Christmas is approaching so we have compiled the top Christmas gifts for 2015 for our avid readers.
It can be hard to pick a book for our beloved bookworms for Christmas so we have taken the hard work out and done it for you. Now you don’t have to just pick the best sellers and hope they’ll like it!
We have read the following books and love them so much as to recommend them.
Top Christmas Gifts for 2015:
Arlene’s Pick:
Mike’s Pick:
Dinh’s Picks:
For those that like audio-books you can give the gift of Amazon’s Audible Gold [Digital Membership]
You can also try Amazon’s Audible Free Trial [Digital Membership]
I hope you like the 12 best books that we have selected for our readers. Please let us know below in the comments what is on your Top Christmas Gifts for 2015.
To see other novels we recommend, please see Book Reviews.
This is a great list! I am a big fan of short stories but struggle to find reviews on this genre. I think in general it is a dying trend and people are more into novels these days! Perhaps you can introduce a section on the same? 🙂
Thanks Dinh , I just love Ken Follett. Is that a new book that is out? I feel like I am behind the times now that I have kids lol. I just don’t get the chance to read very often.
This Christmas my family is coming to stay so maybe just maybe they can look after my kids so I can catch up and try out some of your top Christmas reads.
I’m not familiar with any of those authors other than Ken Follett, just goes to show how I am out of the reading loop lol.
Hi Lynne,
I have not read any of Ken Follett’s work but Arlene loves him so I am sure I will enjoy his books when I get a chance to read one of them. Arlene really enjoyed Night over Water. It’s not his latest book but came out in 1991.
Follett’s latest book is Edge of Eternity (2014) which is part of the Century Trilogy books.
Follett is prolific writer and if you like his writing, I would recommend you to enjoy Night over Water at Christmas time when you have the free time.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting at Arlene’s Book Club!
Hey Dinh,
These are some great books that will and have been enjoyed by many people. I will most definitely try one of these great reads! Thanks for this.
Hi Rashaad,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting on our Top Christmas Gifts for 2015.
I certainly hope that our readers will enjoy these books. They are some of our favorite books. We hope that our readers will try out something that they have not read before and expand their reader sphere.
I hope to see you again at Arlene’s Book Club!
I have read a lot of books in my life. I noticed the game of thrones book and I’ve never read it. I have seen the show however. Does it compare? Most things that I’ve seen in media and read on media on have been very different experiences.
I’m wondering if people who have watched the show with will appreciate this as a gift?
Hi Darren,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I heard about The Game of Thrones on HBO but never watched it and quite by accident decided to check it out whilst I was at the Mahwah library for an event with my kids. I am so glad I checked it out.
The show and the books do not compare at all. I think if you enjoyed the show that you will love the book. This is a great gift to give to anyone who liked the show. They will appreciate the depth of the books. They all are immensely enjoyable and will captivate the reader.
Please do stop by again!
Hi Dinh. Hope you won’t mind but I had to chime in with my opinion of A Game of Thrones by George Martin.
When I first read this book I found it brilliant and staggering in detail. It took be back to the complexities of The Lord of the Rings and was just as difficult to put down.
I’ve watched only the first series of the TV version which covers the first volume of the original trilogy. It’s only in these days of expert CGI that any kind of respectable TV or film version of a fantasy story can be made effectively and the series almost does the book justice.
TV cannot portray everything that’s in a book and this is no exception.
I highly recommend anyone who is into this genre to have The Game of Thrones added to their Christmas list as a lovely surprise.
All the very best and a merry Christmas to everyone.
Andre
Hi Andre,
It’s so nice to hear from you and especially good of you to let me know that you liked ‘A Game of Thrones.’
I am so glad that I read the books first. I had heard from people how good the show was and check out the books first. Thank goodness because the books were fabulous! I can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed the books. I could hardly put them down and read hours straight at a time.
I did watch the show and found it okay and a little disappointing. Of course it was not going to be like the books but I figured I would enjoy more than I did.
I hope our readers get the books in the Song of Ice and Fire series in their Christmas stocking!
Merry Christmas Andre!
Very interesting list! Saved it for a later review!
Hi Antony,
Thank you for dropping by and leaving a comment!
I am happy that you found our Top Christmas Gifts for 2015 very interesting. We do have certain genres that each of us prefer but we all can agree whether the book is good or not.
Please do stop by again!
I haven’t read any of these books – I was thinking about game of thrones, but is this the first one? As I haven’t started any of them. As I’m not sure which ones to go for – which two would you recommend 1) for someone who has been out of reading for a bit but who enjoys fantasy or suspense (me lol ) and 2) a man who has been reading regularly, who is in his 40’s and likes fantasy and crime mostly but would definitely be open to something new! Thanks
Hi Natalie,
Thank you for your comments and questions.
Since you both like fantasy, I would definitely recommend that both you and your husband read George RR Martin’s Game of Thrones books in order.
The first book of the Song of Ice and Fire series is ‘A Game of Thrones,’ followed by ‘A Clash of Kings,’ then ‘A Storm of Swords,’ next is ‘A Feast of Crows,’ and ‘A Dance with Dragons.’
Martin is working on his next masterpiece and fans like myself just can’t wait!
These books are fantastic and you will enjoy these immensely.
Audible is one of those things I discovered a little over a year ago. It’s really my preferred way to read stuff. I am always working on my business stuff, and I like it much better when my tablet reads to me.
