If you wish to surprise someone close to your heart with a wonderful present, but you don’t have a clue what to buy, you should consider books. Many people are very fond of the written word, and a well-chosen lyric masterpiece will surely please your friend. In the following rows you are offered a few suggestions. All these are engaging and valuable books make wonderful gifts.

Eat, Pray, Love

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Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert tells the story of a woman’s pursuit of everything across Italy, India and later Indonesia. It was published in 2006 and it’s actually a memoir of the author. It talks about her trip worldwide after her upsetting divorce and presents her discoveries throughout the entire journey. “Eat, Pray, Love” was on The New York Times Best Seller list for more than weeks in a row. Soon after the book was released, Columbia Pictures acquired the movie rights and the film version was launched in August 2010. In the movie are staring actor Javier Bardem and famous actress Julia Roberts.

Gilbert followed up this book with “Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage”, which presents her life after the trip described in “Eat, Pray, Love”. Both of these books are extraordinary. They present the sensitive and psychological emotions of a vulnerable woman who’s struggling to embrace a new life, after her divorce. She learns to find happiness in small things. These are two great inspirational volumes that your dear one will surely adore.

The Great Gatsby

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This is another outstanding novel, written by author F. Scott Fitzgerald. It was published in 1925 and follows several characters living in the fictional city of West Egg, found on the wealthy Long Island. The action takes place in the summer of 1922, and the story revolves around the young and enigmatic tycoon Jay Gatsby and his idealistic passion for the attractive Daisy Buchanan. Views as Fitzgerald’s opposite, The Great Gatsby reconnoiters the themes of idealism, decadence, opposition to change, excess, social turmoil. It creates an unparalleled portrait of the Jazz Era and has been described as an advisory tale of the American Dream. It recently served as source of inspiration for a terrific movie, wearing the same name and it would definitely make a wonderful gift!

The Hunger Games

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It’s an exciting science fiction novel, written by Suzanne Collins. The story is voiced by Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year old girl, who lives in Panem, a post-apocalyptic nation located in North America. The Capitol, a state of the art metropolis, exercises political and military control over the entire nation. The Hunger Games are a yearly event in which one girl and one boy aged 12-18 from each one of the twelve districts found around the Capitol are selected by lottery to battleto death in a televised combat.

“The Hunger Games” talks about a society found on the verge of collapse, destroyed by the battle for power and wealth. It shows how far people are willing to go for their safety and to protect their dear ones. It’s definitely one of the most enthralling modern books.

Game of Thrones

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Game of Thrones” is a series of fantasy novels written by George R.R. Martin. It was published for the first time on the 6th of August 1996, but wasn’t too popular until recently. The novel won countless important awards and in January 2011 became a New York Times best seller. It presents several plot-lines and points of view. Martin gracefully introduces the noble houses of Wall, the Westeros, and the Targaryen. The novel borrowed its name to various spin-offs and games. It’s also the basis for the HBO television series with the same name. “Game of Thrones” is viwed as one of the most promising books of the century and billions of fans are currently waiting for the new volume of the series to be released.

As I Lay Dying

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This is one of William Faulkner’s best novels. It was initially published in 1930, but it remains a fascinating and stylistically advanced work. The story is centered on a darkly humorous journey, as Addie Bundren’s family departs to fulfill her last wish: to be buried in her native town Jefferson, Mississippi, far away from the surroundings of her married life. The story is narrated by various characters and it’s one of Faulkner’s most wonderful novels.

Whether we like it or not, literature is dying. People are no longer buying books and students would rather watch a movie than read. Nevertheless, there are still people out there who are fond of literature; hence, making such gifts is certainly a great gesture. If you’re struggling to have the best gift for your loved one, the above mentioned examples should be your inspiration.

By Jason Phillips