A book is rarely the most expensive gift you can get someone. Sure, you can give somebody a first edition, and that is an entire thing unto itself.
But when you just gift somebody a book simply because you think they will enjoy reading it, you’re making a powerful statement. You are saying things about the receiver of the gift, but also about yourself.
Books are very flexible as gift objects. I like to give books to help celebrate a friendship that is doing well, but also as a balm when a friendship is in trouble.
Of course the book itself is not the true gift. The true gift is the thought and care that went into choosing just the right book.
Assuming, of course, that the recipient knows how to read between the lines.
Way back in college, I got a book as a wedding gift for some friends. It was a beautiful coffee table book featuring the art behind classic Disney animations.
My mom was horrified. A book is not the sort of thing one finds in the department store gift registry for weddings.
However, when a Disney-themed thank you card came back (after my friends’ Disney World honeymoon), I knew I’d made the right choice.
I’m so glad to hear we have had similar experiences. It’s a small world after all.