Nov 30

Books Make Great Gifts because …

By Ann Kingman books=gifts. Add comments


Have you downloaded our 2008 Holiday Gift Guide yet? You may find that your holiday shopping just got a bit easier. Click on the image to the left, follow the link above, or look in the right-hand column of the blog sidebar. We’ve gotten some great response — thank you so much to those of you who’ve sent us emails and twitter messages. We’re glad you are finding the Gift Guide to be valuable.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about “value.” The word has so many meanings, and they’ve all been on my mind. The whole “Black Friday” phenomenon here in the U.S. has me baffled. I don’t know when it became its own “holiday”, but I really don’t like it. However, I do recognize that at the root of the madness lies the search for “value”.

I have always believed and still believe that books have the most value of any holiday gift. Most books provide more entertainment for the dollar than a movie, but that’s not really the type of value that I mean. It’s the value of ideas, of imagination, of knowledge, of history. And for many, there is the added value that comes with sharing books and their content with others — talking about them, writing about them, blogging, participating in book groups.

I’m not alone, of course. This year many publishers in the U.S. (including Random House, our employer) have joined together to spread this message wider than ever, though the books=gifts campaign. The highlight of the campaign: this great video, which I have now watched many times. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. After you watch, please tell us in the comments why you think books make great gifts …

  • Dottie R.

    Books are a world which can be opened at any time; they are friends to all and companions to the lonely; books can cheer, bring empathy or sympathy for others to life in the reader’s heart, can instigate action for good towards others on the part of the reader. They can expand one’s mind, heart and life in surprising ways and shared in so many ways.

  • Dottie R.

    Books are a world which can be opened at any time; they are friends to all and companions to the lonely; books can cheer, bring empathy or sympathy for others to life in the reader’s heart, can instigate action for good towards others on the part of the reader. They can expand one’s mind, heart and life in surprising ways and shared in so many ways.

  • http://saveophelia.wordpress.com lena

    Books are probably some of the most personal things to give. it is hard to pin down what even your closest family members will really love when it comes to literature. I think they’re worth it though. I gifted my little sister with Shel Silverstein and sparked a life-long love for books. She’s since branched out to other young adult books. And it gives us something to talk about – it has strengthened our relationship.

    I’ve been making a list of potential books to get for most if not all of the people on my Christmas list.
    :) I even found one for my boyfriend’s father on your gift-guide list.

  • http://saveophelia.wordpress.com lena

    Books are probably some of the most personal things to give. it is hard to pin down what even your closest family members will really love when it comes to literature. I think they’re worth it though. I gifted my little sister with Shel Silverstein and sparked a life-long love for books. She’s since branched out to other young adult books. And it gives us something to talk about – it has strengthened our relationship.

    I’ve been making a list of potential books to get for most if not all of the people on my Christmas list.
    :) I even found one for my boyfriend’s father on your gift-guide list.

  • Karen B-E

    Books are great gifts because everyone I love loves books!

  • Karen B-E

    Books are great gifts because everyone I love loves books!

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Wow, I really love these comments. Thank you!

    Lena – I am taking great pride in the fact that we helped with your boyfriend’s father’s gift! That sounds like a tricky one — glad we could be of assistance.

    Thank you all so much for your support.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

    Wow, I really love these comments. Thank you!

    Lena – I am taking great pride in the fact that we helped with your boyfriend’s father’s gift! That sounds like a tricky one — glad we could be of assistance.

    Thank you all so much for your support.

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