The Best Books for the Holidays in 2019
We know that not everybody is into books [sad, we know], but if you’ve got a bookworm in your midst, then we’ve got some great reads to cozy up with this holiday season. We found some of the best books to hide under the tree for your favorite reader this year.
10. The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
The Butler family has had their share of trials—as sisters Althea, Viola, and Lillian can attest—but nothing prepared them for the literal trial that will upend their lives. Althea, the eldest sister and substitute matriarch, is a force to be reckoned with and her younger sisters have alternately appreciated and chafed at her strong will. They are as stunned as the rest of the small community when she and her husband, Proctor, are arrested, and in a heartbeat the family goes from one of the most respected in town to utter disgrace. The worst part is, not even her sisters are sure exactly what happened. As Althea awaits her fate, Lillian and Viola must come together in the house they grew up in to care for their sister’s teenage daughters. What unfolds is a stunning portrait of the heart and core of an American family in a story that is as page-turning as it is important.
9. On the Come Up
This is the highly anticipated second novel by Angie Thomas, the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning The Hate U Give. Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least win her first battle. As the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bri’s got massive shoes to fill. But it’s hard to get your come up when you’re labeled a hoodlum at school and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. So Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral…for all the wrong reasons.
8. Freshwater
Ada has always been unusual. As an infant in southern Nigeria, she is a source of deep concern to her family. Her parents successfully prayed her into existence, but something must have gone awry, as the young Ada becomes a troubled child, prone to violent fits of anger and grief. But Ada turns out to be more than just volatile. Born “with one foot on the other side,” she begins to develop separate selves. When Ada travels to America for college, a traumatic event crystallizes the selves into something more powerful. As Ada fades into the background of her own mind and these alters—now protective, now hedonistic—move into control, Ada’s life spirals in a dangerous direction. Narrated from the perspectives of the various selves within Ada, and based in the author's realities, Freshwater explores the metaphysics of identity and being. Feeling explodes through the language of this scalding novel, heralding the arrival of a fierce new literary voice.
7. Black: A Love Story
A thrilling and inspiring book not solely focused on one gender, “Black: A Love Story” is a book for the woman, it's a book for the man, it's a book for the entire family. This Bestselling novel will make you laugh, cry, and inspire you with it's amazingly relatable poems and stories.
6. Detoxelicious
Balancing our lives can be challenging. We want more energy, but we are tired of all the latest trendy and fad diets. Detoxification means ensuring your entire body is functioning at an optimal, balanced level. When our bodies are in balance, we feel energized and refreshed. With the aim to make every reader healthy inside and out, DETOXELICIOUS offers plant-based recipes intended to give the kidney and liver a 10-day break from complex proteins and processed sugary foods. Supplements supported by healthcare professionals are also added in order to reach desired health goals effectively with renewed energy levels. Moreover, the book highlights the importance of yoga fitness (to aid the body’s natural detoxification) and mindfulness (to remain mentally inspired throughout the detox journey). For every copy of DETOXELICIOUS sold, proceeds will go to local children’s charities. If you’re looking for a sample of the goodness in this book, check out this delicious recipe featured in our food section
5. Mario and The Aliens
Written for kids aged 5-7, Mario and the Aliens tells the sweet story of a little boy who makes friends with space visitors. Little Mario is a computer geek who is on the computer day and night. He will not leave his computer. Suddenly he hears a commotion in the backyard—the aliens have landed! These creatures have heard about all the cool things that earth kids do to play, and they want to have fun too. Since the aliens are tired of computers and electronic stuff, Mario must show them how to play with traditional toys. Even though Mario doesn't usually ride his bike or play ball, he soon learns how much fun it is, along with his alien friends. Satisfied at having discovered the secrets of earth children, the aliens return to their planet, while Mario learns the joys of playing outside.
4. Bigfoot Activity Book
Discover an amazing array of entertaining activities, from whimsical mazes and riddles to search-and-find puzzles, word games, coloring pages, and more. Fun facts help young readers learn more about the interesting world we live in. There’s even a bonus 8-page section packed with more than 100 free stickers! Over 120 pages are packed with a host of exciting activities that will keep children 5 to 12 engaged for hours! This big activity book is perfect for road trips, rainy days, family vacations, and birthday parties. But more than simply games, BigFoot Activity Book engages young readers, teaching about real places, people, and events in the present and past.
3. The Wall: A Timeless Tale
In this poignant and timely story, a king banishes anyone that’s different from him and has a wall built to keep them out of his kingdom. Soon, he sees that without people with various types of talents and expertise, his realm can no longer flourish! Realizing his mistake, he orders the wall to be knocked down so he can meet and thank all the talented people that make his community beautiful. With engaging illustrations packed with fun thumbprint faces, a pop-up wall, and an important lesson about diversity that's relevant to the world today, The Wall will help children see how a society can be harmed when barriers are built, but thrive when everyone works together.
2. When America Fell Silent
Democracy is never bulletproof. Can one ex-SEAL take down America's first dictator? Retired Navy SEAL Hayder Randall would do anything to defend his country. But when his ex-girlfriend and current First Daughter, Elizabeth, watches her Presidential parents fall to a brutal assassination, he's shocked when she stages a coup and takes over the United States. With the nation split down the middle and his vengeful ex out for blood, he feels it's his duty to lead the resistance. As chaos and martial law reign, Randall watches in horror as Elizabeth repeals the First Amendment and begins a campaign of public executions. With the help of a retired Green Beret and a rogue FBI agent, Randall vows to put a stop to the death and destruction.
It’s easy to get a sense that this could actually happen within our lifetime, with vivid imagery and gripping storytelling. This is a great book for readers who are well involved in politics, but also like having fun sometimes too. It's also a book that's interesting to us because the protagonist is one we love to hate.
1. Kinks, Perms & Afros
This unique coloring book celebrates the sophisticated changeability of Black women's hair with 30 hand-drawn images that pay homage to particular hairstyles worn by African American women everywhere. Each drawing has distinctive patterns, bold lines and memorable illustrations of Black women. The book discusses the benefits of coloring, like decreases in stress levels and increases in brain functions, and includes instructions for practicing mindfulness while coloring. Author and illustrator, Andrea Noel, writes, "this book is a reminder for all women of African descent to love our hair and above all to love ourselves. No matter what hairstyle we rock, our hair is beautiful and so are we."
Bonus
That Library Smell
Candles crafted around some of the most prolific authors we’ve known, these are the perfect gift for the bibliophile in your life. Pairing great literary quotes with top-quality fragrances ranging from plumeria and papyrus to smoked cedar and patchouli, this bonus gift is the perfect way to set the mood for your favorite bookworm.
XtraFlex2
This is the perfect present for your reader that’s always on the go. If they’re in the backseat on the road, relaxing by the campfire, or just lounging in the living room, This nifty light will keep their imagine in another world. The Xtraflex2 features two LED's rated for 100,000 hours, providing 20 lumens of bright white light and with two brightness settings to keep the adventure going even in lower light settings. The XtraFlex2 has two optical grade lenses which distribute light evenly. Powered by three AAA batteries with a battery life of 30 hours.
A Call Number Subscription
If you’ve got a bookworm in the family, give them the gift that keeps giving! This unique literature subscription provides quarterly collections of Black literature. Every three months, they’ll receive a box delivered to the door with a newly released book along with items related to the themes of the book. Pick between fiction or nonfiction and expand their horizons.
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