Top 10 Reasons You Should Give BOOKS for Christmas

10. Books are inexpensive entertainment. It's a slow economy. People are scaling back. Why pay for a movie when you could snuggle up on the sofa on a Friday night with a good book? Then, you can pass it on and someone else can do the same. You can't exactly do that with a tie.
9. Books are an escape. We can't all whisk off to a tropical island in the dead of winter. So let books take your family and loved ones to new and exotic places. You can even escape to a different place in time. Lose yourself in a Revolutionary War-era love story, a turn-of-the-century murder mystery in England, or a futuristic space drama. A pair of socks can't give you the same experience.
8. Books educate. Maybe this seems too obvious, but we are all improved by learning. I heard the CEO of a company once talk about a study at the HBS. They found that 99% of workers who received promotions, raises, and leadership positions in their places of business read at least one book a month. Coincidence? 99% is a powerful number. Doesn't that sound better than an itunes gift card?
7. Books help us grow. Books help us to see other lifestyles, other careers, other communities up close. Now they might be fiction, but in most cases, the author has done his or her homework. More than a few people have found their dream jobs (or dream lifestyles) from a story that planted the idea. Can you do that with a video game?
6. Books grow relationships. You read a book, you love it, you pass it to a friend. Your friend loves it. You have a springboard for conversations, you can talk about topics you'd never otherwise broach because, well, it was in the book! Sharing a book adds a new level of intimacy and bonding to a relationship. Or you can get her a sweater.
5. Books make us laugh. I recently read a book that I never would have picked up, but a kind old man in the bookstore convinced me to buy it. (okay, he was actually a pushy old man, but anyway) It was hilarious. I laughed out loud, read it out to my husband, he laughed out loud. That book transformed our evening. MUCH better than a set of grill tools.
4. Books make us healthy. Whether because we're laughing or learning or just relaxing, the act of reading is calming--a rare thing in this busy world. Beats a white noise machine.
3. Books change our perspective. It's easy to get caught up in our daily lives, in our neighborhood, our jobs, our families and get all wound up about little things. A change of perspective reminds us to let go of the little things and be grateful for all our blessings. A change of perspective reminds us that even though we have problems, there are always people with much bigger problems, less money, more trying circumstances, and greater sadness. Okay, a goat or chicken through amnesty international might beat a book here, but a book ABOUT Amnesty International would trump.
2. Books inspire us, lift us up. A well-written novel shows a protagonist succeed against all odds. Despite the countless horrible things thrown in her path, she manages to not just survive, but grow into a better, more evolved person in the end. It reminds us that we are all growing from our adversities. Or a bottle of wine?
1. AND THE #1 reason to give BOOKS for Christmas is BOOKS TRANSFORM US. We are changed and affected by the books we read, the stories we experiences, and the adventures we seek through fictional characters. Children who read grow up to be more adventurous, confident, happy and successful adults.

So make your Christmas list NOW! And if you need any suggestions, be sure to ask. You KNOW I'd love to share.