I have read Kite Runner and The Charm School. I really did like those two books. Thanks for this post I will be passing it along to my wife.
Hi Garen,
Thanks for your comments.
I have not tried Audible yet but it’s definitely the way to go if you are doing something around the house. Some people tell me they listen while they’re doing the dishes and I think that’s a great idea- I love it when you can multitask like that.
I am please that you have read 2 of the books that we recommend and enjoyed them.
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Great selection of books!
I want Santa to bring me “All the light we cannot see”. I have been told it’s a good book to read.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for letting me know what Christmas gifts you would like for this year.
I am certain that Santa will bring you “All the Light that we cannot see” if you have been good! 🙂
I am actually in the middle of reading this book and will be recommending it to our viewers. It’s definitely a great book to get for Christmas.
Thanks for stopping by!
The Kite Runner is a great book (& good movie) that I would recommend. I actually heard of the movie first and looked at the book after the movie.
Hi Josh,
Thanks for your comments.
I read the Kite Runner a few years back and fell in love with the story. It’s a really moving book and I loved that I learned a little about Afghanistan.
I didn’t know that there was a movie made but I am not surprised as movies are usually made when the book is very good. I will probably check that out at some point.
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Good list, Dinh! With Game of Thrones, once you start reading the first boon you have to read the others – so gripping! And I don’t know about others but I’m a purist so I can’t bear to watch the TV show now as it starts straying too far from the original story. Thanks again for your picks!
Hi Tina!
I am pleased to hear you say you love that A Game of Thrones as well. I couldn’t stop reading them either once I started the book. I couldn’t put them down and read them one after another in my record speed (late nights and all).
I did watch the HBO series version of it and found it okay. The books are superb and the show cannot compare but I had left enough time to pass between reading the books and then watching the show that it was bearable. Books usually always rule over the shows on T.V. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks so much for the great selection of books.
I had a hard time picking out something for my wife’s gift and now I can definitely choose up. My wife is a teacher in the classroom, do you think it might be a good idea to pick something to give her time off not having to think about school?
Hi Joe,
Thanks for your comments.
I am happy that you like our selection of books. Mike, Arlene and I have similar yet different taste in books and it’s a good mix to bring to our readers.
I am sure your wife would enjoy some distraction from her daily routine of teaching by reading a good book. Our top Christmas gifts for 2015 is a compilation of our favorite books that we think any reader would certainly enjoy but we also have other books that we recommend in our book reviews (https://arlenesbookclub.com/category/book-reviews).
Thanks for stopping by.
The Alchemist, that used to be my favourite book (before I read lots of other different books that became my favourites;) .
I love the simplicity and the depth of it. Such a simple, short story and so many interesting questions raised. It’s a great book for long winter evenings when you have a lot of time on your hands and you can take a break from reading every now and then just to contemplate.
Hi Kams,
Thanks for you comments.
I am glad you read The Alchemist and loved it too. I love this book as well because it make me wonder about things. It’s an inspiring story about self discovery and I adore the simplicity of the book as well.
I like the way Coelho writes. His other works are also very good but The Alchemist is definitely his masterpiece.
Thanks for stopping by!
I like Coelho too, but his books became a bit repetitive with time. I think the two books that really stand out to me are the Alchemist and Veronica decides to die. They are my absolute favourites by Coelho:)
Hi Kams,
I am not surprised that you find his books slightly repetitive after a while. I think it’s because he writes about certain themes and issues and they tend to resonate and sound the same. I haven’t read that many of his books but did find that I had the same sentiment as you on his work.
The Alchemist is by far Coelho’s best novel that I have read. I have not read Veronika Decides to Die yet and will put that to my list….The title intrigues me and I bet it is a poignant book just from knowing the way he writes!
It may be some time before I can get back to his books as there are so many authors I have not read yet.
Thanks for stopping by at Arlene’s Book Club and I hope you have a joyful holiday period.
Hi Dinh, thanks for this list, it’s so handy! You’re right about heading straight for the best sellers and hoping for the best!! As far as I’m concerned, making that list is no guarantee it’s a winner with everyone. I prefer personal recommendations, so well done. I see there are more books to put on my “must read” list!! I love Nelson DeMille but it’s been ages since I’ve read one of his books. I must make a note to look this one up.
Hi Hindy,
I prefer personal recommendations any day of the week. We only recommend books that we like and not because of any other reasons. Sometimes I have gone for a best seller and it has turned out rubbish. But I have found that personal recommendations are usually good.
I really encourage people to try something out of their comfort zone- who knows, may be they like it!
Arlene loves Charm School so she’s the one to ask any questions about it if you have any.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Dinh,
That’s what I call diversity. Beside the alchemist and game of thrones which are my favorites books, I really recommend the joy luck club to those who wants to know the cultural differences between first and second generation of immigrants. It’s really an awesome book. I’m little bit sci-Fic guy, so what do you suggest,which one should i read next?
Enjoy reading it,
Hi Jagulba,
I am happy you like the diversity of our recommended books.
It’s great to know that you also love the 2 of my favorite books- The Alchemist and Game of Thrones. I could only list one of the Game of Thrones book but the others are also on my favorite book list as well. I am looking forward to reading Martin’s new book when it comes out!
Since you also like science fiction books like me and have similar taste in books, I would recommend you to read The Martian by Andy Weir. Here’s the review on our website: https://arlenesbookclub.com/the-martian-book-review
I hope you enjoy The Martian, and please let me know once you have read it what you think!