By Empress Eve
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Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023 at 12:27 pm
It’s almost Thanksgiving, which means holiday shopping has begun and so have some really great sales. One of my favorite items to give and receive is books in all formats – print, eBook, and Audiobook – so putting together this annual guide is a real treat for me.
This year, I tried something a little different; I expanded the guide to include other items that are also commonly found in bookstores, such as puzzles, games, tarot cards, collectibles, and more. For some of the listings, I also included some links to related/similar items that might have been released prior to 2023 and these might be movies, action figures, housewares, and more.
So check out our expanded Holiday Gift Guide 2023: Books Edition for our favorite holiday gift picks for the readers in your life.
TIE-IN DELUXE HARDCOVERS & ILLUSTRATED EDITIONS
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: The Making of the Classic Film Hardcover
By John Tenuto & Maria Jose Tenuto
Publisher: Titan Books
This massive making-of tome is on the top of my list this year! It’s been over 40 years since my favorite Star Trek movie The Wrath of Khan hit theaters and now we have this amazing coffee-table book filled with behind-the-scenes info and photos, production art, unpublished archival material, script extracts, interviews with the creative team, and much more. A must-have for Trek fans!
Unleashing Oppenheimer Inside Christopher Nolan’s Explosive Atomic-Age Thriller Hardcover | Kindle
By Jada Yuan
Publisher: Insight Editions
Movie-goers love everything writer/director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) has to offer, even when the subject matter is the “father of the atomic bomb,” J. Robert Oppenheimer. The Oppenheimer movie was a hit this past summer, so this new 272-page behind-the-scenes coffee table book is a great gift for fans of the filmmaker, as well as history buffs.
Similar/related gift ideas:
– American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer By Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin Paperback | Kindle Edition | Audiobook
– Oppenheimer: The Official Screenplay by Christopher Nolan: Paperback
The Origins of the Wheel of Time The Legends and Mythologies that Inspired Robert Jordan Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By Michael Livingston
Publisher: Tor Books
The Wheel of Time is undoubtedly one of the greatest fantasy series of all time. Now the Amazon Prime streaming adaptation is bringing it to even more people’s attention. So this new hardcover book is perfect for people who want to delve further into Robert Jordan’s world and see what real-world history and mythology inspired its creation.
Explore never-before-seen insights into the Wheel of Time, including:
– A brand-new, redrawn world map by Ellisa Mitchell using change requests discovered in Robert Jordan’s unpublished notes.
– An alternate scene from an early draft of The Eye of the World.
– The long-awaited backstory of Nakomi.
– 8 page, full color photo insert.
Eragon: The Illustrated Edition Book 1: The Inheritance Cycle Hardcover | Kindle
By Christopher Paolini; Illustrated by Sidharth Chaturvedi
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
In celebration of his 20-year anniversary, a new illustrated hardcover edition of Eragon is now available! The Inheritance Cycle fantasy series has been a big hit for Christopher Paolini, who impressively began his writing career as a teenager, so this is a great way to look back on the dragon-ride tale that started it all.
Spielberg: The First Ten Years Hardcover
By Laurent Bouzereau
Publisher: Insight Editions
Steven Spielberg is one of the most famous and beloved filmmakers of all time, and this new book features the first 10 tens of his career, from 1971 to 1982. And let’s face it, that was some decade! It brought us blockbusters like JAWS, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and more.
Stranger Things: Flight of Icarus Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By Caitlin Schneiderhan
Publisher: Random House Worlds
It’s going to be a while til we see the conclusion of Netflix’s hit show Stranger Things, so this new book from Caitlin Schneiderhan can tide you over. The prequel story centers on metalhead and future Hawkins hero, Eddie Munson, who spends his time as D&D Dungeon Master of the Hellfire Club and gigging with his band, Corroded Coffin, who he hopes will make it big. Could this finally be his chance for that? Stranger Things fans will love to dive into this one and get more acquainted with everyone’s new favorite character.
