Holiday Book Gift Guide for the Career Girl Who Doesn’t Have Time to Shop

As the days get shorter and your workload gets heavier, we know how difficult it is to handpick gifts for all of your family and friends. The one gift everyone will love this year? A brand-new book. If you’re looking to do all of your holiday shopping online this year, these are the books you’ll want to add to your virtual shopping cart.

Here’s the Ms Career Girl holiday book gift guide for 2018:

For the hopeless romantic:

The Memory of You by Jamie Beck

Steffi Lockwood has just returned to the town she used to call home, picking up a renovation business with her friend as a way to distract herself from the complicated parts of life. But when she runs into Ryan, the man she left behind years ago, she’ll find that she still has a chance at finding real love. As the two find their way back to one another, they’ll come to find that the time spent apart has been troublesome for both of them and the secrets they’re withholding could break the fragile relationship they’ve rebuilt. The Memory of You is a sweet  romance that hopeless romantics will quickly fall for.

For the males in your life:

What Have You Done by Matthew Farrell

In Matthew Farrell’s What Have You Done, forensics specialist Liam will be put through the ride of his life that will have dangerous consequences for everyone involved. Arriving on the scene of a grisly murder, Liam quickly identifies the victim as a woman he once had an affair with. Unable to remember where he was and what he was doing the night the murder was committed, Liam’s reputation and morality will be questioned by everyone around him… including his own brother. A thriller about two brothers, an epic mystery and hidden secrets, this novel will keep the males in your life busy until New Years.

 For the busy mom who needs an excuse to take a break:

One Minute to Zen: Go From Hot Mess to Mindful Mom in One Minute or Less by Ali Katz

With the ever-changing political climate, stress at work and the demands of motherhood, Ali Katz knows that women everywhere, moms especially, need some time to decompress before the beginning of a new year. In this new book, Katz teaches moms techniques that will improve their lives, lower stress levels and leave them feeling like they have a sense of balance in their life. Loaded with personal stories from the author’s real life, she blends story with self-help to bring families closer together and give moms a piece of mind when they need it most.

For the mindful woman:

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama shares intimate details of her life in her bestselling debut memoir. Recounting her early days in Chicago, the ways in which she became a businesswoman and her days in the White Hosue, Becoming has quickly become a must-read book of 2018. With stories of motherhood, marriage and hardship, Mrs. Obama inspires her readers to follow their dreams and do what others say they can’t. If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for the woman who always has others in mind, you can be sure they’ll love this memoir.

For the thriller junkie:

The River Widow by Ann Howard Creel

This thrilling historical fiction novel from Ann Howard Creel tells the story of Adah, a strong woman who accidentally kills her abusive husband and then finds herself on the run from his family who is determined to avenge his death. Taking her stepdaughter with her, the two plan to leave town and get as far away as possible but when Adah finds a new potential for love, she’ll have to decide between the life she wants and the life she needs to provide for her remaining family. If you have a thriller junkie in your life, The River Widow will be the perfect addition to their bookshelf this year.

For the sports lover:

Never Shut Up: The Life, Opinions, and Unexpected Adventures of an NFL Outlier by Marcellus Wiley

Ex-NFL player Marcellus Wiley has witnessed struggle and growth throughout his extensive career in the sports industry. Growing up in Compton with all odds bet against him, Wiley quickly learned that if he wanted to be successful, it was up to him to make it happen. Discussing the problematic ways of the NFL, the violence in the neighborhood that he grew up in and more, Never Shut Up gives sports fans an inside look at the industry they have grown to love. For the football fans and sports enthusiasts in your life, this memoir is one that will grab their attention and inspire their new year.

For the girl who needs a good cry:

 Boot Language: A Memoir by Vanya Erickson

Vanya Erickson didn’t have it easy growing up. Having to take care of herself due to her mother’s neglect and a father fighting withdrawal and the aftermath of his service in World War II. Finding a connection to nature, Erickson found her own path to success at a young age and in Boot Language, she begins to make amends with her past and the ways in which her family’s failures shaped her into the woman she is today. Like any good memoir, Erickson’s debut book provides readers with a message of hope that despite the struggles of life, you are responsible for your own success.

For the young ones:

The Circus Thief by Alane Adams

Alane Adams is back this holiday season with a picture book that the children in your life will adore. Continuing the epic adventures of 1920s Georgie, The Circus Thief details a visit to the circus that the young boy will never forget. Amazed at show horse Roxie, Georgie is delighted to meet the horse and ride on her back. But when he learns that Roxie will soon be sent to a work farm, Georgie’s dad makes a huge sacrifice for his young son. This children’s book is a great addition to the numerous toys and gadgets young kids will be receiving this year.

For the person who loves a good Netflix binge:

I’ll Be There For You: The One About Friends by Kelsey Miller

Take a trip back to the early days of Friends with this insightful book about one of the world’s favorite throwback comedies. There’s no doubt that the cast of Friends made an impact on the lives of young adults in the mid-90s but with the success of streaming services, fans of the show have grown extensively since the early 2000s. Delving into the positive messages of the show, the impact it had on its viewers and its portrayal of friendship, I’ll Be There For You makes the perfect gift for loved ones who enjoy getting caught up in a weekend Netflix binge.

For the social justice warrior:

First Comes Marriage: My Not-So-Typical American Love Story by Huda Al-Marashi

The idea of what it is to truly be American is well represented in this new book from Huda Al-Marashi, making it a light but impactful read for the social justice warriors in your life.  Having met the boy that would one day become her future husband when she was only six years old, Huda has always known that their culture’s version of love and marriage is different than that of America’s love stories. Now a grown woman, Huda can’t stop thinking about what her ideal marriage would look like and the ways in which she wishes she could have a conventional relationship with the man she will soon marry. As she navigates the murky waters of love across two different cultures, she finds that following her Muslim upbringing and growing a love that feels authentic will be harder than she expected.