Do you know a person who keeps their nose buried in a book? How about someone who reads until she falls asleep only to be rudely awakened when her Kindle smacks her on the nose? Yes, I admit to doing this on a regular basis.

Samples were received to create this post. However, we only recommend products we’d love to give or receive as gifts.
If you have voracious readers in the family, this collection of cookbooks, gardening books, and children’s books will tap into their inner bibliophile.  The Type-A family members or those that need a *little* push to develop their organizing skills will enjoy the calendars and planners.  And, if you enjoy snuggling with a good book, you’ll need a cozy throw to keep you warm.

Ready to read? Check out the Book Lovers Gift Guide 2019.

Book Lover’s Gift Guide 2019

I’ve included the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for each book, but many times the price will be cheaper on Amazon.

For the Cook:

Steak and Cake: More Than 100 Recipes to Make Any Meal A Smash Hit By Elizabeth Karmel- A must for any omnivore and dessert lover, this book pairs succulent steak recipes with amazing desserts.  Think of meals like Cumin-Rubbed Flank Steak and Chimichurri Potatoes followed by Tex-Mex Chocolate Sheet Cake. Ms. Karmel says this is a perfect cake for beginners to bake. So, if you have someone you want to impress, hint, hint.   Or maybe your family craves Steak Diane with Twice-Baked Potatoes followed by Retro Chocolate Cupcakes. Whatever the taste, you’ll find plenty of restaurant-quality recipes in Steak and Cake.
There are plenty of mouth-watering photos included to whet your appetite, along with a collection of ‘something on the side’ dishes.  Another chapter features a steak primer. You’ll learn everything you need to know about cuts of steak, along with tips on selecting the perfect cut. Beginning bakers will appreciate using the cake primer to create scrumptious cakes.

The Steak and Cake Cookbook is published by Workman and has an MSRP of $22.95.

The Ultimate New Mom’s Cookbook by Aurora Satler and Allison Childress – This National Parenting Product Award-Winning Cookbook delivers friendly advice and easy recipes.  Beginning with recipes to help soothe the woes of pregnancy (Baby Tummy Gingery Lemonade to help relieve morning sickness, anyone?) recipes evolve through foods suitable for baby, to foods the entire family will enjoy. The recipes are accompanied by drool-worthy pictures.

The advice, shared by a licensed dietitian, is practical, explaining when to introduce foods to babies and debunking common food myths. There’s even a section on how to stock the pantry before the baby arrives. If you’ve had a child, you know groceries will be the last thing your sleep-deprived mind will care about after you arrive home from the hospital.  This is a thoughtful gift for any new or expecting parent.

The Ultimate New Mom’s Cookbook is published by Page Street Publishing and has an MSRP of $22.95.

The New Southern Cookbook: Classic Family Recipes and Modern Twists on Old Favorites by Pam and Brittany Wattenbarger- You knew this one would be here, didn’t you?  If you enjoy classic Southern food, but want or need Gluten-free, Vegan, or Dairy-Free meals, The New Southern Cookbook is the book for you. We’ve gathered 100 classic family recipes passed down through generations. We’ve included everything from appetizers to desserts.

We know you’re busy, so we use easy-to-find ingredients you probably already have on hand. We wrote in a chatty tone, so you’ll feel like you are visiting with us in our kitchen. We’ve tossed in humorous family stories, cooking tips, and food trivia to shake things up. Whether you’re Southern, enjoy Southern food, or just want an introduction to Southern cooking, you’ll find all sorts of goodies to nourish your family.

The New Southern Cookbook is published by Rockport Press and has an MSRP of  $19.99.

The Everything Keto Diet Meal Prep Book by Lindsay Boyers- Keto is the hot new diet trend. For those of us who were afraid of dipping our toes into the water because of the expense and the complicated ingredients required to eat Keto, Ms. Boyers has simplified the process.  She’s created 300 low carb recipes that can be whipped up in advance. Plus, they use common ingredients you can find at your local grocery.

Better yet, the entire family will enjoy these recipes which include dishes like pork carnitas, jerk chicken, and BLT dip. While only a few pictures are included in the book, (I counted 24), I found it easy to envision the recipes. There’s a good variety of dishes, including appetizers, desserts, main dishes, and a chapter devoted to vegan and vegetarian dishes.  This is a solid start for anyone beginning the Keto diet or anyone who needs fast, easy meal inspiration.

