Get Ready to Celebrate December!

Schedule e-Gift Cards and peruse the month's most giftable books

Got any December-born friends and family to celebrate this month? Or just gift shopping for the season? Treat your loved ones to a bookish celebration! Choose something special for your December darlings from our roundup of some of the hottest titles of the month, like Fallen Gods, the first in a new romantasy series from bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken. Orders are piling up for the stunning Deluxe Limited Edition with sprayed edges.

New December-specific e-Gift Card design!

If you'd prefer to go with ThriftBooks e-Gift Cards for your offerings, choose from an assortment of fun designs, including our new month-specific birthday e-gift cards to be delivered on the day of your choosing. Purchase now and schedule for delivery on your recipient's special day. The process is quick and easy. This is a great way to get all your monthly birthday, Christmas, or Hanukkah shopping done in one fell swoop!   

December's best gifting books

Here are some of the reads that are currently getting rave reviews from a range of readers.

Fiction finds

• Brimstone by Callie Hart—In the second book in the bestselling Fae & Alchemy series, Saeris and Fisher face a new set of dangers.
• The Widow by John Grisham—The acclaimed master of the legal thriller returns with his first-ever whodunit. Simon Latch is a small-town lawyer racing to clear his name after being accused of murder.
• The Correspondent by Virginia Evans—An intimate novel about the transformative power of the written word and the beauty of slowing down to reconnect with the people we love.
• Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree—Return to the fantasy world of the bestselling Legends & Lattes series with a new adventure featuring fan-favorite, foul-mouthed bookseller Fern.
• August Lane by Regina Black—For fans of Beyonce's Cowboy Carter, this bestselling Southern small-town romance has been named as a New York Times notable book for 2025.

Nonfiction gems

• Simply More by Cynthia Erivo—In this vulnerable and enlightening book, the globally renowned star of Wicked shows us how to embrace being "too much" and to live up to the fullest iteration of ourselves.
• The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson—The bestselling biographer reveals the origins and importance of the most revolutionary sentence in the Declaration of Independence.
• Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre—The late activist and advocate for sex-trafficking survivors offers an unsparing and definitive account of her time with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
• 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin—From the New York Times journalist and CNBC host comes a riveting narrative of the most infamous stock market crash in history.
• 100 Rules for Living to 100 by Dick Van Dyke—On the eve of his 100th birthday, the iconic entertainer brings us this autobiographical collection of stories, reflections, and advice for living a happy life.

Winsome picture books

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! by Mo Willems—The hilarious Pigeon sets his sights on driving Santa's sleigh. (Ages 3–5)
• Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet—The story of the master puppeteer who invented the first balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Ages 4–7)
• The Humble Pie by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald—Humble Pie likes to keep a low profile but realizes that sometimes you must speak up for yourself. (Ages 4–8)
• The Littlest Yak by Lu Fraser, illustrated by Kate Hindley—A little yak yearns for big things in this rollicking, rhyming story celebrating individuality and the importance of not growing up too fast. (Ages 4–8)
• Christmas at Hogwarts by JK. Rowling—Harry Potter celebrates his first Christmas at Hogwarts in this heartwarming picture book addition to the beloved series. (Ages 4–8)

Middle-grade goodies

• Dragonborn by Struan Murray—The secret world of dragons is waiting for you. An astonishing new fantasy series takes flight in this soaring, action-packed adventure. (Ages 8–12)
• Busted by Dan Gemeinhart—When 12-year-old Oscar Aberdeen decided he would do anything to save the only home he's ever known, he had no idea it would be so dangerous . . . or so fun. (Ages 8–12)
• Outside by Jennifer L. Holm—From a three-time Newbery Honor winner, a chilling but heartfelt story of a girl being raised in a compound and what happens when she encounters the outside world. (Ages 9–12)
• Finding Lost by Holly Goldberg Sloane—A stray dog leads to major change for Cordy and her grieving family in this heartwarming novel by the beloved author of Counting by 7s. (Ages 9 and up)
• Coach by Jason Reynolds—Book #5 in the award-winning Track series introduces readers to Coach as a young boy striving to become a track star while facing upheaval at home. (Ages 10–13)

YA winners

• The Way Things Work: Newly Revised Edition by David Macaulay—This updated classic examines at how technology impacts our lives. (Ages 10 and up)
• The Weaver Bride by Lydia Gregovic—A sweeping fantasy about a witch who must navigate a ruthless marriage competition. (Ages 12 and up)
• Eternal Ruin by Tigest Girma—As devastating secrets resurface from the past and war looms, Kidan and her sister, June, must confront each other in this paranormal fantasy. (Ages 13–17)
• The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer—The "Queen of Fairytale Retellings" weaves the tale of Bluebeard as it's never been told before in this thrilling romantasy murder mystery. (Ages 14–18)
• The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel by Maggie Stiefvater and Stephanie Williams—A gorgeously illustrated adaptation of the first book from The Raven Cycle series. (Ages 14 and up)

Culinary keepers

• The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes by Ree Drummond—The newest blockbuster cookbook from the ultimate home cook features 120 of her greatest hits, new twists, and perfected classics.
• Something From Nothing by Alison Roman—For easy, straightforward dishes that still impress, this guide offers 100 deceptively simple, casually stylish, impossibly delicious recipes that make the most of your pantry.
• Let's Party by Dan Pelosi—In his second cookbook, the "hostess with the mostest" dishes out more than 100 of his larger-than-life recipes, organized into sixteen distinct dinner parties taking the guesswork out of what to serve with what.
• Fat + Flour: The Art of a Simple Bake by Nicole Rucker—Famed for her rustic desserts, homespun pies, and unique flavor combinations, the "pastry queen" offers a fuss-free, downright delicious collection of recipes.
• Salsa Daddy by Rick Martinez—The James Beard Award-winning author of the bestselling? Mi Cocina returns with a collection of 70+ salsas and 24 easy meals in this fun-loving introduction to the joy of Mexican cooking.

Special editions

• Mindworks by Neal Shusterman—From the incomparable mind of the bestselling author of the Arc of a Scythe series, comes a collection of uncanny and unforgettable short stories in a Deluxe Signed Edition featuring stenciled sprayed edges.
• Duke by Jessica Peterson—One chance meeting on a Texas ranch. One wildly charming cowboy. One snowed-in night that changes everything. Get the Deluxe Limited Edition of book #4 in the Lucky River Ranch series.
• Nocticadia by Keri Lake—A dark, atmospheric tale of deadly secrets and forbidden love. This hardcover repackage of the TikTok sensation includes gorgeous designed edges, foil, spot gloss, and an inside cover design.
• Sweet Venom by Rina Kent—Book #2 in the Vipers series is a dark hockey romance set in a glamorous secret world. This Deluxe Edition comes with foiling, printed edges, and exclusive art.
• The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty—Outlander meets The Princess Bride in this fresh, big-hearted, feminist adventure reimagining the saga of King Arthur from the perspective of his spunky queen, Vera.

Happy, happy birthday to all the December babies! Whether you're celebrating a loved one or yourself, we hope you find something perfect here at ThriftBooks to bookify the occasion!

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon