‘Tis the time of year to give gifts, and we all know that books make the best gifts of all! There’s nothing better than curling up during Christmas break with a new (to you) book and a mug of hot cocoa. So without further ado, here is our official Griffeys’ Book Emporium holiday gift guide for readers of every stripe!

Please note that while all books recommended in this guide are in stock in our store at the time of this writing, our stock does change quite frequently, so we may not have these exact books on hand when you stop by. But we always have a great variety of used books for all ages and interests, so you might find something you love even more!

Gifts for Kids and Teens

The Search for the Scepter by Julie Dinges. A delightful fantasy picture book by an award-winning local author.

The Havalots and The Havalots’ Messy Life by Beth Lynn Barnhill. Two sweet picture books by a local author that teach a message of kindness, along with new words and phrases for young readers.

Bone by Jeff Smith. A series of fantastic graphic novels that delight folks of all ages, not just kiddos!

Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling. A classic choice for young readers.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. An exciting steampunk adventure for teens!

100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons. A sweet YA contemporary romance by an independent author.

Gifts for Creative Souls

The Good Fork Cookbook by Sohui Kim. A beautifully photographed cookbook filled with delicious dishes you’ll want to recreate at once.

A Change of Appetite by Diana Henry. A gorgeous cookbook of healthy eats. I really want someone to buy this just because it is SO beautiful.

In Pursuit of Inspiration by Rae Dunn. A beautiful book chock full of ideas for creating art with whatever is already in your life.

Stickers from Turtle’s Soup. Beautiful and adorable stickers make the perfect gift to adorn your creative friend’s journal, sketchbook, or laptop.

Or check out our Crafts section for books on knitting, drawing, and more!

Gifts for Genre Readers

For the sci-fi fan: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. A recent novel from the highly acclaimed author of The Martian.

For the western fan: A collectable leather-bound Louis L’Amour book. We have several of these beautiful collectable hardcovers, including a couple of hard-to-find volumes (Valley of the Sun and May There Be A Road.)

For the thriller fan: Unsanctioned Eyes by Brianna Merritt. A suspenseful indie thriller about a ruthless assassin who realizes she might not be on the right side…

For the romance fan: A collectable/signed Nicholas Sparks book. We have five collectable Nicholas Sparks books on hand, including a first edition of The Notebook and signed first edition copies of The Longest Ride, The Wedding, The Guardian, and the memoir Three Weeks with My Brother.

Gifts for the Aesthetic Friend

Cosy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith. A beautifully designed book about making your home cozy without the clutter.

Gracelaced by Ruth Chou Simons. Even the author’s name is pretty! This stunning devotional book is full of gorgeous watercolor illustrations alongside the truth and beauty of the scriptures.

Secret Midnight Press poetry books. Lovely local poetry books from a Columbus-based small press.

c. 1917 Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes. A lovely vintage volume full of delightful illustrations that would look pretty on any shelf!

Or ask us about our other rare and vintage books!

Unique Finds

Original theatrical VHS tapes of the Star Wars trilogy. A vintage VHS collection that’s sure to delight any hardcore Star Wars fan in your life! Featuring Episode IV under it’s original title (just Star Wars instead of A New Hope); a little piece of Star Wars history.

Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc by Mark Twain, first edition. If you really want to splurge on a gift! This beauty is a 1896 first edition, first printing Mark Twain and would make a super special gift to a collector friend or rare book enthusiast.

Finally, don’t forget to complete your gift with a lovely locally-made card from Gem Garden Arts!

And remember, this Saturday is our Local for the Holidays Market, featuring 10+ local vendors, makers, and artisans with even more delightful gifts so you can do your Christmas shopping locally and all in one place! We’d love to see you there.