The Everything Keto Diet Meal Prep Cookbook is published by Adams Media and has an MSRP of $19.99.

The I Love My Air Fryer Gluten-Free  Recipe Book by Michelle Fagone- I am always the last one to investigate a new trend, but I do love my air fryer. It makes it easy to prepare healthy, gluten-free meals. Thanks to this new book, I have 175 easy recipes to try. I had been in an air fryer rut, cooking things like sweet potato fries, and, well, sweet potato fries. Now, I am preparing delicious recipes like carrot cake cupcakes and chicken Satay kabobs with peanut sauce.

The use of common ingredients found at local grocery stores makes this a practical gift for a new cook. Even the ingredients that sound complicated, like “pork dust,” can be made by processing a handful of pork rinds.  Not all of the recipes have pictures to accompany them.  If you are new to gluten-free cooking, remember loaves of bread, muffins, or biscuits may not rise as high as their gluten-filled counterparts.

The I Love My Air Fryer Gluten-Free Recipe Book is published by Adams Media and has an MSRP of $16.99.

The Everything Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cookbook by Audrey Roberts- When I first discovered my daughter had Celiac disease, there were few gluten-free products available.  Her first experience with a gluten-free waffle was not ideal. She cried because she would never ‘taste good food again.” I learned to gluten-free cooking from scratch. Talk about a huge learning curve.

Thankfully,  people with celiac have more pre-made food choices available. They also have this cookbook.  With 300 easy gluten-free and dairy-free recipes, families can once again enjoy muffins, chicken nuggets, cakes, and more.  The book begins with an explanation of gluten-free and dairy-free living, along with a list of some of the many items to avoid.  It’s a good gift for anyone starting a gluten-free diet or for those of us who want simple, tasty meals.

The Everything Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cookbook is published by Adams Media and has an MSRP of $18.99.

Intermittent Fasting Basics by Lindsay Boyers- One of my friends has lost over 70 pounds this year, thanks to intermittent fasting. When she explained fasting, I was eager to see what the fuss was about. My earlier ventures into fasting were influenced by my lifestyle, not for weight loss purposes. Basically, there were times I was too busy to eat. 

This book helps beginners understand the purpose of fasting for weight loss. Beginning with an explanation of why people fasted throughout history, Ms. Boyer provides the benefits of fasting. She explains how to overcome negative self-talk when someone starts to fast and feels hungry, and beginning slowly by skipping one meal. I appreciate how she suggests some people with certain medical conditions should not fast, and recommends seeking doctor approval before attempting to begin this program.  The book concludes with 50 + recipes, varying from clean eating peanut butter cookies to pork and fennel meatballs.

Intermittent Fasting Basics is published by Adams Media and has an MSRP of $14.99.

Skinny Southern Cookbook- by Lara Lyn Carter- Growing up in the South, I developed a taste for those delicious comfort foods we’re famous for preparing. Fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, fried tomatoes; let’s face it. Those are difficult to resist. That’s why Ms. Carter’s book is hard to resist. On her journey to become a clean-eating, skinny Southerner, she realized she didn’t want boring food.

She spent the next 150 days of her diet preparing a recipe a day. The result was this book of 90 reinvented Southern classics without the guilt. We’re talking pecan-crusted catfish, green bean casserole, pumpkin spice smoothies; all the classics we Southerners want to grace our plates.  All of the recipes feature scrumptious photography that will send you running into the kitchen to create the dishes for yourself. I especially enjoyed the “kids in the kitchen” chapter,  which features easy, healthy recipes perfect for little helping hands.

The Skinny Southern Cookbook is published by Familius and has an MSRP of $29.99.

Lick The Bowl: Ryliecakes Essential Guide To Gluten-Free Baking by Tara Rylie- Gluten-free baking can be a challenge. Many recipes contain 17 different types of flour, xantham gum, fresh buttermilk from the neighbor’s cow, and the secret formula used to make Coca-Cola. I am only slightly exaggerating.  Thanks to Tara Rylie, owner of Ryliecakes, baking no one has to be bland, boring, and time-consuming.