Need a gift for the Stephen King fan in your life? Then the famed horror author’s new book, Holly, is a no-brainer. The story centers on private investigator Holly Gibney, a character from the author’s Bill Hodges series and The Outsider, the latter of which was adapted into an HBO miniseries starring Jason Batman and Cynthia Erivo as Holly.
Similar/related gift ideas:
– The Bill Hodges Trilogy Boxed Set by Stephen King
Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch Hardcover | Paperback
– Stephen King’s Pet Sematary 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo
Star Wars fans LOVE Han Solo and Princess Leia, so they will go crazy for this new novel by Beth Revis, The Princess and the Scoundrel, which sees the spacefaring couple getting married! This is a story that’s been teased for decades and now it’s finally been told, and with lots of added adventure, of course.
Shakespeare Unleashed Book 2: Unleashed Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook
Anthology: Edited by James Aquilone
Monstrous Books
A fantastic mashup of Shakespeare and horror in this second installment of the Unleashed anthology series with stories from Ian Doescher, Jonathan Maberry, Joe R. Lansdale, and many more.
Dragons of Fate Dragonlance Destinies: Volume 2 Hardcover | Kindle Edition | Audiobook
By Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Publisher: Del Rey | Random House Worlds
The long-running Dungeons & Dragons-inspired Dragonlance series continues with Dragonlance Destinies from returning authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. The new book is a follow-up to last year’s Dragons of Deceit, and is the latest in the Dragonlance book series, which began in 1984 with one of my favorite fantasy novels of all time, Dragons of Autumn Twilight (also by Weis & Hickman).
Another fabulous small-screen adaptation from Amazon Prime streaming comes from some great source material: Daisy Jones & The Six by author Taylor Jenkins Reid. The book acts as a history of the rise and fall of a fictional rock band inspired by the Stevie Nicks-fronted Fleetwood Mac and other 1970’s rock groups, led by the charismatic singer Daisy. There’s drama, drugs, and rock and roll in this bestselling quick read.
There were so many good novels released this year, many of which I got to read, review, and recommend! Some of them were even gifts I received this year. Here’s a quick list of some of my favorites that I think will make terrific gifts for the readers in your life.
What Kind of Mother Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By Clay McLeod Chapman | Publisher: Quirk Books
A Haunting on the Hill Authorized follow-up to Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House Hardcover | Kindle Edition | Audiobook
By Elizabeth Hand
Publisher: Mulholland
The Olympian Affair Book 2: The Cinder Spires Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By Jim Butcher
Publisher: Ace Books
The Way Home Two Novellas from the World of The Last Unicorn Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By Peter S. Beagle
Publisher: Ace Books
The Legend of Drizzt: Lolth’s Warrior Book 3: The Way of the Drow Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By R. A. Salvatore
Publisher: Harper Voyager
The Girl in the Eagle’s Talons Book 7: A Lisbeth Salander Novel (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Series) Hardcover | Kindle
By Karin Smirnoff (Author), Sarah Death (Translator);
Publisher: Knopf
The Christmas Appeal: A Novella Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By Janice Hallett
Publisher: Atria Books
Petty rivalries, passive aggressiveness, and backstabbing prevail in this Whodunit tale set during the production of a community theater’s annual Christmas play. And although it is a murder-mystery with some questionable characters, it also manages to be lighthearted and somewhat humorous. This one was highly entertaining and is perfect for this upcoming gift-giving season.
Christmas and Other Horrors An Anthology of Solstice Horror Hardcover | Kindle
Edited by Ellen Datlow
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: October 24, 2023
If your gift recipient is into horror tales, then here’s an original anthology that mixes winter solstice celebrations from around the world with the darker side of traditions, such as ghouls, hauntings, and visitations.
