It's that time of the year where we're all shopping for the perfect gift for our loved ones. To make this just a bit easier, we're putting together some gift guides to help you along the way. Check out the rest of our gift guides as they drop over the next two weeks!
I've put together some of my favourites from the shop in my "What Would Liz Gift" edition of our gift guide series!
I always love giving the gift of a book. You might be thinking, "duh, you literally own a bookshop, Liz" but there's so much more to it for me.
My parents never said no to a book when I was growing up. They were okay with saying no to a cheap toy or souvenir, but if there was an option to read, it was never off the table because they knew just how valuable that knowledge would be for me in the future. Because of that, gifting a book to someone you care about is more than just giving them something to read, it's about giving them knowledge that help inform their lives.
Therefore, books are perhaps the great gift in my tool box!
For my mother-in-law who loves mysteries and historical fiction, I'd definitely gift The Rose Code, a book that I read this fall and absolutely loved. I don't typically read a lot of WWII fiction but this one came with a side of adventure and mystery that kept me so engaged. It's a great fit for any of the Kristin Hannah or Philippa Gregory fans in your life!
For my dad, I'd gift Hunting by Stars, another read from this year that I devoured. This is the second book in The Marrow Thieves duology that I introduced him to this year. It's even better than the first book and it is a story laced with so much hope and joy, even in a challenging dystopian setting. On top of all that, it's by Indigenous Canadian author, Cherie Dimaline who has yet to miss in my books with her writing style and captivating imagery.
For my mom, I'd gift this BEAUTIFUL copy of Hamnet, a scenic and atmospheric read that is perfectly paired with a hot cup of team and a warm blanket (don't worry, we got her a giant cozy blanket for Christmas last year). It has some witchy vibes as well as I'd definitely pair it with our Eleven Herbs and Spices bookmark for just a little added touch of magic.
For my father-in-law, who loves a great plot, I'd gift The Dry. This mystery/thriller set against the dry and hot backdrop of Australia did not disappoint. I didn't even figure out the twists which is always a sign of a great thriller in my books. Plus it's the first in a series that will continue to impress with each new read.
For my sister-in-law, I'd gift Meet Me At the Lake. Although she reads a lot of cozy mysteries, when the summer comes and she's spending time outside with her husband, I can't imagine a better book for her to bring along. Fern gives the same drive as my sister-in-law and there is nothing quite like seeing yourself in the characters on a page.
Finally, for my two best friends, Emily & Rachel, who are as undyingly in love with books as I am, I would skip buying them a book altogether and instead give them both a pack of our bookish pencils. They both exhibit all the qualities stamped on the sides and their shelf control is so bad.
Stay tuned for our next gift guide in the coming days! We can't wait to hear what bookish gifts you'll be giving this year!