Graphic by Carrie Clowers ’18
BY RENN ELKINS ’20
With the holidays just around the corner, it’s a great time to think about giftable books. After all, they are some of the best and easiest gifts to give: they’re inexpensive, easy to wrap and the variety of selection is just about infinite. Here’s a handful of the most popular books being purchased this season, assembled from the bestseller lists of Barnes & Noble, Amazon and the New York Times.
“ORIGIN” — DAN BROWN
Published in October, “Origin” is the fifth novel in Dan Brown’s explosively successful Robert Langdon series, which began with “Angels & Demons” in 2006 and soared to the bestseller list with the publication of its second installment, “The Da Vinci Code.” Renowned for his masterful execution of intrigue, mystery, pacing, and suspense, Brown has done it again. Though it will be hard to achieve a higher status in the contemporary literary scene than “The Da Vinci Code,” initial reviews for “Origin,” have been positive.
“LEONARDO DA VINCI” — WALTER ISAACSON
Unlike Brown, who uses Da Vinci as a springboard for a conspiracy thriller, Walter Isaacson evaluates the nonfictional life of the man widely considered to be one of history’s greatest artists and scientists. Isaacson is no stranger to this particular genre of biography: he is best known for chronicling the lives of renowned geniuses, including Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein and Benjamin Franklin. Hailed by readers and reviewers as detailed, compelling and thoroughly researched, “Leonardo Da Vinci” is a 600-page narrative of the artist’s life, obsessions, accomplishments and failures.
“THE PEOPLE VS. ALEX CROSS” — JAMES PATTERSON
It’s unsurprising that a James Patterson novel should make its way onto this list, considering the rate at which he produces bestselling books. From hit young adult series “Maximum Ride” to the adult crime series “Women’s Murder Club,” Patterson tends to have a pulp novel for every reader, and “Alex Cross” remains one of his most popular sagas since its first installment in 1993. “The People vs Alex Cross” is the 25th book in the series, and it finds the titular policeman protagonist in one of his trickiest situations yet as Cross himself is put on trial for murder.
“GRANT” — RON CHERNOW
The Pulitzer prize-winning writer Ron Chernow, another renowned biographer, emerged into popular culture in 2015, when Lin-Manuel Miranda’s adaptation of his book “Alexander Hamilton” took Broadway by storm. Though Miranda’s musical gained recognition mainly due to its use of hip-hop and rap to retell the story of the American Revolutionary War, Chernow’s writing is based on research, thoroughness and accuracy. His latest endeavor is a biography of Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War general and U.S. president. Packed with historical detail, his books tend to be massive, and “Grant” is 1104 pages in hardcover.
“WONDER” — R.J. PALACIO
“Wonder,” a heartwarming children’s novel about a boy struggling to be a normal fifth grader in spite of his ostracizing craniofacial disorder, was first published in 2012 but has worked its way back to the bestseller list due to the movie adaptation released this November. It’s never too early or too late to learn that differences are something to be celebrated, not spurned, and Palacio’s tender, first-person narrative is a worthy read not only for its intended middle grade audience, but for anyone in need of a reminder of the importance of love and acceptance.
“HARRY POTTER ILLUSTRATED EDITIONS” — JK ROWLING
If you’re at a loss for what book to give this holiday season, it’s hard to go wrong with “Harry Potter.” It’s difficult to find someone who hasn’t already read Rowling’s enduringly popular, seven-part story –– likely several times over –– but these new editions, fully illustrated in color by Jim Kay, are a worthy supplement to any fantasy fan’s collection. So far, the first three volumes have been released. With the amount of new “Potter” content that’s been coming out in recent years –– the “Fantastic Beasts” movies, the West End play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” and so on –– a return to the original captivating books, now embellished with the magic of illustration, is a welcome reminder of what enchanted Rowling’s readers in the first place.
These are just a few of the hundreds of recent books that have captured the minds and hearts of readers throughout 2017. No matter who you’re hoping to surprise with a holiday gift, there’s no shortage of books to delight them.