At the top of my Wish List of not just memoirs, but all books this year is this autobiography of Geddy Lee, the singer/bassist of progressive rock trio Rush. The group did their farewell concerts in 2015 and officially disbanded in early 2018 while drummer Neil Peart privately battled brain cancer, from which he died in 2020. The premature dissolution of one of the greatest rock bands of all time was a major disappointment for fans, but also for Lee, who still wanted to make music and tour. Now, Lee is telling his story, from his upbringing in Canada as the child of Holocaust survivors through his lengthy tenure as Rush’s frontman, as well as all his other passions, such as collecting baseball memorabilia. The guys in Rush have kept their personal lives more private than most rock stars do, so this peek into Lee’s world in his own words is a real treat. This is an absolute must-have for fans of Rush, and will make a good gift for those who enjoy memoirs from musicians.
Anaximander: And the Birth of Science Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
By Carlo Rovelli
Publisher: Penguin Riverhead Books
The Universe In A Box Simulations and the Quest to Code the Cosmos Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By Andrew Pontzen
Publisher: Penguin Riverhead Books
The Screech Owl Companion Everything You Need to Know about These Beneficial Raptors Paperback | Kindle
By Jim Wright & Scott Weston
Publisher: Timber Press
50 Hikes with Kids Utah and Nevada Paperback | Kindle
By Wendy Gorton & Hailey Terry
Publisher: Timber Press
The Awesome Travel Trivia Book 365 Weird, Random but Interesting Geography and World Fun Facts Paperback | Kindle
by Iwiz
How to Win at Chess The Ultimate Guide for Beginners and Beyond Hardcover | Kindle
By Levy Rozman
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
New York Botanical Garden Mushroom Identification Flashcards 100 Common Mushrooms of North America Card Set
By The New York Botanical Garden
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
The Explorers Club A Visual Journey Through the Past, Present, and Future of Exploration Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By The Explorers Club (Author), Jeff Wilser (Editor)
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Myth America Historians Take On the Biggest Legends and Lies About Our Past Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By Kevin M. Kruse & Julian E. Zelizer
Publisher: Basic Books
100 Places to See After You Die A Travel Guide to the Afterlife Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By Ken Jennings
Publisher: Scribner
GRAPHIC NOVELS
The Complete Persepolis 20th Anniversary Edition Hardcover
By Marjane Satrapi (Author); Anjali Singh (Translator)
Publisher: Pantheon
For your more serious-minded gift recipients, there’s the 20th anniversary edition of the bestselling graphic novel series Persepolis. This acclaimed work from Marjane Satrapi is her coming-of-age story while growing up as a girl in Iran during the Islamic Revolution, as well as her time in exile. This one is a real eye-opener that is even taught in schools today. This new edition of the complete series is a great gift for adult book lovers and is also appropriate for children ages 14 and older.
Watership Down: The Graphic Novel Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle
By Richard Adams (Author), James Sturm (Adapter), Joe Sutphin (Illustrator)
Publisher: Ten Speed Graphic
A timeless classic beloved for generations, Watership Down is now available as a beautiful graphic novel. This 384-page faithful adaptation will delight fans of Richard Adams’s original book, but is also a great way to introduce younger audiences to the tale.
Below are some cookbooks released in 2023 that would make great gifts for those who enjoy cooking, baking, and mixology. For some listings, related-themed items are also included.
