Are you a last minute gift shopper? No judgement. I am and it’s basically because I over schedule myself and forget about deadlines (in this case, the holidays) until they’re staring me in the holly jolly face.
If you have a reader in your life, you might be looking for a last minute gift to give. Or maybe you’re done with shopping for others and you’re in the market for something for yourself. Either way, I can guarantee that this list has something for every bookish person and even a few extra things you too.
So, support your local bookstore and enjoy this very last minute gift guide.
The Ultimate Adult Fun Activity Guide by Julie Demyanovich
Mazes, coloring, word searches, oh my. This book is a perfect last minute gift because it’s so much more than a book. The reader in your life may already have their TBR for the upcoming year planned out and might want something else to occupy their non-reading time. With a variety of puzzles and activities this is a great gift for just about anyone. Order here.
If the reader in your life likes true crime, the True Crime Trivia and Activity Book by Lana Barnes could be something they explore between podcast episodes. And maybe the older adult in your life might like Lana Barnes’s Logic Puzzles: Book for Brain Fitness. I love that there’s a 90 day challenge to sharpen the mind and think it’s never too early to train your brain. Both of these would make excellent last minute gifts!
Guided Astrology Workbook: A Step by Step Guide by Stefanie Caponi
From the author of Guided Tarot, The Guided Astrology Workbook is an excellent choice for astrology enthusiasts and beginners. Helpful charts, prompts and insights into signs and birth charts could be a fun easy to navigate activity for teens and adults and a great last minute gift.
Tiny Pep Talks by Paula Skaggs and Josh Linden
If you’re on the hunt for a last minute gift for something a bit more uplifting and motivation, this pick on our last minute gift guide is for you. With bite size encouragement for almost every scenario (from “you agreed to something months ago and now you have to do it” to “you were fired.”), it’s like a warm hug in a pocket size book.
Alternatively, When In Doubt Play Dead by Ally Burguieres features advice from opossum! And the watercolor illustrations are a delight too and just as adorable as the book so be sure to add this to your list if you’re looking for a last minute gift.
Learn To Draw Manga by KritzelPixel
For tweens, adults and everyone in between, this manga drawing guide is instructive and fun and a great last minute gift. Popular youtube artist, KritzelPixel has shared their skill online with tens of thousands of followers and has created easy tutorials to help aspiring manga artists of all levels learn more.
Taylor Swift by the Book: The Literature Behind the Lyrics from Fairy Tales to Tortured Poets by Rachel Feder and Tiffany Tatreau
The perfect last minute gift for Swifties and readers alike, this highly anticipated gift book explores Taylor’s literary allusions and Easter eggs (which I know us Swifties love!). And bonus points if you give a book of Emily Dickenson poetry or The Great Gatsby alongside!
And if you’re stocking the reader in your life up with more Taylor inspired material, Invisible Strings: 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift could be a great addition. From Joy Harjo to Kate Baer, and Maggie Smith, this anthology features poetry inspired by Taylor’s lyrics from incredibly talented contemporary poets. I personally hope I get this for Christmas!
A City Full of Santas by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Thai My Phuong
One of my favorite Christmas decorations is picture books. I love displaying them alongside our stockings and lights. This year, I’m adding A City Full of Santas to the decor and also keeping it in mind as a last minute gift for the littles in my life. This super sweet book about a girl’s hunt for the real Santa, is beautifully illustrated and an instant Christmas classic.
Other books I can’t wait to display and gift this holiday are One Foggy Christmas Eve by Kerilynn Wilson, which is as hopeful and warm as The Polar Express.
The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz
Are you building a picture book library for a little one in your life? Or maybe you’re like me and haven’t met a picture book you wanted on your shelf. The moment I saw The Bakery Dragon I knew I wanted it for myself and also to gift it to as many young readers as I could this holiday season. A perfect readalong while baking winter treats!
Another picture book I know I had to have (and wanted to gift) this holiday season is The Kelce Brothers Golden Book. The Golden Book biography series is such a great addition to any bookshelf and as a football fan, I love this one!
If there are any babies in your family or friend group (especially if they have fur children too), I highly recommend the board books by Natalie Nelson, Dog’s First Baby and Dog’s First Christmas by Natalie Nelson. This playful series features humor that adults will love and is sure to become a family favorite.
You Gotta Eat: Real Life Strategies for Feeding Yourself When Cooking Feels Impossible by Margaret Eby
This is the book I didn’t know I needed and one I want to gift to every young working person I know. Sometimes when we’re adulting, we also forget to do things like fuel our body. Margaret Eby’s glorious cookbook is accessible and understanding and the perfect gift for you or a friend that sometimes needs a little help figuring out what to eat when stressed or feeling burnout or just plain indecisive.
Horror For Weenies by Emily C. Hughes
I’ve been following Emily C. Hughes online forever and I’ve always appreciated her recommendations. That said, I’m not really a horror movie fan so I’ll definitely be using Horror For Weenies if I ever want to delve into the genre more. With helpful talking points, explainers and summaries, this book can introduce any “weenie” to horror films and let them make an informed choice about whether they’re up for a specific movie. Film buffs and pop-culture enthusiasts alike will love this gift.
Stuff Every Tea Lover Should Know by Candace Rose Rardon
A must-buy for any tea-lover, I could see this paired along a sassy tea mug and a selection of tea (Harney and Sons is my favorite!) as a lovely and warm gift bundle this holiday season. Chaiophiles can learn how to brew the perfect cup, what tea traditions are celebrated all over the world, and how tea is made.
Work It Out: A Mood-Boosting Exercise Guide for People Who Just Want To Lie Down by Sarah Kurchak
Sometimes, all you can and want to do is lay on the couch and let your brain rot. And sometimes, you want to move and be active and don’t know how to start. If this sounds like you or a friend and your goal is to get more movement in the new year, I highly recommend Work It Out by Sarah Kurchak as a last minute gift. Accessible, sensitive and motivation, I know I’m planning on checking this title out.
Brianna Robinson is a book publicist and Sarah Lawrence College alum. She lives in New York with too many books and two enthusiastic dachshunds. You can find her on twitter @blrobins2.
