The Best Books to Give This Christmas

Gift Ideas for Every Reader

We all know that books are the gifts that keep on giving, how you can open them for the rest of your life, and how the recipient will think kindly of you into eternity. What’s harder to know is what book to get for the video-gaming nephew, the exuberant aunt, or the football-laden father. Here’s my attempt at a gift-giving guide with the potential to most likely awaken or re-awaken a love of reading.

These are the books I’ve seen give a spark to myself and others and I present them in no particular order. I’m including a link to purchase each book from Landmark Booksellers, where I handle the business side of the book business. Each link is to the exact version of the book that I recommend. Please note that each of these books would be enjoyable for all ages, but I’m highlighting one particular set of people for your gift-giving pleasure:

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I. The Count of Monte Cristo

For: High Schoolers

Adventure, betrayal, sword fights, and treasure, once started, this book will be hard to put down.

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II. Theo of Golden

For: Aunts

This was easily our best-selling book at Landmark Booksellers this year. It’s a novel that has exploded through word of mouth and tells how one man transforms a small town in just one year.

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III. The Epic of Gilgamesh

For: Fathers

This story is over 4,000 years old and is utterly fascinating. There’s even an epic within an epic, a flood story that pre-dates Noah’s Ark.

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IV. The Wingfeather Saga

For: 8-11 Year Olds

One of our top-selling series at Landmark. This 4-book adventure is highly creative and utterly heart-wrenching. Purchase: Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, Creaturepedia, Tales

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V. The Iliad and The Odyssey

For: College Students

A delightful tale full of twists and turns. An Odyssey film will be released during 2026, part of an ongoing trend of people getting reacquainted with these ancient tales. You may as well throw the Aeneid in there as well.

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VI. The Chronicles of Narnia

For: 6-9 Year Olds

It’s amazing how many adults I speak to who were first awakened by Lewis’ beloved stories, myself included. Just please be sure to read them in the correct order, which begins with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

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VII. Pride & Prejudice

For: Mothers

It’s very rare for it to be someone’s 250th birthday, but today is that day for Jane Austen. This has been called the perfect novel, with not a single word out of place. Purchase a rare 1839 edition, or a more common one below.

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VIII. A Christmas Carol

For: Grandparents

I just led a reading group on this Dickens’ classic last week and I was surprised at how it was the first time reading for most of the attendees. I plan to read this beloved tale yearly going forward.

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IX. Lord of the Rings

For: Young Professionals

Another series credited with awakening the love of literature for millions worldwide.

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X. Man’s Search for Meaning

For: 2026 Graduates

A most perfect consideration of what’s important before entering the next stage of life.