A few years ago, I received an unusual call from one of my friends. She wanted to know if I had sent her a weight-loss book. I hadn’t. She was calling all of her friends. It turns out that she had received a weight-loss book through Amazon that she hadn’t ordered. She felt offended because the weight-loss book was addressed to her, and there was no sender-information. On top of all of that, the book was used! Someone was anonymously sending her a hint to lose weight, and didn’t even buy a new book? The story all turned out well in the end – the book wasn’t meant for my friend (who, by the way is beautiful and didn’t need to work on her weight) – my friend’s Aunt had ordered it for herself, but accidentally had it sent to my friend.
I love sharing books with friends. But, I try hard not to offend anyone with my book choices. I’m usually so excited when I send a book as a gift that I call ahead of time to say that I sent over something fun. (That probably ruins the surprise.)
I just looked through my own Amazon order list. The most recent gifts I have sent to friends are: Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell, Setting the Table by Danny Meyer, and… Mind Hike. Giving the gift of a book feels so personal. If I’ve read a book, and liked it enough to send it as a gift, I’m really opening myself up. And if I’m honest, only sometimes are my friends as excited about the book-gifts as I am. What books have you given as presents?