It’s true. I’m that grandma, aunt, mom, daughter, friend or wife that’s giving you a book for Christmas. Some of you will be thrilled. Others, not so much. But you will get a book. This is because I like to buy books, as opposed to clothes, electronics, gadgets or closet stuffers. Yes, I’ll be pulled reluctantly into a mall, shop, or navigate the infinite contents of online buying. But I actually enjoy browsing a bookstore. It’s an adventure. History! Science! Adventure! Mystery! Amazing ideas and stories that grab the imagination and pull you along for hours of pleasure. Yes, I’m selfish that way. I don’t want to look at sweaters. Sorry.
You are getting a book because I want you to love books as much as I do. Books bring joy. In my world, if you don’t read it is because you just haven’t found the right books. Buying someone a book is a challenge. Can I pick something to peak your interest? Know that when I buy you a book, I have given it a lot of thought. I have thought about you.
You are getting a book because I want to support authors. Books are their babies and they have worked long and hard to bring them up to be great entities. They have more great books in waiting, but only if someone helps them keep the computer on and the chocolate jar filled. Today’s young people are reading more books than their parents. Christmas miracles abound.
You are getting a book because I want books, too. A special guy bought me a book for Christmas 25 years ago. He later bought me a ring, but it was the book that sealed the deal.
You are getting a book because when the food is gone, the trashcans full, the batteries dead, and the world turns toward a new year, I want to see you open the cover. I want to see your face as the words and pictures flow out. If we snuggle and share a story, I am happy. If I open a book alone, I am happy. Peace on Earth.
I love to give books, too.
Dear Cynthia,
Thanks for posting your idea of giving and receiving books for a gift. That’s sweet of you to support the authors! So clever of your husband to notice your love of books.
Enjoy your holiday!
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
Yep. Hubby knew me well. And hasn’t missed giving a book for Christmas since.
I’m that aunt too, lol. I love giving books. I love receiving books. I plain love buying books!
I’m with you, Cynthia! I love giving books. I give books to my students when I graduate them from educational therapy. I always give them the Dr. Seuss book “Oh! The Places You’ll Go!”. When a student or niece or nephew graduates from high school, I give them a gift card to Barnes and Noble. I give books as Christmas and birthday gifts, too, I guess it’s true– we give what we like to get. Lol Books are my favorite. I love reading them and writing them! 🙂 Great post!
Love to give & receive books. Unfortunately, some on my list aren’t readers, but look out, the ones that are. Good post.
I’ve got (too many) non-readers in my family, but they aren’t spared. They don’t read fiction, but constantly read professional journals and newspapers and online. I find that they will leaf through books of science facts, world records, sports, cookbooks, etc. My grandson is in first grade and reading pretty well. He is very ‘fact’ oriented and interested in science and engineering. I’m on the search for (and writing!) nonfiction, especially narrative nonfiction, that will pull him in; as well as good science fiction for that age group. Not an easy find. Anyone have suggestions?
I’m a BBB (big book buyer) also. I try to tailor the books as best I can.
Just in case someone’s to-be-read pile is overflowing, I attach homemade cookies also, to pass the time while reading…
I love to give books, too, especially to children. They are such an important gift, making their world a little larger and in other ways, smaller—showing each of us how we are more alike than we are different. Nice post!
I love giving and receiving books (ebooks), too, next to Amazon vouchers!