If you are anything like me, books are a huge source of joy in your life and thus, make excellent gifts. As you begin your holiday shopping I wanted to offer up a few of my recent favorite reads. If you don’t see anything on this list that appeals to the people in your life, (or to you, because you deserve some bookish gifts too!) just comment below with what you are looking for and I’ll respond with some more suggestions! Time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year is short, so let’s get right to it!

Books for Tweens and Teens

As you may or may not know, I run a YouTube channel (Learning with the Word Nerd) for the target audience of middle school readers, classrooms and teachers. So it isn’t a huge surprise that I read a lot of KidLit. If you’ve got some tween or early teen readers on your shopping list, here is what I’d recommend. (Side note: KidLit is FANTASTIC and I’d highly recommend these books for everyone age 10 and up… even adults!)

Bomb (Graphic Novel/Nonfiction)

For the history lovers in your life! This covers the fascinating and frightening true story of the creation behind the most destructive force that birthed the arms race and the Cold War. Starting in December of 1938, when a chemist in a German laboratory makes a shocking discovery, continuing through the work done by Oppenheimer and his team at Los Alamos to make the bomb, and following a commando force slipped behind enemy lines to attack German heavy-water manufacturing facility to thwart other countries’ progress with their own bomb… Steve Sheinkin pulls readers in, teaches them all the things and doesn’t let them go until the very end. There is both a graphic novel and narrative nonfiction version of this book. Both are fantastic (and award winning!).

Personally, I’d buy both versions and read them simultaneously! Graphic novel version first, then NonFiction to fill in a few more facts. If you want to listen to the first chapter and hear a bit more about this 2 book companion set, head to this video on my YouTube channel. If you’re ready to buy, you can purchase it here.

Chapter 1 Read Aloud Video of Bomb and Purchase Links Graphic Novel/NonFiction

A World Below and All Thirteen

If you’ve got a reader on your hands who loves a good survival story, then I’d highly recommend A World Below by Wesley King. This books starts with an 8th grade field trip to the Carlsbad Caverns and quickly goes wrong when an earthquake hits, sending the kids plunging into the below-cave river that carries them far, far from the entrance. Things only get more complicated (and interesting!) from there! The twists and turns of the path they must travel are accompanied by unexpected finds (including a lost civilization, bioluminescent plants and a dangerous creature. If you’d like a real-life version of a case survival story, check out, All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat, which is about the Thai soccer team that was suddenly stranded in a cave when monsoon rains flooded it. (Confession: I was only able to read this one because I already knew it’s ending - thanks to international news!) Both stories are a compelling testament to courage and friendship and would make excellent gifts!

Chapter 1 Read Aloud Video of A World Below and Purchase Link

Chapter 1 Read Aloud Video of All Thirteen and Purchase Link

Let it Glow

If you are looking for something holiday-themed, this co-written novel (by Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy) is PERFECT! Let it Glow is about identical twins separated at birth, who meet each other while trying out for a holiday pageant. They plan to keep each-other a secret from their adoptive families until the big night of the pageant. Along the way they decide to switch homes (parent trap style) so Aviva can learn about Christmas and Holly can learn about Hanukkah. Fun and festive, heart-warming and full of holiday cheer… you can’t go wrong with this one! Grab your copy at Barnes and Noble (that’s where I got mine!) or here.

Explorers Academy: Nebula Secret

Written for travel lovers, nerdy science kids, and puzzle solvers, this adventurous read takes you on a wild ride, all around the world! A diverse cast of characters are accepted into a highly competitive Explorer Academy where they will train with the world's leading scientists to become the next generation of great explorers. The main character’s family has connections to the Academy as well as a troubling past, both of which attack him nearly the moment he walks in the door. In the midst of codebreaking and cool classes, new friends and augmented reality expeditions, Cruz must tackle the biggest question of all: Who is out to get him, and why? In addition to being a great story by Trudi Trueit, this production quality of this book (the first-ever fiction book from National Geographic) is off the charts cool. Thick paper, rich color illustrations, maps and more. A perfect book to give as a gift. This book is the first in a series of 7 so if your reader likes it, you’ll have even more ready-do-go books to buy them! Listen to chapter 1 here and then grab your copy!

Books for Grown Ups

The Small and the Mighty

It is likely that you have already heard of this book. In the wake of the election, Sharon McMahon has become a buoy of calm and common sense. Nicknamed, “America’s Government Teacher”, Sharon has been educating her social media followers about the intricacies of government class we might have forgotten since high school. How does Congress actually work? Why are there term limits? With her podcast, Here’s Where it Gets Interesting, and her social media accounts, Sharon teaches us all, one unbiased, fact based lesson at a time. It is no surprise that when her book, The Small and the Mighty, about 12 unknown Americans and their contributions to our country, came out this fall, it skyrocketed to the #1 slot on the New York Times Bestseller list. Sharon believes that every person can make a difference and if you could use a little of that enthusiasm in your world (despite the dark rhetoric and doom and gloom that seems to attack us from every side!) then this book will be perfect for you or for the history-interested/politically curious, person in your life.

The Briar Club

Written by Kate Quinn, this historical fiction novel that weaves the lives of 5 female boarding house residents is perhaps my most favorite of all the books I have read this year. (And that’s saying something, because as we approach the end of the year, I am nearing book #50! It takes place during the 50’s in Washington, D.C. Amidst the Red Scare, 5 women from very different walks of life, come together for weekly dinners that lead to deep friendships. “When a shocking act of violence tears the house apart, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: who is the true enemy in their midst? Capturing the paranoia of the McCarthy era and evoking the changing roles for women in postwar America, The Briar Club is an intimate and thrilling novel of secrets and loyalty put to the test.” By this point in the blog post you shouldn’t be surprised that I love history. It was fun to learn bits and pieces of 1950’s pop culture and historical references as I was SUCKED into the personal narratives of the characters. If you are looking for a book to whisk you away, I definitely recommend this highly entertaining historical drama! Learn more and get your copy here.

Creating Super Fans

Of all the business and entrepreneur books I’ve read over the years, Brittany Hodak’s Creating Super Fans is my favorite. It is helpful, practical, inspiring and fun. I loved hearing about Brittany’s own journey and thinking about how I could apply her experiences and lessons to my own business (shameless plug: The Word Nerd Collaborative). If you run a business, club, organization, non-profit or do the work of serving others and are looking to do it better, get a copy of this book. You won’t be disappointed. I listened to the audio version while driving, getting ready in the morning, walking, and folding laundry but I might spring for a physical copy and re-read it again so I can underline the nuggets of wisdom and even more fully embrace the concepts Brittany teaches. You can buy a copy here.

Okay! We’ve reached the end of my list! I hope that no matter what you are reading this that all is as well as it can be in your world. It is my sincerest wish that during this hullabaloo of a holiday season you find moments of peace and joy.

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!

~ Amanda (The Word Nerd)

P.S. It might seem strange to you, that as an author, I didn’t recommend my own books. Obviously, I’d love for you to gift those as well. To order personalized and autographed copies, head here.

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Thanks for reading!

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