All year, I keep my eye out for books that I think will make a perfect holiday gift. These books are as wonderful to look at as they are to read, and something I would love to unwrap for any occasion. And the best part is that all of them are filled to the brim with amazing women writers, photographers, chefs, actresses, artists, and icons! I hope you pick up, read, and love these books as much as I do. - Kendra Winchester, Reading Women Co-founder & Executive Director
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For the Photography Lover
Women: The National Geographic Image Collection
This book of women’s portraits is quite literally breathtaking. The moment I spotted it in the bookstore, I was mesmerized by the cover and didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until I had the book in my hands. I could sit and stare at all of these incredible photos, each image telling the story of a woman’s life—joy, sadness, hope, and determination are all there on these women’s faces. Whether you’re buying for yourself or others, photography professionals or just admirers like myself, this book makes a spectacular gift.
For the Film Buff
Renegade Women in Film and TV by Elizabeth Weitzman
Every year, we see more and more women passed up for nominations in the various categories of film and TV awards. Personally, I often feel defeated. We still have so far to go. But reading Renegade Women in Film and TV reminds me of all the talented women in the industry, both past and present. Women have always been there, working hard in a male-dominated industry. This book celebrates these women and rejoices in their accomplishments!
For the Southern Gal
Southern Women: More Than 100 Stories of Innovators, Artists, and Icons
After living in the American South for over a decade, I can’t help but notice that the general populace continually underestimates and under-appreciates Southern Women. From Reese Witherspoon to Carla Hall, Southern Women shines a spotlight on Southern artists, actresses, chefs, and icons. The moment my copy arrived, I was engrossed by every woman featured in the book’s pages. Beautiful and insightful, I loved every moment of reading this title.
For the Artist
Women in Art: 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
It’s no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Rachel Ignotofsky. In fact, she’s inspired a prompt of the Reading Women Challenge every year since its creation. Her latest book, Women in Art, inspired prompt number 10 in the 2020 challenge: read a book about a woman artist. Like her other titles, Women in Science and Women in Sports, this book features 50 incredible women. There are painters, photographers, and sculptors from around the world. Each spread features a different woman, and is, of course, gorgeously illustrated in Ignotofsky’s singular style. This book is a must for any art lover!
For the Stats Nerd
The Women’s Atlas by Joni Seager
The Women’s Atlas by Joni Seager is the PERFECT gift for anyone in your life that loves all things stats, charts, and graphs. Each page features information on women from all across the world, formatted in a way that’s easy to understand. As a huge stats/graphs nerd myself (but who is also not scientifically inclined), I enjoyed looking through this book and sharing endless “Did you knows?” with my friends and family.
For the Romance Reader
Sumaiyya and I spotted this book a few months ago, and when she finally started it, she immediately messaged me something along the lines of “YOU MUST READ THIS NOW.” If there’s anything that I’ve learned in our 3 1/2 year-long friendship, it’s that if Sumaiyya recommends a book, you read it. This is one of the only non-illustrated titles on the list, but this YA romance will have you hooked from the start. When a Muslim teenager confronts her Islamophobic teacher, the school suspends her. While suspended, she goes on a trip, meets a guy who happens to have MS, and love happens. Sweet, warm, and delightful, this is definitely the positivity that we all need in our lives right now.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Chloe is a self-confident, self-described, fat Black woman with a chronic illness. When she finally moves out of her family’s house, she finds herself making a list of things she wants to experience. Ride a motorcycle, go camping, and travel the world are all on her list, but when she meets Redford “Red” Morgan, she thinks he may be able to help her out with another task on her list: have meaningless and thoroughly enjoyable sex. This warm-hearted romance novel was just what I needed.
For the Foodie
When I’m not reading books or writing about them, I’m cooking or watching/listening to and endless supply of cooking TV shows and podcasts. So when I looked at the books on my gift guide stack, I wasn’t surprised to see several food-related titles. However, I was surprised, and very pleased, to see so many books featured anthologies with women editors—women in food are definitely having a moment, which I hope will turn into the norm. In such a male-dominated industry, women chefs and reviewers face no easy task as they try to find their footing. The following four books each celebrate and honor the mark women have made in the food world.
Beautifully illustrated by Jessica Olah, A Woman’s Place focuses on women throughout history who have changed the way that we eat. Like the subtitle says, these women are everything from rumrunners to single moms, but every one has had a lasting impact on their culture’s cuisine. After reading dozens of illustrated books about women in history, A Woman’s Place is one for which I’ve been waiting, that speaks to me and my food obsession. I hope it speaks to you too.
Recently, I listened to an interview with Dave Chang and Charlotte Druckman where he was asking her about this book and why she wanted to put together an anthology. She said she wanted to feature as many women’s voices and opinions on food as possible. Women on Food does just that. Over 115 women share thoughts and ideas about food, eating, and cooking. Every page feels like I have found an exclusive, food-loving club I was always supposed to belong to. I loved every page and frequently found myself rereading sections.
Eat Joy: Stories and Comfort Food from 31 Celebrated Writers edited by Natalie Eve Garrett
Joy—it’s in the title! That’s exactly how I felt reading this collection of essays. With contributors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Mira Jacob, and Carmen Maria Machado, this book is a must-read for any food lover! It includes dozens of pull quotes and engaging, beautiful illustrations.
The Best American Food Writing 2019 edited by Samin Nosrat
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat is one of my favorite cookbooks of all time, so when I heard Samin Nosrat was editing this year’s edition of The Best American Food Writing, I knew I had to get my hands on it. A great addition to The Best American series, this collection of essays was no disappointment, proving why this series on food writing is always a must-buy for me.
