Book Gifting

My best employee left today. For some reason, she thinks it’s appropriate to graduate from college and move on to graduate school. Darn her.

Not only was she a good employee, but she was also a reader. In fact, I have her to blame for introducing me to the Shopaholic series. As such, I decided to give her a book as a good-bye gift.

Gifting a book is a rather daunting process. Reading is such a personal activity that giving a book is almost intrusive—like buying someone lingerie—and fraught with questions.

• How do you choose a book?
• What does the book say about your relationship?

Choosing a book for a friend is analogous to setting her up on a blind date. The book, or date, is a reflection of her personality. What if she meets her date and thinks: “This is what you think of me? You think I’m this nerdy . . . unattractive . . . obnoxious . . . etc . . . etc.”

• Can you only give a book you’ve read personally?
• Or can you pass on an unknown quantity?

One of my fears is that I’ll give (or recommend) a book the receiver finds offensive. Perhaps I have unknowingly developed a high tolerance for profanity, violence, or sensuality, and she’ll be shocked that I enjoy reading smut.

In the case of my employee, I was stumped. I know she reads the Shopaholic books, is a fan of Georgia Nicolson, and celebrated Harry Potter’s birthday.

In theory, I’m supposed to be an expert when it comes to recommending books, but in this case I turned to a buyer at the university bookstore.

Given my criteria (funny like Georgia, imaginative like Harry), she recommended Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris.

And now it’s killing me that I gave the book away instead of reading it myself.