Her book, Lick the Bowl, features 70 recipes, ranging from sweet to savory, so good it makes you want to, well, lick the bowl. Who can go wrong with a recipe entitled “No Matter what the Question, Chocolate Cake is the Answer?” Some of these recipes use mixes available in her shop, while some, like the Anything Goes Mousse”, are recipes developed in her former bakery. Either way, they contain minimal, easy-to-find, ingredients. I love the conversational tone and the short stories she adds to each recipe. The tips, tools, and technique sections are some of the most in-depth I’ve seen in the beginning of a cookbook.  I’m an experienced cook, but I picked up a few tips myself!

If you can’t wait to unleash the gluten-free guru in you, you can order Lick the Bowl for 29.95 at the Ryliecakes website.

Food For the Family Soul: Call Your Mother-In-Law by Ashley Nunez- The first book in the Food For the Family Soul series came about through a request by Ms. Nunez’s daughter. She asked her mom to write a cookbook for her that included half of the family recipes, along with another cookbook of the other half of her recipes for her future sister-in-law. This way all three women could collaborate to create a complete meal for family gatherings.

The recipes are labeled to let you know if they’re “Yum,” like something Grandma would make without worrying about dieting, or if they are Mediterranean, Paleo or Keto.  Many of the recipes include allergy-friendly adaptations such as gluten-free, nut-free, and diabetic-friendly, as well.  The conversational tone made reading this book seem like sharing recipes with a friend and there are yummy photos of each dish. Whether you’re in the mood for Italian Chicken in a White Wine Cream Sauce or Banana Bread, you’ll find recipes your family will love.

Food for the Family Soul: Call Your Mother-In-Law is published by Junk Food Kids and has an MSRP of $35.49.

For the Gardener:

Upcycling Outdoors by Max McMurdo – Gardening can be an expensive hobby, especially when adding those quirky pieces that make a garden unique. In Upcycling Outdoors, Mr. McMurdo shares techniques using found objects to create a variety of garden projects. You’ll find plans for everything from creating a potting shed with three old doors to lighting up your patio with festoon lampshades.

Mr. McMurdo also acknowledges the rise of particle board furniture instead of the old second-hand solid wood furniture. He shares tips on how particleboard can be made durable for outdoor use. This book walks readers step by step through twenty projects, from lighting to furniture. Novices to upcycling will appreciate the tools and techniques, along with the ‘how-to scavage like a pro’ section.

Upcycling Outdoors is published by Quarto Knows and has an MSRP of $29.99.

Fairy Houses- by Sally J. Smith – No garden is complete without a fairy house.  In this book, Ms. Smith details ‘how to create whimsical homes for fairy folk’ using items mostly found in nature. From doors made of twigs to towers made from pine cones, each project offers step-by-step instructions and plenty of pictures for reference.  The six detailed chapters explain design inspiration, blueprints, creating components, lighting and interiors, finishing touches, and building a faerie house from the ground up. These houses are a work of art and sure to become the centerpiece of any garden.

Fairy Houses is published by Quarto Knows and has an MSRP of $30.00.

 One Magic Square Vegetable Gardening– by Lolo Houbein- Want to try your hand at gardening, but afraid you don’t have enough space? This book provides the ‘easy, organic way to grow your own food in a 3-foot square.’ We’re talking vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Ms. Houbien shares how to create 40 plot designs ranging from an Asian Greens Plot to a soup plot.

These designs not only summer, but you’ll also find fall and winter plots.  Catering to beginning gardeners, topics include practical advice on controlling weeds and insect pests, finding easy to grow vegetables, fruit trees, and berries, the best common herbs, and discussing climate.  Experienced gardeners will appreciate the tips on drying, pickling, and freezing food, along with tips to enrich the soil and maximize production.

One Magic Square Vegetable Gardening is published by The Experiment Publishing and has an MSRP of $18.95.

Grow Your Own Herbs by Susan Belsinger and Arthur O. Tucker- This book is herb growing 101. Beginning with a section on growing herbs at home, this book walks you through proper soil conditions for growing herbs, propagation, health problems and treatments.

The sections on harvesting, preserving and using herbs in the kitchen will help maximize your herb crop.  If you are wondering what will grow in your area, the authors include 40 of the best culinary herb varieties for home gardens. Each of the 40 herbs includes a picture, sections for cultivating and propagation, harvesting, and tasting tips. A handy boxes on each page details the growing zones,  the perfect soil, and the perfect watering conditions.

