Give an idea or a new perspective this holiday season. Gift a book!
There are lots of ways to gift sustainably during the holidays. But one of our favorites is the gift of a good book. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. This year’s OPL holiday book gift guide has it all – from practical guides and cookbooks to compelling fiction.
When you give a book, it’s like giving three gifts in one! A good book is a gift that lasts and can be shared. The time your recipient spends reading the book is another gift: a moment to pause and read in quiet, perhaps with a hot beverage. And of course, the the knowledge gleaned from the book is a gift that keeps on giving. Books provide lasting enjoyment, whether you gift a cookbook, a thought-provoking history tome, or an inspiring practical guide.
Where you purchase your book matters.
If possible, shop at your local bookstore. It’s a great way to support your local community, and it’s always a rewarding shopping experience. If you prefer to shop online, we recommend the sustainable book retailer, Better World Books. For every book you purchase, they donate a book to someone in need. Better World Books has donated over 31 million books, raised nearly $32 million for literacy and libraries, and reused or recycled over 327 million books! That’s an impressive positive ripple effect for people and the planet.
Eye-Opening Reads about our Planet
The Story of More by Hope Jahren
Deeply compelling, The Story of More is a must-read for anyone that wants a quick way to become informed on our impact on the planet.
The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac
The Future We Choose warns of the dire consequences if humans fail to stop emitting more greenhouse gases than the planet can absorb by 2050.
Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life by Edward O. Wilson
Wilson argues that we must “increase the area of inviolable natural reserves to half the surface of the Earth” to avoid the sixth extinction.
Books for Foodies and Gardeners
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle merges journalism with personal memoir as Kingsolver records her decision to only consume what she could grow.
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman
With straightforward, unfussy recipes, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian can make even the most reticent home chef more confident.
Urban Gardening for Beginners by Marc Thoma
Marc Thoma’s Urban Gardening for Beginners shares how to create a container garden, as well as plant recommendations and care instructions.
For Hobbyists and History Buffs
The Golden Thread by Kassia St. Clair
The Golden Thread offers a fascinating journey through the evolution of textiles and their profound influence on human civilization.
Worn: A History of People’s Clothing by Sofi Thanhauser
Worn shares how five materials (linen, cotton, silk, synthetics, and wool) and the clothes we wear shape and reflect human history.
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
Diamond draws from a wide breadth of knowledge to answer big questions about human history over the past 13,000 years.
Books for Nature Lovers
The Nature Fix by Florence Williams
Williams offers a fascinating investigation into the benefits of spending time in nature and practical tips for how to do so.
Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols
Williams offers a fascinating investigation into the benefits of spending time in nature and practical tips for how to do so.
The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman
Birds are intelligent imitators, unpredictable tricksters, entertainers, and caregivers. Swoop in and learn more about bird behaviors!
There are so many more books to choose from in our Recommended Reads!
Books are wonderful gifts for the ones you love. They are also great gifts to give yourself. Let’s all pledge to take some ‘me’ time to read a good book this holiday season.