Alice In Wonderland Official Cookbook Book 3: Disney The Official Cookbook Hardcover | Kindle | Deluxe Gift Set with Apron
By Elena Craig & S.T. Bende; Foreword by Ashley Eckstein
Publisher: Insight Editions
Disney: Cooking With Magic A Century of Recipes: Inspired by Decades of Disney’s Animated Films from Steamboat Willie to Wish Hardcover
By Brooke Vitale, Lisa Kingsley, Jennifer Peterson
Publisher: Insight Editions
Supernatural: The Official Cocktail Book Hardcover | Kindle
By James Asmus and Adam Carbonell
Publisher: Insight Editions
Gastronogeek: Recipes to Die For 40 Dishes Inspired by the World’s Greatest Fictional Detectives Hardcover
By Thibaud Villanova
Publisher: Insight Editions
Hocus Pocus: The Official Cookbook 40 Dishes Inspired by the World’s Greatest Fictional Detectives Hardcover | Gift Set Edition with Apron
By Elena Craig, S.T. Bende
Publisher: Insight Editions
The German Baking Book Cakes, Tarts, Breads, and More from the Black Forest and Beyond Hardcover
By Jurgen Krauss (former Great British Baking Show contestant)
Publisher: Weldon Owen
The Official Netflix Cookbook 70 Recipes from Your TV to Your Table Hardcover
By Anna Painter; Foreword by Jennifer Garner
Publisher: Insight Editions
Coco: The Official Cookbook Hardcover
By Gino Garcia
Publisher: Insight Editions
The Witcher Official Cookbook Provisions, Fare, and Culinary Tales from Travels Across the Continent Hardcover | Kindle
By Anita Sarna & Karolina Krupecka; Foreword by Andrzej Sapkowski
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
COLORING BOOKS & LETTERING FOR ADULTS
Stranger Things: The Official Coloring Book Season 4 Paperback
By Netflix
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Similar/related gift ideas:
See “Stranger Things: Flight Of Icarus” listing above for Stranger Things-related items.
The Official Dune Coloring Book Paperback
Inspired by Frank Herbert (Author)
Publisher: Berkley / Ace Books
Dune: Part Two was supposed to hit the big screen this December, but then its theatrical release was moved to March 2024. Now Dune fans have to wait that much longer for this highly anticipated conclusion. Here’s a nice way for your gift recipient to soothe themselves in the meantime — give them this first-ever official adult coloring book based Frank Herbert’s acclaimed novel. The 96-page Official Dune Coloring Book has 44 original illustrations featuring locations, such as the desert planet Arrakis and its creatures, character studies, scenes, and more.
QUICK PICKS – COLORING BOOKS & LETTERING FOR ADULTS
Hand Lettering for Happiness An Introduction to Hand Lettering & Calligraphy Techniques?Designed to Spark Joy! Paperback
By Brenna Jordan
Publisher: Adams Media
The Creepy Cute Goth Coloring Book 30 Pretty Scary Coloring Pages for Year-Round Fun! Paperback
Illustrated by Gaynor Carradice
Publisher: Adams Media
The Düngeonmeister Goblin Quest Coloring Book Follow Along with and Color This All-New RPG Fantasy Adventure! (Düngeonmeister Series) Paperback
By Jef Aldrich (Author), Jon Taylor (Author), Zachary Bacus (Illustrator)
Publisher: Adams Media
Pretty Simple Coloring: Mandalas 45 Easy-to-Color Pages Inspired by the Calm and Balance of Mandalas Paperback
Publisher: Adams Media
Pretty Simple Coloring Series: Nature Scenes 45 Easy-to-Color Pages Inspired by the Beauty of Nature Paperback
Publisher: Adams Media
The Unofficial Horror Movie Coloring Book From The Exorcist and Halloween to Get Out and Child’s Play, 30 Screams and Scenes to Slay with Color Paperback
By Vernieda Vergara; Illustrated by Andy Price
Publisher: Adams Media
Squid Game: The Official Coloring Book Paperback
By Netflix
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Bridgerton: The Official Coloring Book Paperback
By Netflix
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Castlevania: The Official Coloring Book Paperback
By Netflix
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Those who enjoy putting together jigsaw puzzles will have lots of fun with this set from Cynthia Hart featuring adorable cats looking their very Victorian best. I’m not typically into froofy things, but I honestly squealed when I opened these. It’s purrfect (had to do it) for cat-lovers and puzzle-lovers alike. The items are sold separately, but it has 2 jigsaw puzzles, a sticker book, and wrapping paper. (See my full review here.)
