Are you looking for some last minute gift ideas? Why not give the gift of a good story! We all have a book lover in our life, so why not surprise them with some of the highest rated books of the year? Whether it’s a memoir, a fast-paced thriller, romance, or a cook book, there’s sure to be one here that makes the perfect gift this holiday season.
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For each book I’ve included a link to Goodreads, their rating, and a convenient link to Amazon where you can make your purchase. For those of you who want to get your hands on a copy today, these books are also available at your local bookstore. I’ve also included my reviews for those that I’ve personally read. Stay tuned for more reviews to come!
4-Star Books You Should Gift This Holiday Season
1) The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
Genre: Self-Help
Goodreads Rating: 4.39
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From the publisher: There may be no tidy solutions or pithy answers to life’s big challenges, but Michelle believes that we can all locate and lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux. In The Light We Carry, she opens a frank and honest dialogue with readers, considering the questions many of us wrestle with: What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much?
2) Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Genre: Historical Fiction
Goodreads Rating: 4.43
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From the publisher: For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village. Kya Clark is barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her. But Kya is not what they say. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world—until the unthinkable happens.
3) One by Jamie Oliver
Genre: Cooking
Goodreads Rating: 4.18
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From the publisher: Quick and easy meals are even simpler when you cook with just one pot, pan or tray. And with each recipe using eight ingredients or fewer, requiring minimal prep (and washing up), they offer maximum convenience. With over 100 recipes that’ll teach you simple one-pan techniques there are plenty of no-fuss, tasty recipes that make this a must-have.
4) The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
Genre: Paranormal, Mystery/Thriller
Goodreads Rating: 4.03
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From the publisher: Upstate NY, 1982. Every small town like Fell, New York, has a place like the Sun Down Motel. Some customers are from out of town, passing through on their way to someplace better. Some are locals, trying to hide their secrets. Viv Delaney works as the night clerk to pay for her move to New York City. But something isn’t right at the Sun Down, and before long she’s determined to uncover all of the secrets hidden… Read my review here.
5) Five Survive by Holly Jackson
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery/Thriller
Goodreads Rating: 4.07
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From the publisher: Eighteen year old Red and her friends are on a road trip in an RV, heading to the beach for Spring Break. Until the RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere. There’s no mobile phone reception and nobody around to help. And as the wheels are shot out, one by one, the friends realise that this is no accident. There’s a sniper out there in the dark watching them and he knows exactly who they are. One of the group has a secret that the sniper is willing to kill for.
6) Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Genre: Romance
Goodreads Rating: 4.32
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From the publisher: They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart. Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry’s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek—the man she never thought she’d have to live without.
7) Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Genre: Fantasy
Goodreads Rating: 4.18
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From the publisher: Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind. Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies.
That concludes my list for these 4-star holiday picks! Have you read any of the books on this list? Are there any you’d like to add? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so share your recommendations in the comments! For more posts relating to books, visit my tag here.
I actually saw Michelle Obama’s book in a WHSmiths when I was travelling on Thursday. I definitely think that is a book that I would read. Thank you for sharing your other suggestions.
Lauren.
She’s such an incredible writer, I hope you enjoy her new book! Thank you for reading Lauren!
What a great list. I just loved Every Summer After. I want to get Michelle Obama’s lastest book too.
Thank you Wendy! I’m excited to get to it too. Thank you for reading!
I’ve heard so many people talk about daughter and the moon goddess…I feel like I need to add that to my TBR for the new year. Where the crawdads sing was ok imo, but I thought it would be better tbh.
Same, I’m excited to get through these and see what the hype is about! Thanks for reading!
What a wonderful list of books! I have a library hold for Michelle Obama’s latest book but I see several here that I’ve loved reading. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so excited to get to it too! Thank you for reading Jodie!
Five Survive is a great book and we love the sounds of One. While we love to cook, our busy lives prevent us from doing so more often.
One would be the perfect book as it features one pot recipes with easy clean up! Thank you for reading!
Where The Crawdads Sing is such a beautiful read, I remember I read it during the Covid lockdowns! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I’m so happy to hear that! I’ve only heard positive things about that book. Thank you for reading Lucy!
Great picks! We loved Five Survive and we enjoyed the movie for Where the Crawdad Sings. We’d also love to read Michelle Obama’s latest book.
That’s wonderful! I’m also looking forward to reading Michelle Obama’s book, she’s such an exceptional writer. Thank you for reading!
Oh some great books on here! I’m currently in the middle of reading Where the Crawdad Sings as I’ve wanted to watch the film.
The sun down motel sounds super interesting. Right up my alley. Might have to hint at a few of these to my family members and not the other way round. ahaha
Hahaha I’m so glad you’ve found some books that interest you! The Sun Down Motel was a great read and I hope you enjoy it! Thank you for reading Jessica!
I’ve read ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ and really enjoyed it (then watched the movie, which was okay). I’ve not read the others on this list so I will have to check them out; brilliant!
I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the book! I’m looking forward to finally getting to it this month. Thank you for reading Molly!
I haven’t actually read any of these books but I have heard good things from lots of them!
That’s great that you’re familiar with these books Rose! Thank you for reading!
I’ve read Where The Crawdads Sing last year. Daughter Of The Moon Goddess sounds like my kinda read. I’m also interested in Michelle Obama’s book and Every Summer After. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad that you found some books here that interest you! Thank you for reading Fadima!
I’ve heard a lot of positive things about Where the Crawdads Sing online, so I think this sounds like a great read for me to try out. Thank you for sharing 🙂 x
I hope you enjoy it! Thank you for reading Eleanor!
These are interesting, I would love to have the cooking book to get new recipes. Thank you for sharing these suggestions.
Me too! Especially with Jamie Oliver’s convenient one pot recipes. Thank you for reading Fransic!