The best gift book says, I was thinking of you. Here are five friends you probably have, and a book for each. None of them needs wrapping paper to feel generous.
The friend who needs a laugh
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (1990). An angel and a demon try to stop the end of the world because they have grown fond of it. Funny, kind and quotable.
The friend who is always traveling
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (1998). A comic, affectionate account of an attempt to walk the Appalachian Trail. It fits in a backpack and makes the miles go faster.
The friend who loves history
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (2009). Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII, told so vividly it feels like gossip. A generous book for a patient reader.
The friend who is having a hard season
Wintering by Katherine May (2020). A gentle memoir about resting through difficult times. It asks nothing of the reader and offers a lot.
The friend who says they do not read
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2021). A fast, funny space adventure that is very hard to put down. It is the gift that converts people.
How to give it
Write a line on the first page, even just a date and a name. If you are unsure, tell the BookPal about the person and what they enjoy, and ask for three ideas. Then check whether a local independent bookshop can order it.