MONOPOLY®: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Game
Publisher: USAOPOLY
TRIVIAL PURSUIT®: Marvel Cinematic Universe Ultimate Edition Game
Publisher: USAOPOLY
TABOO: Vintage Bookshelf Edition Game
Publisher: Winning Solutions
YAHTZEE®: Doctor Who TARDIS 60th Anniversary Game
Publisher: USAOPOLY
National Parks Trivia: A Card Game 400 Questions to Test the Knowledge of Every Enthusiast (Ultimate Trivia Card Games) Game
By Emily Hoff & Maygen Keller
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
MISC
Here are some quick picks of items you’d find in a bookstore that would make great gifts for book lovers, such as cards, games, journals, bookmarks, and more.
Necronomicon Tarot Deck and Guidebook Card Set
Written by Christopher March; Illustrated by James Bousema
Publisher: Insight Editions
Universal Monsters Tarot Deck and Guidebook Card Set
Written by Casey Gilly, Illustrated by Joe Wilson
Publisher: Insight Editions
Classic Horror Oracle Cards Card Set
By Ricardo Diseño
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Good Omens Tarot Deck and Guidebook Card Set
By Minerva Siegel (Author), Lúthien Leerghast (Artist)
Publisher: Insight Editions
Elf: The Official Advent Calendar Advent Calendar
Publisher: Insight Editions
The Book Lover’s Advent Calendar 25 Bookish Gifts for Readers Advent Calendar
Publisher: Weldon Owen
You Fell Asleep Here Beaded Bookmark
Publisher: Peter Pauper Press
Star Wars: 125 Conversation Cards Chat Pack Card Set
Publisher: Insight Editions
New York City: A Color-Your-Own Travel Journal Color Your World Travel Journal Series Paperback
By Evie Carrick (Author), Emma Taylor (Illustrator)
Publisher: Adams Media
National Parks Postcards 100 Illustrations That Celebrate America’s Natural Wonders Postcards Set
By Fifty-Nine Parks
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Van Gogh Letters Stationery Set Insights Deluxe Stationery Sets Stationery Set
Publisher: Insight Editions
DC: Batman Hardcover Journal Hardcover
Publisher: Insight Editions
Dune: House of Atreides Hardcover Journal Hardcover
Publisher: Insight Editions
A NOTE ON GIFTING A KINDLE EBOOK:
To gift someone a Kindle Edition ebook, go to the product page on Amazon. On the right side under the main purchase box, is a box called Buy for others. In that box, click the button that says Buy for others. It will bring you to a page where you can choose a delivery method: 1) Have a redemption link sent directly to your recipient, or 2) have the link sent directly to you. If you choose Option 1, you enter the recipient’s email address, a gift message, and the date you want it sent to them (now, or any day up to 45 days from the date of purchase), and Amazon will email them directly. If you choose Option 2, the redemption link will be sent to you and you can choose how you’d like to give it to the recipient — email it to them any time you want, or maybe print it out and put it in a card (although definitely still email it to them at some point to make it easier for them). I send Kindle eBook gifts all the time – they truly make a great gift!
Remember, if all else fails, there’s also the Amazon.com Gift Card available in multiple denominations as an ecard or physical gift card. You can have an eGift (ecard) emailed directly to the recipient (it can arrive immediately if you choose or at a later date that you select) or you can print out the ecard yourself and give it to the intended that way. If you order in enough time, though, you can get the physical gift card sent to you or directly to the recipient, with options to include a gift tin, box, or greeting card.
Check out all of our Holiday Gift Guides for more ideas. Also, as usual, we will have a separate D&D Gift Guide, which will include books, so be on the lookout for that soon.
We encourage you to support local businesses when possible, especially bookstores and comic book and hobby shops! But, if you do use the Amazon Affiliate links included throughout our Gift Guides, we will receive a very small commission, all of which goes towards maintaining Geeks Of Doom. We appreciate your support.
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Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press
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