The Best Books to Give as Gifts, According to Your Favorite Authors

Here at Esquire Book Club, we've had one helluva year. Marlon James schooled us on fantasy fiction's dragon quotient, Heather Radke taught us about the cultural history of women's butts, and John Waters explained why he beheaded the Jonas Brothers in his debut novel. Talking to the literary luminaries of our time has been a joy, a privilege—and sometimes, a laugh riot—but even this recap of our year in books barely scratches the surface. During another hard year, these nourishing conversations about life and literature have kept us going—and kept us reading, too.

As 2022 winds to a close, we asked ourselves: what better way to conclude our latest year of Esquire Book Club than to bring back these authors for one last rodeo, holiday-style? Buying books for the readers in your life can be tricky, but with the world's leading writers on your side, you can't go wrong. Below, this year's Esquire Book Club authors divulge their favorite books for holiday gifting, from novels to coffee table books and more. Read them in good health and good spirits.