The best books to gift this holiday season offer more than just a good read: Each is an experience, a conversation starter, and a few even make the grade as lifelong keepsakes. Whether you’re shopping for a literature enthusiast, a design lover, a budding host, or a fashion fanatic, this year’s standout books deliver something special for every type of reader.
Lovers of memoir and literary fiction will enjoy Didion & Babitz by Lili Anolik, a compelling comparison of two literary icons; Leslie Jamison’s Splinters, a searingly personal memoir; Sally Rooney’s buzzy, Joyce-inspired Intermezzo; and Plum Sykes’s Wives Like Us, a satirical Austen-meets-Instagram romp. Home entertainers will find endless inspiration in Stephanie Nass’s Swing By, a guide to reimagined gatherings, and Katherine Lewin’s Big Night, packed with modern dinner-party ideas. Interior-design aficionados, meanwhile, will adore Ben Pentreath’s An English Vision, celebrating timeless style, or Patrick Mauriès’s Karl Lagerfeld: A Life in Houses, which takes readers inside the late designer’s iconic homes. And fashion lovers will treasure A24’s How Directors Dress, which examines the interplay between style and filmmaking, while photography fans will revel in Ethan James Green’s Bombshell and Norman Parkinson: Style Photographs for Vogue.
All these and more recommendations, below.
Books for the Discerning Literati
Shopping for a reader with a touch of pretension? They won’t be disappointed by any of the following selections—which just so happen to rank among Vogue’s best books of the year (that is, unless they already own them). Lili Anolik’s Didion & Babitz examines the surprising parallels between Joan Didion’s cool detachment and Eve Babitz’s hedonistic glamour, serving up a dual portrait of two cultural icons. Leslie Jamison’s memoir, Splinters: Another Kind of Love Story, unpacks the emotional transformations of divorce and motherhood with raw, unflinching honesty. Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo follows two brothers navigating grief in Dublin, blending James Joyce–inspired depth with poignant reflections on life’s unpredictability. Finally, Plum Sykes’s Wives Like Us is a witty Austen-esque satire of privilege in the Instagram age.
Cookbooks for Marthas in the Making
So, they streamed the Martha doc and want to become their own homemaking billionaire extraordinaire. Send them straight to the source with Martha Stewart’s Favorite Recipes and Lessons for a Lifetime of Entertaining, which just so happens to be her 100th book! Then there is Stephanie Nass’s Swing By!: Entertaining Recipes and the New Art of Gathering—a chic guide to modern hosting, filled with inventive recipes—and Katherine Lewin’s Big Night: Dinners, Parties, and Dinner Parties, which simplifies hosting with approachable, delicious dishes. Your giftee may also appreciate Ina Garten’s much-talked-about memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Life in Hospitality, a treasure trove of heartfelt advice and juicy personal insights from the Barefoot Contessa herself.
Eye Candy for the Interiors Obsessed
Gorgeous coffee-table books are a foolproof gift idea for the aesthetes in your life. Ben Pentreath’s An English Vision celebrates timeless English interiors, blending classic style with fresh, innovative ideas; Patrick Mauriès’s Karl Lagerfeld: A Life in Houses takes readers inside the late designer’s dazzling dwellings; The Italian Interiors of Elsa Peretti explores the intimate and stylish spaces of the legendary jewelry designer; and Mieke ten Have’s Interiors: Styled by Mieke ten Have provides expert decorating tips inspired by the author’s own gorgeously appointed Duchess County barn.
Books for Fashion Fiends
Trust us, your fashion friends do not need anything else in their wardrobes. Instead, give them something for their bookshelves! It was a good year for fashion books, with the offerings spanning odes to the women who helped build New York’s garment district, the legacy of luxury retailer Henri Bendel, and some of filmdom’s best-dressed directors (think: Sofia Coppola, Hayao Miyazaki, Spike Lee). Finally, Diane Keaton’s Fashion: First is a bold and inspiring reflection on how the accidental fashion icon fashions herself.
Books for Photography Lovers
Where Ethan James Green’s Bombshell gathers striking portraits celebrating modern beauty and identity, Norman Parkinson’s Style: Photographs for Vogue leans into mid-century elegance and glamour. Annie Leibovitz reflects on her storied career in At Work, providing insight into her creative process and some of her most memorable photographs; and Gordon Parks: A Personal Report, 1960–1970 highlights Parks’s groundbreaking work during a transformative decade, combining artistry with profound social commentary.
Art Books for the Exhibitionists
And by exhibitionists, we mean loved ones who love a good art show! This year’s museum catalogs do not disappoint: In Joseph Beuys: In Defense of Nature, Andrea Gyorody explores the visionary German artist’s work, focusing on his environmental activism and artistic philosophy. Paris 1874: The Impressionist Exhibition takes readers back to the groundbreaking first Impressionist show, chronicling the radical artists who helped shape that style. Flight Into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now examines how Black artists have drawn inspiration from ancient Egypt over centuries. And Mickalene Thomas: All About Love showcases the bold and colorful work of one of today’s most celebrated contemporary artists.
Books for Giftees Who Love to Travel
For those who dream of far-off destinations, these travel-inspired books are sure to delight and inspire. Rockhouse: The Book offers a lush journey through the history and allure of that legendary Caribbean retreat. (Notably, proceeds from the book support the Rockhouse Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming and supporting Jamaican schools.) Assouline’s Palm Springs: The Good Life Goes On celebrates the California enclave’s glamour and design—from its mid-century modern architecture to its vibrant, Slim Aarons-lensed social history. Explore America's National Parks Deck by Jonathan Irish takes readers through all 63 U.S. national parks, dropping by landmarks including Old Faithful and El Capitan. Meanwhile, Saint-Tropez Yachting, also from Assouline, transports readers to the French Riviera, exploring the glitz, glamour, and nautical heritage of that luxurious locale.
