What To Read

Whatever you celebrate, we challenge you to go full Jolobokaflod and give the ultimate thoughtful gift to everyone on your list. In fact, if you buy 4 or more books on Tertulia, we'll give you 10% off your order through December 26.

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Here’s a guide to get you started including: spot-on picks for the traveler, sartorialist, podcast detective, puzzle fanatic, weeknight chef, history buff and more... plus, a selection of can't-go-wrong fiction and non-fiction books published this year. 

Remember: if you try out Tertulia membership, you'll get unlimited free shipping and an additional 10% off all books throughout the season.

The King's most loyal subject

This is what the master of horror and thrills was working on during the pandemic. It's the story of a 17-year-old boy who inherits the keys to a parallel world where good and evil are at war, and he—and his dog— must lead the battle. Can't go wrong with this as a gift for the devoted or casual King fan.

The true crime junkie

A fascinating deep dive into the Osage murders and birth of the FBI. This is always a solid recommendation but so timely now with the forthcoming film adaptation directed by Martin Scorsese, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.

The Agatha Christie addict

We can't clone the Queen of Crime, so it's a good thing she wrote more than 70 books... For an even more unique gift, year's anthology of crime stories by contemporary authors features Christie's detective Jane Marple.  

The thrill-seeker

The socialite. The nice guy. The alcoholic. The girl on the verge. The concierge. Everyone's a suspect in this Paris apartment. Crime Reads called it: "Must-read suspense for fans of Only Murders in the Building."

The podcast detective

A mega-hit podcast following a shadowy murder is at the heart of this addictive psychological thriller. Great gifts for fans of "Serial" as well as books by authors like Ruth Ware or Paula Hawkins. 

The world traveler

An inspiring travelogue of the world's great cities as told from the pilot's point of view. Travel writer master Pico Iyer said in AirMail that it "seems to have a near-bottomless appetite for fresh sights and guidebook curiosities."

The urbane foodie

A brand new front-of-the-house Kitchen Confidential that takes you inside restaurants you'll probably never actually be able to get a table at. (Preorder for this book's release on Dec 6.)

The champagne lover

Delve into the story of a champagne empire and the woman who ruled it. (Of course a great add-on to a bottle of bubbly.)

The sartorialist

The definitive biography of one of the most influential figures in fashion history.

If your fashionista friend already read Anna, try British Vogue editor Edward Enninful's popular memoir, which has been talked up by Serena Williams, Lupita Nyong'o, Trevor Noah and Naomi Campbell among others.

The aspiring artist

A famed art critic gives tips on how to break through creative blocks, get the most from materials, navigate career challenges, and even find joy in the work.

The photography enthusiast

This treasury of photos and commentary from documentary master Ken Burns includes iconic works alongside shots by artists who worked in obscurity but that particularly moved him.

The art history buff

The story behind how the most controversial visionary of the Paris avant-garde broke through to the heart of American culture.

The puzzle addict

This is a fascinating dive into the history and culture of the great puzzles from crosswords to Rubik's cube to jigsaws. Seasoned puzzlers will definitely learn some new strategies as well!

The time-strapped weeknight cook

A home cook turned recipe developer offers 150 dishes that take less than 45 minutes and use no more than 10 ingredients. Makes cooking easy and accessible on the fly — but not without some flair.

The friend who hosts your book club

This 2018 book has had a resurgence in popularity as we began to gather together after COVID-19 isolation. A guide to invigorating any group gathering with distinctiveness.

Your adult son/daughter who is getting into cooking

A modern kitchen essential, this book includes  recipes, illustrations and kitchen science from the chef who has taught everyone from chefs to kids to author Michael Pollan to cook.

For vegan evangelists or the vegan-curious

Fast-forwards to a future, when animals are no longer exploited for food or goods. Great perspective for the new Vegan or anyone trying to eat less meat. 

The thoughtful gardener

The prolific Rebecca Solnit has so many great books to gift. This one's great for anyone who admires gardens and the natural world. It explores politics, pleasure and roses in the often overlooked side of George Orwell as an avid gardener.

Historical fiction for the friend who binge-watches Bridgerton. 

Even Julia Quinn who wrote the Bridgerton books called this book her new find in historical romance when it came out.

Fans of The Crown  

A must-read for anyone who follows the Royals, this is the inside story of the British royal family since the death of Princess Diana, from the Queen’s tightening grip to the defection of Harry and Meghan. Great material to prep for Harry's memoir coming out in January.

Hardcore Lord of the Rings followers 

This brand-new release compiles all of Tolkien's writings on the Second Age of Middle-earth, preceding Lord of the Rings. This is the ultimate compilation for serious fans and includes some beautiful illustrations.

Game of Thrones fanatics

This prequel set 300 years before the story of Game of Thrones (and the basis for the House of the Dragon series) is definitely a great first step for anyone setting out to read the epic fantasy work of R.R. Martin while they are waiting for the next season.  

Conversations with Friends Fans

For the Sally Rooney heads out there, we assume that they've already read her last novel Beautiful World, Where Are You. If that's the case, we'd recommend you introduce them to this book by Raven Leilani, in which a messy 20-something living in Brooklyn strikes up a relationship with a man in an open marriage, only to become hopelessly entangled.  

NEW FICTION 2022  

When in doubt, you can always gift a juicy novel or collection of short stories. These are reliable picks for books that came out in 2022.

An Oprah Book Club pick by one of America’s most revered authors, this book is a modern-day retelling of Dickens about a boy's life torn apart by the scourge of the opioid crisis.

The “best short-story writer in English” (Time) is back with a masterful collection that explores ideas of power, ethics, and justice.

An extraordinarily acclaimed novel — winner of the 2022 Kirkus Prize.

The author of Station Eleven tells a story of art, time travel, love, and plague that takes us from Vancouver Island in 1912 to a dark colony on the moon five hundred years later.

NEW NON-FICTION 2022

Here are four stand-out books published this year that would make great gifts for the reader who prefers non-fiction.

The winner of the 2022 National Book Award in non-fiction. In a dazzling review, Tayari Jones wrote in The New York Times, "any attempt to classify this ambitious work, which straddles genre, kicks down the fourth wall, dances with poetry, engages with literary criticism and flits from journalism to memoir to academic writing — well, that’s a fool’s errand and only undermines this insightful, ambitious and moving project."

Giving 23andMe gift certificates is out. Thoughtful memoirs and family histories are (very) in!  This book is a sweeping genealogical history that brings new perspective on the roots of our complicated family relationships. 

A Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist takes readers on a close-up tour of the wonders of the animal world, inspiring awe for the sensory diversity of our planet.  

This memoir-in-essays from novelist and literary lighthouse Ann Patchett reflects on home, family, friendships and art.