Grow Your Own Herbs is published by Timberpress Books and has an MSRP of $16.95.

The Beginners Guide to Starting a Garden by Sally Roth- If you’ve dreamed of having a landscape full of flowers, Ms. Roth has ‘326 fast, easy, affordable ways to transform your yard one project at a time.’ This book concentrates solely on flowers, not veggies or herbs, and provides 12 garden plot designs for almost every area of the yard.

The book begins with a quiz to determine your gardening style and includes tips to add casualness or formality to the garden.  Gardening can be expensive, so she sprinkles penny-pinching tips throughout the book. If you are wondering what you should or should not plant, you’ll find the ‘Don’t Plant a Problem’ and ‘Punch it up’ boxes helpful. I thought I knew a lot about gardening, but I learned new tips I’m putting into practice. This is a must for any new gardener and a good read for an experienced gardener.

The Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Garden is published by Timberpress and has an MSRP of $19.99.

Plant Parenting– by Leslie F. Halleck – Buying garden plants adds up fast. I’ve learned that growing plants from seeds or propagating plants can save a ton of money. However, starting from scratch rather than with a potted plant from the nursery can be an experience. And, not always in a good way. In this book, Ms. Halleck explains easy ways to create more houseplants, vegetables, and flowers.

She begins by sharing when and why to grow plants from seed and when to choose vegetable propagation.  Other techniques included in the book are water rooting, root cutting, rhizome cuttings, and leaf cuttings. Her detailed steps provide information on the tools needed, how to store and collect seeds, and how to prevent common pests and diseases. I’ve used a few of these methods to grow succulents and seeds, but I plan to delve deep into her advice to expand my garden at a much more reasonable cost.

Plant Parenting is published by Timberpress and has an MSRP of $24.95.

For Kids:

Dinosnores –By Sandra Boynton-  This cute board book shares a rhyming story of dinosaurs getting ready for bed. The colorful illustrations walk kids through the bedtime rituals of washing their faces, brushing their teeth, and changing into their jammies. That’s when the dinosaurs start to snore. Children will love making the “honk shooooo” sounds with their parents in this fun bedtime read.

Recommended for infants and preschoolers, Dinosnores is published by Workman and has an MSRP of $6.95.

The Big Book of Monsters– By Hal Johnson – This book is a great introduction to the classics. Featuring ‘the creepiest creatures from classic literature,’ kids will learn about well-known monsters such as Dracula and Frankenstein. There’s also lesser-known monsters, such as Rakshasi and Apep. The stories are written in an engaging manner and include fact boxes sprinkled throughout the pages. A ‘Beyond the Book’ section follows each story, sharing other examples of the creatures in literature, along with anecdotes and more.

Recommended for ages 10 and up, The Big Book of Monsters is published by Workman and has an MSRP of $16.95.

So Many Stickers–  Designed for ‘planners, snail mail, love notes, and more,’ this book contains ‘2500 stickers for your little big life.’ There’s a wide variety of stickers, including animals, food items, travel themes, hearts, and much more. The stickers are small and come in sheets of 50 per page. This would make an excellent addition to a child’s road trip busy bag.

Recommended for ages preschool and up, So Many Stickers is published by Pipsticks & Workman and has an MSRP of $12.95.

Paint By Sticker Kids: Unicorn & Magic – For the child who loves fairy tales and a touch of the mysterious, this book is a perfect blend of art and education. Instead of using paint, kids will use numbered stickers to create all sorts of magical creatures. The book features 10 pictures, including a fairy, two unicorns, a wizard, a dragon, a phoenix, a mermaid, a castle, a princess, and a gingerbread house. It’s another great addition to a child’s road trip busy bag.

Recommended for ages 5 and up, although younger kids could do this with help,  the Paint by Sticker Kids series is published by Workman and has an MSRP of $9.95.

KeeKee’s Big Adventures in London, England by Shannon Jones- If you have children that love to travel, even if it’s armchair travel, they need to meet KeeKee the cat.  She’s a real cat adopted from a shelter in Washington State, who moved to the Netherlands with her family.  Her cartoon self has written 5 award-winning books, including her latest about her adventures in London.

Kids can travel around the city with KeeKee and her friend William Sheepspeare, visiting attractions like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.  The book includes a glossary of British Terms (Brilliant, I say!) and a kid-friendly map of London. Check out KeeKee’s website for free, colorful, printable travel guides to Paris, Amsterdam, Athens, and Rome or to view her podcast.

