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.

Cover image of Honey for a Child's Heart

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

cover of adorning the dark

PRODUCTIVITY: PERFECT FOR THE START OF A NEW YEAR!

cover of Do More Better

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

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

cover of running for my life

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

cross to kill

FANTASY: SCIENCE FICTION, TRADITIONAL FANTASY, AND MORE

cover of space trilogy

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!

*We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program and others; purchases you make through affiliate links like the ones above may earn us a commission. Read more here.

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Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.

Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.

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Betsy Farquhar

Betsy is the Managing Editor at Redeemed Reader. When she reads ahead for you, she uses sticky notes instead of book darts and willfully dog ears pages even in library books. Betsy is a fan of George MacDonald, robust book discussions, and the Oxford comma. She lives with her husband and their three children in the beautiful Southeast.

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7 Comments

  1. Book Lists 2020 | Semicolon on December 8, 2020 at 7:34 pm

    […] Gift Books for Grown-ups by Betsy at Redeemed Reader. Several of these are already on my own TBR list, and several others I’ve already read and enjoyed. I daresay any of them would make a lovely gift—for someone else or for yourself. (And I still added more books to the TBR list from this one.) […]

  2. Laura Murphy on December 10, 2020 at 2:49 pm

    Oh, I’m *very* excited about this list! Thank you so much!!

  3. Dana Webb on December 12, 2020 at 9:58 am

    Thank you so much for this list! I appreciate your blog very much.

  4. Karen Gadd on March 26, 2021 at 8:55 am

    I would add “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles

    • Lari M. on December 14, 2023 at 7:27 pm

      Ohhh – that is a wonderful book! Absolutely loved it.

  5. Leslie Leonard on December 7, 2021 at 8:16 am

    I’d definitely add The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson to Fantasy. You have one of his books listed in the first category.

    • Janie Cheaney on December 7, 2021 at 12:22 pm

      Leslie: we love the Wingfeather Saga and have included it on many booklists. On this list we’re focusing on books for adults–not that adults can’t enjoy Wingfeather as much as their kids!

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