Gift Books for Grown-Ups

Redeemed Reader exists to “shed a gospel light on books for children and teens.” But you know what? We read books for grown-ups, too!

We asked a few friends of Redeemed Reader to help us curate a dynamite list of books for grown-ups that would make great gifts this year. You might also consider this list a “books-to-check-out-at-the-library-for-Christmas-vacation-reading.” Or, perhaps you just need to forward this list to the people buying YOU presents, hmm? You’re welcome.

Please note: these are books written for adults. They may contain more mature themes, language, or situations than the books we typically recommend for teens; we think they’re worth reading, but they might not be “family friendly.” As always, we encourage you to read discerningly.

Gift Books for Grown-Ups

Titles are linked to amazon (affiliate links*).

(List updated 12-14-2023)

LITERARY NIGHTSTAND: INSPIRATION ABOUT BOOKS AND READING

The Literary Nightstand is a regular series here at Redeemed Reader, but some of these titles really stand out.

• Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt (really, a must read and the perfect gift to new parents; RR review)
• I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel (fun, light reading for book lovers; RR review)
• Reading Between the Lines by Gene Veith (robust Christian literary criticism)
• The Christian Imagination, edited by Leland Ryken (fabulous collection of essays about literature and faith from authors past and present)
• On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior (on the virtues of doing a “close read” and its connection to Christian virtues; RR review)
• Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale by Frederick Buechner
• How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster (for those who don’t know how in the world literary critics can “see” all those symbols in a book)
• Reading for the Common Good by C. Christopher Smith (the subtitle describes it well: “How Books Help Our Churches and Neighborhoods Flourish”)

CULTURE AND CREATIVITY: ENGAGE WITH CULTURE (OR PRODUCE YOUR OWN!)

• Culture Making by Andy Crouch (encouraging Christians to make culture; RR review)
• The Liberated Imagination by Leland Ryken (subtitled: “Thinking Christianly About the Arts”)
• Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson (looking at creativity and Christian community; RR review)
• Save the Cat! Write a Novel by Jessica Brody (any aspiring novelists out there?)
• The Mind of the Maker by Dorothy Sayers (a classic for creative Christians)
• Beate Not the Poore Desk by Walter Wangerin (for aspiring authors; RR review)
• The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer (invites readers to look at creativity in all aspects of life)
• The Pop-Culture Parent by Ted Turnau, E. Stephen Burnett, and Jared Moore (read the RR review; Betsy has been using this book with her teen movie club!)
• Art Matters by Neil Gaiman (short, illustrated manifesto that is an ode to art and creativity)
• Redeeming Vision: A Christian Guide to Looking At and Learning From Art by Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt (a thoughtful reflection on the ways in which we love our neighbors through art (and through what we assume from the art we view. This is a good book to discuss with others because you may—or may not—agree with all of Weichbrodt’s conclusions.)
• A Place at the Table: Faith, hope and hospitality by Miranda Harris & Jo Swinney (A beautiful reflection, weaving together a mother and daughter’s experiences: thanks to the Rabbit Room for this recommendation!)

PRODUCTIVITY: PERFECT FOR THE START OF A NEW YEAR!

• Work Clean by Dan Charnas (adapts the mise-en-place method of chefs for the rest of us)
• Do More Better by Tim Challies (wise advice for Christians; some of us read this every year)
• Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung (another book to read every January; both Kindle and audio versions work well for this short book)
• Deep Work by Cal Newport (reminds us to pay attention + tips to reduce distraction)
• Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang (pairs well with Deep Work!)
• The Art of Rest by Adam Mabry (another book on the importance of rest from a spiritual standpoint)
• Atomic Habits by James Clear (an excellent January read as you think about goals and habits for the new year)
• Don’t Overthink It by Anne Bogel (some of the RR staff quote this short book *all* the time)
• You’re Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God’s Design and Why That’s Good News by Kelly Kapic (A fitting meditation in light of our “productivity” goals; well-worth reading!)

TECHNOLOGY AND SCREENS: FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR BALANCE IN WISDOM IN THIS AREA

• Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (a close look at our digital habits and how to minimize the pull of the screen)
• The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch (a winsome examination of how to be wise about technology; RR review)
• Irresistible by Adam Alter (just how irresistible are those devices? RR review)
• 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke (the title sums it up! RR review)

NARRATIVE NONFICTION: HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY, MEMOIR FOR THOSE WHO LOVE A GOOD (TRUE) STORY

