafted books for all areas of arts, crafts, and hobbies, including photography, drawing, painting, graphic design, and much more!
Roar into the second half of your life (Before It’s Too Late)
I might have a slight addiction to books, and one thing is for sure, I won’t run out of things to read anytime soon. Roar into the second half of your life (Before It’s Too Late) by Michael Clinton is now on my to read list. Midlife is a tricky time in our lives and getting even a little direction is wonderful. Michael Clinton is a Longtime media executive who wrote this book as an uplifting guide for mature readers on how to refire and rewire midlife.
ROAR explores the stories from people who transformed their lives and careers to follow their passions, prioritize meaningful relationships, and make the most of their 40s, 50s and beyond. ROAR inspires anyone seeking profound changes for 2022, and a richly layered life in the spirit of a “New Year/New You”.
Peak Mind
PEAK MIND from HarperOne is written for achievers looking to improve their focus and my favorite part is that it just takes 12 minutes a day. In her groundbreaking book PEAK MIND, neuroscientist Amishi Jha, Ph.D., teaches you how to train your brain to pay attention differently. Dr. Jha spent the last twenty-five years researching the science of attention through intensive work with the US Military, first responders, medical professionals, business leaders, elite sports teams, and more to answer this question.
Actionable steps like completing daily focusing practices, learning to become aware of where your focus is, and exercising emotion regulation pulled from Dr. Jha’s extensive scientific studies will empower you.
About Dr. Amishi Jha
Dr. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She serves as the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she co-founded in 2010. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California–Davis and postdoctoral training at the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center at Duke University. Dr. Jha’s work has been featured at NATO, the World Economic Forum, and The Pentagon. She has received coverage in the The New York Times, NPR, TIME, Forbes and more.
Made from Scratch
We LOVE Texas Roadhouse and are there at least once a month and that is saying something, because we don’t eat out that often. But when we do we enjoy a great meal in a family friendly atmosphere and let’s not forget those rolls! Our grandson might even be addicted to the butter, but it’s a great habit to have in moderation.
MADE FROM SCRATCH from Simon & Schuster is the perfect book for fathers or anyone looking for inspiration. This book will teach you everything you need to know about leadership (YES, Please!). The author and founder of Texas Roadhouse restaurants, Kent Taylor, was determined to build his company on his own terms, putting people first and I believe they have succeeded at that!!
MADE FROM SCRATCH gives readers confidence that embracing nonconformity can transform their dreams into their reality. Pick up your copy today!
About Kent Taylor
Kent Taylor (1955–2021) was the founder, CEO, and chairman of the board of Texas Roadhouse restaurants. Taylor opened the first Texas Roadhouse in Clarksville, Indiana, in 1993. The Louisville-based company has grown to more than six hundred locations in forty-nine states with revenues of $2.8 billion. The company currently operates in ten foreign countries. A Louisville native, Taylor attended the University of North Carolina on a track scholarship where he earned a bachelor of science degree. Taylor was an active supporter of a number of organizations, including Homes for Our Troops, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics Kentucky, and the Kentucky Nature Conservancy. One hundred percent of the profits from this book will be donated to the Texas Roadhouse employee assistance fund, called Andy’s Outreach.
Choose Possibility
Choose Possibility from Mariner Books is the perfect gift for those hoping to revolutionize their career.
This book is packed with strategies and a roadmap to making savvy choices at work that will have you moving toward your dreams. Sukhinder Singh Cassidy is “one of Google and Silicon Valley’s most successful and well-respected leaders” (Eric Schmidt, Former Chairman & CEO, Google). She was formerly the president of StubHub (which sold in 2020 for $4+ billion right before the pandemic and thrived under her leadership).
Sukhinder is also the founder of theBoardlist, which connects exceptional diverse candidates with global board opportunities.
Life is made up of a series of choices. So, what do you do if one of those choices turns out poorly, especially if it was carefully considered? How do you trust your own instinctive decision-making and make the next right
choice? How do you continue to take risks when, suddenly, your risks are not working out?
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