I’ve always prided myself on giving great gifts, but I especially love when I can find a book to give as a gift that I just know my friends and family members are going to love. There are truly are books out there for everyone, but I’ve noticed throughout the years that the books I’m looking for fall into one of five categories at Christmas time: history, politics, self-help, and adult or young adult fiction. With that in mind, and knowing that all our FFL readers love a good book, here are twenty-five books that would make great gifts for the people in your life this Christmas season, sorted by these major categories.

History

Whether it’s your dad, your grandfather, or your aunt who is getting her PhD in American history, these books will keep them occupied for several hours and maybe teach them a thing or two too!

Napoleon: A Life by Adam Zamoyski

Churchill: Walking with Destiny by Andrew Roberts

Leaders: Myth and Reality by Stanley McChrystal, Jeff Eggers, and Jay Mangone

Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America’s Destiny by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaegar

Lincoln’s Last Trial: The Murder Case That Propelled Him to the Presidency by Dan Abrams and David Fisher

Politics and Political Memoirs

No one wants to talk politics at Christmas, but you can still give those politico around the Christmas tree a book to scratch that itch.

The Point of It All: A Lifetime of Great Loves and Endeavors by Charles Krauthammer

The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Back in the Game: One Gunman, Countless Heroes, and the Fight for My Life by Representative Steve Scalise

Where You Go: Life Lessons from My Father by Charlotte Pence

Self-Help and Pop Culture

Moms, aunts, cousins, and older sisters always seem to be making resolutions and goals and planning for a better future, so why not give them a book that helps them be more reflective? 

Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits–to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life by Gretchen Rubin

You Are a Badass Every Day: How to Keep Your Motivation Strong, Your Vibe High, and Your Quest for Transformation Unstoppable by Jen Sincero

Fabulous and Focused: 365 Daily Devotions for Working Women by Michelle Medlock Adams and Gena Maselli

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered by Lyla TerKeurst

I’ll Be There for You: The One about Friends by Kelsey Miller

Adult Fiction

Everyone loves a good novel. Whether they prefer murder mysteries, romances, sweeping stories, or science fiction, you’ll find something that will draw them in. 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

You: A Novel by Caroline Kepnes

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriaty

An American Marriage: A Novel by Tayari Jones

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing: A Novel by Hank Green

Young Adult Fiction

For the young people in the house, or the young at heart, these young adult novels will draw you in and never let you go, plus they’ll make you think!

The Lying Woods by Ashley Elston

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition (Earthsea Cycle) by Ursula Le Guin

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Han, Brodi Ashton& Jodi Matthews

Aryssa D
FFL Cabinet Member