It's still Thursday so I'm not too late on this week's BTT. It's a tough one for me - you'll see why.
Buy a Friend a Book Week is October 1-7 (as well as the first weeks of January, April, and July). During this week, you’re encouraged to buy a friend a book for no good reason. Not for their birthday, not because it’s a holiday, not to cheer them up–just because it’s a book.
It would really depend on the friend because I've found that buying books for people is like trying to buy clothes. It isn't always the right fit, color, or doesn't suit their taste. I tend to take the easy way out and give gift cards so people can choose the exact right book for them. Actually, I love book shopping so much that gift cards are one of my favorite presents. Maybe I just think everyone else feels the same way.
I do have some books I tend to give in certain situations. For example, I almost always give new parents a copy of Goodnight Moon and Goodnight Gorilla (in board book, of course) because they were family favorites. I also tend to give kindergartners and first graders a few books from a variety of series like Junie B. Jones or Magic Tree House.For adults, I have given my mother-in-law biographies because I know she likes them. I've also given my best friend many mystery novels - normally hand-me-downs - because we have the same taste. She sends me her favorite reads also.
I guess I don't have one adult book I give to everyone. This is a bit of a cop-out, but I really am back to the good ol' gift card.
9 comments:
Gift cards really are ideal, especially if you are someone like me. :-) I have so many books that it's hard for others to know what I already have. If I'm going to buy any of my friends or family members who are heavy readers books, I tend to buy newer ones that they probably haven't bought yet.
No one has ever given me a copy of Good Night Moon. I recently found a copy at a library discard sale.
The Junie B. Jones books are a great idea for gifts. She's such a cute character. :D
Literary - I agree. Newer books are better choices for heavy readers.
Puss - I'm so sorry ... everyone should have a copy of Good Night Moon!
Gift cards is the way to go! Glad to know we share the same thought. :)
I also 'reward myself' with book vouchers using points accumulated and redeemed from credit card expenditures. Just killing two birds with one stone. Hehe...
I'm always ecstatic to receive a gift card from a book store, and I tend to hoard it for a while until I find something really special to buy with it.
I ofen give Goodnight Moon as a baby gift too :)
This week's question was interesting to me because so many of us said basically the same things: it's hard to give books (for many reason); gift cards are a good idea (to give and to receive); and a classic such as Good Night Moon or The Little Prince is a great gift for a new parent.
(It's good to be in the company of readers)
You can't go wrong with gift cards. The ones from B&N or Borders are my favorite gift;-)
Goodnight Moon is a perfect gift for a new baby. My kids are in their teens and still remember this as a favorite bedtime story.
When I taught second grade, the Magic Tree house were the all time classroom favorites. I usually saved my Scholastic bonus points to buy each student one of these at Christmas.
Thanks for visiting my site too. It's great to talk with other folks about children's books.
Donna
I agree that sometimes a gift card is the best thing--especially for something like a book. I also agree that it depends on who is receiving the gift! I love Goodnight Moon and buy that for new parents/children as well.
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