It’s the most wonderful time of year … to gift your friends and family a great book.
As Christmas and Hanukkah quickly approach, Page Six editors are looking back at some of their favorite reads for gift inspiration.
Whether you’re looking for a moving memoir or blockbuster best seller, our round-up has the perfect present for every friend and family member.
“This is a rare book because it tells a story, and it also is a story — the work itself a triumphal arc, the real-life resolution of its own central conflict. In ‘How To Lose Your Mother’ political commentator Molly Jong Fast tells the story of her life with her mom, ‘Fear Of Flying’ author Erica Jong, their dark double act dominated by the mother’s romances, narcissism, fame, force of personality and, perhaps most weightily of all, her storied career. The story in the book sees Molly step out from beneath much of that pall. But in the book itself — in its vibrating, funny, gracefully profound prose — we see Molly step page by page into her place, not under, but next to her mother on the literary landscape.” — Oli Coleman, Page Six Deputy Editor
“The latest prequel in the ‘Hunger Games’ series is here, this time following Haymitch Abernathy (expertly played by Woody Harrelson in the original films) as he competes as a tribute. The action-packed story stands alone, but provides lots of extra depth to themes explored in Suzanne Collins’ other Panem-set stories if you’ve read them. A star-studded film adaptation featuring Glenn Close and Ralph Fiennes is due in theaters November 2026, so it’s the perfect time to pick this one up.” — Katcy Stephan, Page Six Media Reporter
“I know this book was on every must-read list last year and I was late to the party, but it ended up being the best thing I read in 2025. If you’ve been putting it off or ignoring those lists, take this as your sign to finally pick it up — and maybe grab a few extra copies while you’re at it. You’ll want to gift it to everyone you know once you’re done.” — Lindsey Kupfer, Page Six Deputy Editor
“Lisa Jewel is the queen of thrillers so it was no surprise when I flew through her latest read, a domestic suspense page-turner that kept me hooked from beginning to end. With short chapters and intriguing, intertwined characters, I can’t see anyone not devouring it in just a few sittings. It’s going to be the perfect book to gift this holiday season to all the thriller fans in my family.” — Nicole Mazza, Page Six Deputy Photo Editor
“Mostly everything Emmanuel Carrère writes is worth reading – especially ‘V13.’ The French writer spent ten months attending the trial for the 20 men accused in the 2015 Paris attacks. Through the lens of a journalist, Carrère astutely captures the human condition — good versus evil — in a narrative reporting style detailing the victims, the perpetrators and understanding the attacks.” — Kyle Schnitzer, New York Post Reporter
“I had the pleasure of interviewing Hoda recently for our holiday gift guide series, and she’s such a ray of light. She gives great advice on manifesting your best life, so I’m really excited to read her latest book. It would make a great gift for anyone who could use a little inspiration this holiday season!” — Hannah Southwick, Page Six Associate Editor
“My best friend is a huge ‘Harry Potter’ fan and recommended this book to me, and now I’m paying it forward this holiday season. What started as ‘Harry Potter’ fan fiction turned into an emotional story about the aftermath of war and trauma, and what it means to be a survivor.” — Antoinette Bueno, Page Six Reporter
“We’ve all seen the enchanting Audrey Hepburn movie, but Truman Capote’s sparkling wit on the page is truly its own gift. In addition to Holly Golightly’s wistful, eccentric tale, the book includes short stories ‘House of Flowers,’ ‘A Diamond Guitar,’ and ‘A Christmas Memory,’ which make it a perfect light read for a holiday vacation.” — Audrey Rock, Page Six Reporter
“In her posthumous memoir, Eleanor Coppola — wife of director Francis Ford Coppola and mother of Sophia and Roman Coppola — recalls her doomed attempts to balance her own hopes of living life as ‘an adventure’ against her husband’s wish for her to be ‘very traditional wife, happily devoted to caring for our children, creating a nice home, and supporting his career’ — and how her battle with cancer finally allowed her to pry herself from her roles as a wife and mother.” — Oli Coleman, Page Six Deputy Editor
“What would you do if you woke up one day and found yourself stuck in the same day? That’s what Tara Selter, the protagonist in Solvej Balle’s ‘On the Calculation of Volume,’ has to weigh every day as she tries to find distance in the repetition she’s stuck in on November 18th. The third installment, released this year, continues the protagonist’s journey through time and isolation as she finds a way to continue on in a world where few are actually moving with her.” — Kyle Schnitzer, New York Post Reporter
“Earlier this year, I completely devoured this nonfiction look into the Disney empire during the 2000s. Filled with interviews and behind the scenes tea, it’s the perfect read for all my friends equally obsessed with early Disney stars from the ‘Mickey Mouse Club’ to ‘Hannah Montana.’ It’s absolutely a must read (or listen, the audiobook is also fab!) for all pop culture obsessed fans!” — Nicole Mazza, Page Six Deputy Photo Editor
“This whimsical coffee table book is such a fun present. It puts a high-fashion spin on the dreaded cone, with the help of 60 cute canine models from the Tri-State area. From a basset hound adorned with balloons to a Shiba Inu decked out in pool noodles, there’s something for every dog lover.” — Hannah Southwick, Page Six Associate Editor
“I absolutely love anything related to Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ so when I heard about this book, which follows the often overlooked Mary Bennet, I knew I had to read. The first half follows Mary as the events of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ unfold and the second half is what happens to the unmarried sister following the death of her father. I absolutely adored this story. Justice for Mary Bennet!” — Lindsey Kupfer, Page Six Deputy Editor
“David Sedaris is a master of the self-effacing and sardonic. His collection of six holiday-themed essays and short stories peaks with ‘SantaLand Diaries,’ which hilariously chronicles the humorists’ experiences working as an elf at a department store during the holiday shopping season.” — Audrey Rock, Page Six Reporter
“Perfect for the history buff in your life, ‘Ghosts of Hiroshima’ focuses in part on the harrowing true story of a Japanese man who lived through two atomic bombings during World War II: after surviving the explosion in Hiroshima, he took a train to Nagasaki where he endured another blast. Author Charles Pellegrino previously served as a science consultant for Oscar-winning director James Cameron on the films ‘Avatar’ and ‘Titanic,’ and that collaboration will continue as Cameron is set to adapt ‘Ghosts of Hiroshima’ into a feature film.” — Katcy Stephan, Page Six Media Reporter
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