Finding the perfect book for a friend can feel a little like matchmaking. Get it right and they'll be talking about it for years. Get it wrong and your carefully chosen gift may end up gathering dust on a bedside table.
The trick is separating what they enjoy from what you enjoy. You might love gritty crime novels, but that doesn't mean your friend wants to spend their weekend following a serial killer through the dark corners of a small rural town.
One of the easiest ways to choose well is to think about the stories they already love. What was the last book they couldn't stop talking about? What television series did they binge-watch in a weekend? Do they prefer chick flicks to real life dramas like Celebrity Treasure Island? Or did they get hooked on the latest Netflix sci-fi series? Often their viewing habits reveal just as much as their reading habits.
If you have the opportunity, take a sneaky look at their bookshelf. It can tell you a surprising amount about a person. The authors they return to, the subjects that interest them, and even the books that look well-thumbed can provide valuable clues.
If they are avid readers, they will likely have a long "To Be Read" (TBR) list. If that’s the case, the safest bet is a new release or a recent title that has been getting lots of publicity. If they are more of a casual reader, keep away from long, dense books. Simple novellas (Claire Keegan springs to mind) or short stories are a safe bet. And not everyone enjoys fiction. For readers who prefer real-life stories, a celebrity memoir can be a great option, particularly one that's inspiring, funny, or offers a unique perspective on life.
And don't be afraid to ask a bookseller for help. We spend our days matching readers with books and often only need a few hints to point you in the right direction.
When a book is chosen with care, it becomes more than a gift. It says, "I know you, I thought about you, and I found something just for you."
