Today we’re sharing a list of the books we’re thinking of giving this year and perhaps some that we’d like to receive. What about you, readers? Are there books you’re excited about giving or getting?

Kate Flora: I’m looking forward to given some very young people a copy of The Library Lion, since it is a charming book and libraries are my favorite places. I’ve snagged a copy of The Best American Science and Nature Writing for my son. I’m hoping to get a copy of The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook.

Kaitlyn Dunnett/Kathy Lynn Emerson: Since I haven’t done a bit of Christmas shopping this year, not that I’m all that fond of it anyway, assorted relatives are getting copies of my books, the ones published this year. That’s actually quite a haul, considering I had three mysteries traditionally published, two as Kaitlyn and one as Kathy, and self published (or reissued) eight more, six for children ages 8-12 and two nonfiction books in the history/biography category. Books I want? Honestly, I’d just as soon buy them myself. The family can give me cat- or Star Wars-themed doo-dads, the way they usually do. What can I say? Small family. Not all that into Christmas except as a chance to get together and catch up. Gifts aren’t really that big a part of it. especially now that there are no little children to give to. But books, of course, are great gifts to give to anyone all year ’round.

Charlene D’Avanzo: 

Since I’m a scientist, many of my book gifts and requests lean toward nerdy. Don’t tell my husband, but I just got him the brand new 2020 “What It’s Like To Be A Bird” by the famous David Allen Sibley. In the tome Sibley answers questions like Can Birds Smell?” and “Do Robins ‘Hear’ Worms?” plus other most often asked questions about birds we see all the time. On Christmas morning my brother will unwrap “Around the World in 80 Trees” by Jonathan Dori, said to be the “perfect book for tree lovers”. Charlene D’Avanzo

Maggie Robinson: I am doing something very sneaky this year. Not precisely regifting, but toeing the line, LOL. My best friend lives in Virginia, and has cultivated a spectacular garden over the years. As you can imagine, I have gnashed my teeth every spring when she sends me pictures of daffodils when we in Maine still have three feet of snow outside. Her garden has been the setting of several weddings, two of which I’ve attended–one in May and one in October and both absolutely beautiful in terms of seasonal blooming. She grows things I don’t know the names of which would probably die in our climate. I admit I’m jealous, although I wouldn’t like to do all the work; I have enough trouble maintaining my small terraced backyard.

I’m a big fan of the English gardener Monty Don, and have watched many of his shows and special series. He’s so mellow and chill I wish I could invite him and his dogs over for tea. When I saw he had a new book out,  American Gardens, I pounced on that pre-order. The book arrived a few weeks ago, and I saved the box. After I skim through it for inspiration, I’m sending it to a true gardener, my lovely friend Claudia. Sh. Don’t tell her.

John Clark is giving wife Beth Katie’s Way by our own Kathy Lynn Emerson and Barak Obama’s A Promised Land. Daughter Sara is getting a pre-order of The Scorpion’s Tail by Preston and Childs.