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As a self-proclaimed reading junkie, I've become notorious over the years for giving books as presents for pretty much any occasion --- birthdays, holidays, weddings, christenings, housewarmings, bridal/baby showers, graduations, various life and career milestones, random days of the week, etc. They make such perfect gifts for more reasons than I can list, but personally, I've always just loved the idea that these simple things, which if you think about it are essentially nothing more than groups of words strung together, can touch people on a very personal level --- move them in some way, be it to laughter, tears, or any other emotion in between. So, it's no surprise that every December, one of my absolute favorite things to do is to take a mental inventory of the hundreds of books on my shelves and the countless others I've read over the years, and then try to match them with someone in my life who'll love them as much as I do.

With Hanukkah arriving in just a few days and Christmas only a couple of weeks away, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite literary gems I've gifted time and time again, in case any of you are searching for the perfect holiday present for a friend or loved one, or are maybe looking for a good title or two to add to your own wish list this year.


THE VELVETEEN RABBIT by Margery Williams
Pretty high on my list of absolute favorite books of all time, I think I can trace my love of reading all the way back to this adorable little tale about a toy brought to life with the help of the child who owned him. It may be a children's picture book, but readers of any age will appreciate what the stuffed bunny at the center of the story learns about exactly what it means to be "REAL," and just how powerful the simple acts of loving and being loved can be.


"A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote
This autobiographical short story by Truman Capote, author of IN COLD BLOOD and "Breakfast at Tiffany's," is a perennial holiday favorite. I read it for the first time when I was 14, as an assignment for my freshman-year English class, and the last 3 pages reduced me to a blubbering mess of tears --- and I mean that in the absolute best way possible. Who can resist a bittersweet tale of friendship, childhood innocence, and the spirit of generosity during the holidays? Keep the tissues handy though, as it also explores loneliness and loss, while offering an interesting perspective on faith.


HAPPINESS IS A WARM PUPPY by Charles M. Schulz
An old classic from the artist who brought us the Peanuts comics, this sweet little book serves as a perfect reminder that some of life's greatest pleasures are the littlest ones, like walking in the grass with your bare feet, wearing your favorite fuzzy sweater, and playing a good old-fashioned game of hide-and-seek.



LETTERS TO A YOUNG POET by Rainer Maria Rilke
I've given more copies of this book as gifts than I can count, but I've also needed to pick up a few for myself, since more than one person I've lent it to has refused to give it back! These ten letters written in the early 20th century by a famous German poet to a 19-year-old aspiring writer not only offers sage advice on penning poetry, but also on growing up, learning to love, overcoming sadness, dealing with loneliness, and finding a career path. One of my favorite bits of imparted wisdom seems to make a little more sense with each reread:
"Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."


WHAT THE DORMOUSE SAID: Lessons for Grown-ups from Children's Books, collected by Amy Gash, illustrated by Pierre Le-Tan, Forward by Judith Viorst
I've always been convinced that children's and young adult literature contain far more wisdom than their deceptively simple stories let on, and this adorable but poignant collection of quotations --- by authors ranging from Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein to Judy Blume and J. K. Rowling --- has done all the heavy lifting for me in proving my point. Perhaps the older we get, the more we need to be reminded of these life lessons imparted to us at an early age through our favorite books. In the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in THE LITTLE PRINCE, "Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them."


I'd love to hear about some of your favorite books to give as gifts --- or meaningful books you've been given --- in the comments below!


-- Marisa Emralino
Editorial Coordinator for Teenreads.com