The Lighter Side of Life: Gift Guide No. 2

If there’s one question our booksellers were asked more than any other this year, it was, “What do you recommend that won’t bring me down?” We hear you, readers. We’ve all had a tough couple of years, and sometimes a fun, escapist read is just what you need. We’ve compiled a list of the books that have brought us joy and laughs this year for all your gift-giving needs. Maybe a colorful cookbook would do the trick! A humorous hardcover? A book about books is never a blunder. Treat your loved ones (and yourself!) with these lighthearted picks.

FICTIONRecommended by Erin Anxious People: A Novel

By Fredrik Backman

The paperback edition of Backman’s latest is the perfect gift for someone craving a break from too many bleak reads. When a robber bursts in on an apartment open house and takes a group of strangers hostage, everyone learns that first appearances can be deceiving. No one is entirely who they appear to be, and all of them—bank robber included—crave rescue. This novel is surprising, and surprisingly delightful.

Recommended by RJ One Last Stop

By Casey McQuiston

Do you know someone who loved Red, White, and Royal Blue? Statistically, you probably do. Buy this for them next!

Recommended by Chelsea Malibu Rising: A Novel

By Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising is an engrossing read about siblings, their bond and shared trauma, and the desire to escape it all. Reid masterfully alternates between previous decades and one day in 1983, and her attentiveness to detail and character instantly transports readers.

Recommended by Hannah The Love Hypothesis

By Ali Hazelwood

If you read one rom-com this year, make it this one – it’s an absolutely delightful read! Hazelwood charms with achingly relatable characters, hilarious fake-dating, and two rockstar main characters. It has just the right amount of heart, villain-comeuppance, and witty one liners to make this a perfect binge-worthy romance!

Recommended by Chelsea The Windsor Knot: A Novel (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates #1)

By SJ Bennett

This is the delightful first volume of a new series detailing how Queen Elizabeth II discreetly solves crimes while carrying out her duties as a reigning monarch. If you love royalty and Murder, She Wrote, don’t miss this! Jane Copland’s audio narration makes this a great listen to distract from the everyday.

Recommended by RJ A Spindle Splintered (Fractured Fables)

By Alix E. Harrow

This insightful take on the Sleeping Beauty story packs a lot of character, humor, action, commentary, and multiversal shenanigans into a slim novella package. This is absolutely essential reading for anyone who loves fairytale retellings.

Recommended by Sissy The Postscript Murders

By Elly Griffiths

I love thrillers about books, and in the darkest days of 2020 I needed a few laughs alongside my murder. I had missed DS Harbinder Kaur and was so excited to see her in another novel. Fans of Anthony Horowitz will love this.

Recommended by RJ Act Your Age, Eve Brown: A Novel (The Brown Sisters #3)

By Talia Hibbert

It’s hard to list all the things that make this book funny, warm, and meaningful. It’s an opposites-attract romance about people who aren’t as opposite as they think, and it’s an absolute joy from cover to cover.

NONFICTIONRecommended by Ann Little Pieces of Hope: Happy-Making Things in a Difficult World

By Todd Doughty, Josie Portillo (Illustrator)

This book of lists lit up all the pleasure centers in my brain. Again and again it reminded me of the beauty and wonder of the world. Pick it up, flip to any page, read. You will be filled with joy.

Recommended by Ann The Book of Delights: Essays

By Ross Gay

Where have I been? This little book that considers the small delights in any given day has been out two years. I read a little bit every night before falling asleep. Sweet dreams.

Recommended by Lindsay Flower Color Theory

By Taylor Putnam, Michael Putnam

Look, it’s a beautiful book of beautifully arranged flowers. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t benefit from a beautiful book of beautifully arranged flowers right now.

Recommended by Rae Ann Reading Is Magic: A Book Log for Families

By Emma Straub

This reading guide is both a book journal and a recommended reading list. Perfect for a family activity! With book recs from indie booksellers all over the US (including me!).

Recommended by Chelsea Bibliophile: Diverse Spines

By Jamise Harper, Jane Mount

The authors state in the foreword that their goal is for readers to find 10 new authors to read; I found so many more. Perfect for readers on your gift list who have already read the big titles of the year.

Recommended by Lindsay David Hockney: The Arrival of Spring in Normandy

By David Hockney, Edith Devaney

I’ve always loved David Hockney’s art, so I was delighted when this charming book of his work during the pandemic came out! In addition to all Hockney’s beautiful drawings of trees, flowers, and French vistas, there are also bonus pictures of Hockney and his cute dog. And you know we love an artist with a cute dog.

Recommended by Andy Planet Golf USA: The Definitive Reference to Great Golf Courses in America, Revised Edition

By Darius Oliver, Ben Crenshaw, Bill Coore

Beautiful coffee table book featuring the greatest courses in America.

Recommended by Elyse Baking with Dorie: Sweet, Salty & Simple

By Dorie Greenspan, Mark Weinberg

A perfect gift! Dorie’s recipes are so accessible. She makes us all look like experienced bakers. Plus, the book is just flat-out gorgeous!!

Recommended by Sissy Books Promiscuously Read: Reading as a Way of Life

By Heather Cass White

I do not write. I just read. I often forget that not every person is a reading-obsessed nerd. This book put into words what I’ve never been able to: Reading takes a mind to another place in both literal and figurative ways. I particularly loved the quotes from my favorite authors about how reading transformed their worlds.

Recommended by Patsy Let’s Eat Italy!: Everything You Want to Know About Your Favorite Cuisine

By François-Régis Gaudry

This encyclopedic tome is perfect for italophiles, cooks, and travelers alike. It’s richly illustrated with magnificent drawings à la Cooks Illustrated as well as photos documenting step-by-step instructions of complicated dishes that will make even a beginning cook’s food taste professional. Packed with food history and maps of regional ingredients from artichokes to zuppa (soups) this book is pure delight!

Recommended by Sydney Cooking at Home: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Recipes (And Love My Microwave): A Cookbook

By David Chang, Priya Krishna

Shopping for your culinarily-challenged loved one? This cookbook is ideal in that it focuses less on perfecting recipes, and more on teaching the actual principles of cooking in a comprehensible, digestible (pun-intended) manner.

Recommended by Sissy Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village

By Maureen Johnson, Jay Cooper

Just hilarious. Anyone who loved Edward Gorey and reads tons of thrillers would love to get this as a holiday gift.