“‘Tis the Season: Books to Gift & Share”

    In Iceland, the tradition of gifting books as presents is so deeply rooted that there is a word for the season: Jolabokaflod, the “Christmas Book Flood”  If there was one holiday tradition I would love to import, this would be it.  Finding the perfect book for everyone is such a joyful task, a challenge worth the effort when you get it right.  Though it is highly personal and each book should really be hand-picked (see your local librarians and booksellers…) here is a brief guide to some of the best books for gifting, sharing, or just curling up and reading this season.  ​

For the lit-lover:
“Once Upon a River: a Novel” by Diane Setterfield
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    This historical novel set in 19th century England combines elements of folklore, mystery, scientific curiosity, and magical realism.  The story begins mid-winter at an inn along the river Thames, a man bursts in holding a lifeless child. “Once Upon a River” is a spellbinding novel that is the exquisite work of a masterful, imaginative storyteller. 

For the thinker:
“21 Lessons for the 21st Century” by Yuval Noah Harari
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    “In a world deluged by irrelevant information, clarity is power,” begins this provocative, thoughtful attempt to take on our most pressing problems.  In a look at what is happening in the world, politically, technologically, socially, and existentially, Harari provides a framework of questions to approach the next century with a degree of understanding. ​

For the history-buff:
“History as They Saw It: Iconic Moments From the Past in Color”
by Wolfgang Wild & Jordan Lloyd.

​    Why do we think of history in black and white?  Here is the past in vibrant color, restored to the way it ought to be remembered.  From the Wright brothers’ first flight, to the Titanic, to the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, this is a remarkable book that re-imagines a century.

For inspiration:
​“Walking in Wonder: Eternal Wisdom for a Modern World” by John O’Donohue
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    Out of all the many traditions from this time of year, my favorite, newly discovered one is celebrating winter-solstice with friends gathering around a fire, reading aloud.  A friend read a memorable passage from “Anam Cara” the classic work from this philosopher/poet/theologian from County Clare, Ireland. Jon Kabat-Zinn describes it best: "What O'Donohue could do with words simultaneously baffles, delights and soothes the heart."

For the traveler:
​“Epic Hikes of the World” by Lonely Planet

    This book will have you poring over the pages dreaming up your next adventure. It features 50 amazing hikes, in 30 different countries, with maps, photos, and route descriptions - enough for a lifetime of exploring. 

For the young reader:
“Louisiana’s Way Home” by Kate DiCamillo

​    I will read anything Kate DiCamillo writes; the two-time Newbery Medalist never disappoints with her stories for younger readers.  Her latest, finely-crafted tale follows 12 year old Louisiana Elefante through an unforgettable fable about grace, hardships, and discovery.

​For the young naturalist:
​“The Lost Words” by Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris.
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    “Once upon a time, words began to vanish from the language of children. They disappeared so quietly at first almost no one noticed - fading away like water on stone. The words were those that children used to name the natural world around them: acorn, adder, bluebell, bramble, conker - gone!”

This beautifully illustrated book would be the perfect gift for anyone who loves the natural world, and wants a starting place to summon back these lost words.  ​

​- Nathan Child

A version of this review originally appeared in the Aspen Daily News on December 21, 2018