KeeKee’s Big Adventures in London, England will be released on November 19th. It’s available now for pre-order. The cost is $16.99.

Calendars & Planners:

Magical Activity Wall Calendar 2020– Everyone needs a little magic in their life and this calendar will give any day a boost. Each month includes sections for doodling and building self-esteem. The date squares are large, allowing plenty of room for jotting down all the important things you need to remember, plus unusual dates are tossed in for fun. Did you know October 30th is Frankenstein day or August 3rd is National Watermelon Day?
When the year is over, you can use the fold-out poster to remind yourself, “You’re Pure Magic.” Other features include 300 stickers and a storage pocket.

Recommended for preschoolers and up, the Magical Activity Wall Calendar is available from Workman Publishing and has an MSRP of $15.99.

My Infinite Agenda Planner 2020 – Did you know that science proves your goals and dreams are 42% more likely to come true when you write them down? The Infinite Agenda Planner is a vision board to help you achieve these goals.  Available in 4 color designs, Teal & Silver, Blush & Rose Gold, Periwinkle & Silver, or Black & Rose Gold,  this agenda provides monthly calendars, weekly layout schedules, daily goal sheets, and daily goal prompts.

The agenda doesn’t stop there. There are section trackers for gratitude, short-term goals, long-term goals, and wildest dreams. A vision board and monthly infinite winnings pages to track successes. Sometimes it is hard to remember the little wins at life. This planner allows you to have them at your fingertips.  Not only will these planners help you dare to dream, each purchase supports one of the following charities; Sing for Hope, Charity: Water, The Empowerment Plan, and Days for Girls.

The My Infinite Agenda Planner 2020 is available for $58.

Forever Desk Calendar – Would you like a customized desk calendar you never have to replace? That’s the concept behind the forever desk calendar. Made from sturdy paperboard, this calendar has 4 sections; one for pictures, one for the month, and two for dates. Just flip the day, month, or picture, and you’re all set.

The process of creating the calendar is super easy too.  Just upload 12 of your favorite pictures, which takes only a few minutes, and submit. I picked twelve pictures from my travels. Whenever I look at the calendar I am filled with happy memories.  The service was speedy too! In a few days, the calendar arrived at my door. This is a great gift for anyone from grandparents to co-workers.

The Forever Desk Calendar is available through Parabo Press and is $35.

Hope Planner – The Hope Planner is different from traditional planners. It’s designed with two purposes; to help you stay organized and to help with Bible study. This six-month planner doesn’t include printed months or dates,  although it does come with month stickers, allowing it to be used whenever you want to start.

Each section begins with a monthly calendar with spacious boxes to jot down appointments. Next, are two pages of weekly sheets, suitable to write devotions,  and sermon notes (this is a biggie, I always forget to pick up the sermon notes sheet at church!), along with traditional lists or other notes. It’s followed by seven daily plan sheets, with room for scripture and prayers, along with a section for notes and a spot for to-do lists. This planner makes it easy to track all the important activities in my life.

The Hope Planner is available through Hopefuel and retails for $34.

For Relaxing and Reading:

Custom Sherpa Photo Throw– Do you have a family member who has everything? The one who gives them back to you because ‘you need them more than they do?’ I have finally found a gift they will not return. This custom photo throw can be designed using your favorite photos to create a unique, personalized gift.

The creation process is quick and painless. There are several designs from which to choose; single photos, 2 to 4 photos, 5 to 9 photos or 10+ photos. Once you’ve chosen the design, you’ll be prompted to choose the background design and the fabric choice (sherpa, fleece, cozy fleece, or woven image.) You’ll also be able to choose the text for the throw and play around with the design until you find the perfect spot for your photos. Once you have the preview of the throw, it takes only a few steps to complete the order.

I am beyond thrilled with our blanket. It has a soft, cozy feel, the pictures are sharp and vibrant, and it will be a treasured keepsake to pass down through the family. If you are not satisfied with your blanket, although they have a 4.6 rating from almost 26,000 customers, they have a satisfaction guaranteed policy.
The Custom Sherpa Photo Throw is available from Collage.com for $79.99.

Want to discover even more great gifts? Check out our other 2019 Gift Guides:

2019 Holiday Gift Guide