For the first time in I don’t know how many years, I’m not asking for a book for Christmas. I know, I know. Totally weird. But the truth is, I’ve read a ton of great books this year, and I have quite the stack to take me into 2020. That’s not to say that someone couldn’t give me a book, if he or she really wanted to. I’m just saying I’m not explicitly asking.

I do believe, though, that books make great gifts. I also think seeing a book for yourself, getting an idea of its heft, its texture, and so on, can help in making a decision about buying it for yourself or someone you love. So that’s why I’ve not only compiled the list below, but also created a video in which I talk about 20 books and a literary journal that I would highly recommend gifting or asking for this time of year.

If you’ve read these or have any on your list, please leave a comment to let me know!

Links are Amazon or Blessed Is She affiliate links. Any purchases made through these links provide me with a small commission, at no additional cost to you. They will help support my family and my ministry, so thank you in advance!

Happy reading and happy gifting!

1. Nightime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta, art by Ed Young
2. Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke
3. Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
4. Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Zachariah OHora
5. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
6. The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart
7. The Complete Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, illustrated by Pauline Baynes
8. Rise Up: Shining with Virtue, published by Blessed Is She
9. The Catholic All Year Compendium: Liturgical Living for Real Life by Kendra Tierney
10. Theology of Home: Finding the Eternal in the Everyday by Carrie Gress, Noelle Mering, and Megan Schrieber, photography by Kim Baile
11. Be Brave in the Scared: How I Learned to Trust God During the Most Difficult Days of My Life by Mary Lenaburg
12. When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People by Jeannie Gaffigan, foreword by Jim Gaffigan
13. Why We Write: 20 Acclaimed Authors on How and Why They Do What They Do edited by Meredith Maran
14. This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
15. Daily Companion for Married Couples by Allan F. Wright
16. Raising Catholic Kids for Their Vocations by John and Claire Grabowski
17. On the Edge of Infinity: A Biography of Michael D. O’Brien by Clemens Cavallin
18. Together: A Memoir of a Marriage and a Medical Mishap by Judy Goldman
19. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell: A Novel by Robert Dugoni
20. The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

What books are you asking for this year? Let me know in the comments! (Or just tell my husband, so he can shop for me.)