• The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler, by John Hendrix (*technically* this is for kids, but adults love it, too! RR review)
• Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin (another book for kids that adults can’t put down, either!)
• The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (wonderful story)
• Running for My Life by Lopez Lomong (one of the Lost Boys of Sudan; RR review)
• The Queen of Katwe by Tim Crothers (a young woman is pulled out of the slums through chess and a sports ministry)
• Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes (a poignant, hopeful, poetic memoir of a woman who survives a troubled childhood; RR review)
• The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (a must read!)
• Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas (the inspiring story of William Wilberforce)
• The Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (James Garfield, Alexander Graham Bell, a fanatic, and more)
• A Shepherd’s Life by James Rebanks (memoirs of a modern shepherd)
• The Best Cook in the World by Rick Braggs (for you Southerners; also has recipes!)
• The Supper of the Lamb by Robert Farrar Capon (deeply reflective and another book that includes recipes!)
• Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen (you’ll want to update your Spotify list after this one)
• Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S. C. Gwynne
• Goodbye to a River by John Graves (calling all Texans)
• Call the Nurse by Mary J. MacLeod (true stories from Scotland)
• The Good Neighbor by Maxwell King (about Mr. Rogers)
• Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber (a literary memoir)
• Radium Girls by Kate Moore (gripping!)
• Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (fascinating glimpse into South African life and culture; if language is a concern, the YA version is a better choice)
• Tomorrow Will Be Better by Zdena Karsal (beautiful memoir of life before, during, and after WWII for a Czech family; worth finding a used version)
• My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrel (imagine a bohemian James Herriot and you have the Durrel family)
• Devotion and A Higher Call by Adam Makos (for military history buffs; RR review)
• In the Land of the Blue Burqas by Kate Mccord (memoir of life in modern Afghanistan; RR review)
• What is a Girl Worth? My Story of Breaking the Silence and Exposing the Truth about Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics by Rachel Denhollander (One woman’s quest for justice while clinging to faith; excellent but hard to read.  The Netflix documentary Athlete A, focused on the topic, pairs very well with this memoir.)
• The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings: J. R. R. Tolkin, C. S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams by Philip Zaleski (read Megan and Hayley’s discussion of this book)
• Dorothy and Jack by Gina Dalfonzo (more Inklings; RR review)
• J. R. R. Tolkien’s Santictifying Myth by Bradley Birzer
• Dead in the Water: A True Story of Hijacking, Murder, and a Global Maritime Conspiracy by Matthew Campbell & Kit Chellel (Two investigative journalists tell a story that will change how you look at modern shipping.)
• Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story about Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables by Phil Vischer (If you have a soft spot for Veggie Tales, then Vischer’s memoir is a fascinating walk down memory lane and a thoughtful reflection on faith and God’s plan.)
• Under Jerusalem: The Buried History of the World’s Most Contested City by Andrew Lawler (History, archeology, and a fascinating study of the many countries, faiths, and individuals involved in excavating Jerusalem.)

FICTION: FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO CURL UP WITH A GOOD BOOK

• Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys (a young adult title with good crossover appeal; grab your Kleenex! RR review)
• Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (lovely, just lovely; RR review)
• The Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
• Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (a book to read more than once)
• Her Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen (more mysteries)
• Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry (for those who love a sense of place)
• The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Richardson
• Lonesome Gods by Louis L’Amour (one of L’Amour’s best, and a modern classic)
• True Grit by Charles Portis (a Western coming-of-age saga and another modern classic)
• Shepherd Suspense series by Andrew Huff (for those who love a good action movie; think: Jason Bourne in Christian fiction; RR review)
• The Four Graces by D. E. Stevenson (Little Women meets wartime England)
• High Rising by Angela Thirkell (quiet village life through the eyes of a middle-aged widow)
• A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson (suffering from Downton Abbey withdrawal? Here’s a novel for you! Read more here)
• The Chosen and My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

FANTASY: SCIENCE FICTION, TRADITIONAL FANTASY, AND MORE

• Dune by Frank Herbert (if you saw the movie, you need to read the book! Alternatively, if you’ve read the book, you should see the movie. This book works well as an audio book in this version.)
• Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis (for those who love fantasy and mythology)
• The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner (we’re partial to the first four; perfect for those who enjoy literary fantasy)
• Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix (for fans of Jane Austen who also enjoy fantasy)
• Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones (for fans of classic light fantasy)
• The Space Trilogy by C. S. Lewis (very timely read!–see Janie’s read-along of That Hideous Strength compared with Lewis’s The Abolition of Man)
• The Bear and the Nightingale by Katharine Arden (Russian fantasy; a trilogy, but the first is best and could stand alone)
• Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (also, the Temeraire series: alternative history—the Napoleonic War with dragons)
• Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett (a good entry point to Discworld, if tongue-in-cheek, cynical fantasy is your cuppa)
• The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (Great worldbuilding and court intrigue with a virtuous main character make for an excellent standalone novel)
• Crosstalk by Connie Willis (Lots of comedy and quick-talking, plus some romance and lots of wry social commentary.)
• Artifact Space by Miles Cameron (Fascinating sci-fi drama with intrigue and well-drawn out characters. The author has a background in the military and creates a very fascinating, realistic world.)
• Cold Iron by Miles Cameron (Great for adult fans of Megan Whalen Turner: a young mage is drawn into a mysterious conflict that upends his world: first book in an excellent trilogy.)
• Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal (A honeymoon through outer space seems wonderful. But not when you’re struggling with anxiety and panic attacks, and mysterious events start adding up.)
• Tales from the Oakenwyld by R. J. Anderson (Anderson revisits her fairy world with three short stories written for adults.)
• Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe (For fans of Greek Mythology, the popular web cartoon is also a book series. See our review HERE.)
• Digger by Ursula Vernon (A small wombat is dragged into an epic adventure in this graphic novel, great for adult fans of Redwall and Diana Wynne Jones.)

What would YOU add to this list?

Special thanks to Alysha Mitchell, R. J. Anderson, and Renee Mathis for contributing to this list alongside the Redeemed Reader team!

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