by Sophie
We’re heading into the gift season for real now, so here are some tips for when you want or need to give groups of people a little something – friends, book club members, your tabletop RPG party, staff, business relations, etc. Because there’s not much better than gifting your group a little imagination and/or something to intellectually chew on, in our opinion!
We generally have a number of copies of the below titles in stock, but please note that if you want large quantities, we may need to order in from abroad. In which case: order earlier rather than later! Please contact us at info@abc.nl for more information in that case.
We also have a large quantity discount option, both for large (10+) quantities of single titles, and for large (20+) quantities of mixed titles. You can find more information about that here.
And now to the good stuff: the actual recommendations from us, to you! Some will be themed, some will be single titles (with a link to more similar titles), all will be personally picked by us.
First off, these are super handy if you’re in a hurry (and maybe, possibly, forgot about organizing that group gift). And of course also if you want to give your group the option to stroll into one of our 3 stores and pick out something of their own interest. Our Gift Certificates come in different denominations, and you can order them online as pick-up or mail order, or else come into a store and get them at the register. More information can be found here.
Peruse our ABC Favorites for titles we heartily recommend in general. These books are proven ABC bestsellers in many different categories. From fiction to philosophy to science fiction to business to fantasy to young adult to science, these titles will tickle your brain on many different levels. Each of our 3 stores has a dedicated spot for the ABC Favorites, so come on by and have gander, or else take a look at this highlight on our website.
The Culture Map by Erin Meyer
A contemporary classic about navigating cultural differences at the office and elsewhere.
Staff members Damla and Matty are big fans, with Matty writing: “One of the most fascinating books I have ever read. […] For anyone who has contact with people from other cultures, this is a totally invaluable resource to help speak each other’s emotional language. I think about and use what I learnt from this book all the time.”
More non-fiction gift ideas can be found here.
The Courage to Be Ordinary by Ichiro Kishimi
The author of The Courage to Be Disliked, an ABC Favorite, returned this year with another follow-up, The Courage to Be Ordinary. Kishimi encourages you to accept who you are, and gives you tools on how to live your life free from the expectations of others. Everyone runs their own race, it’s time to stop comparing yourself to others and embrace your own ordinary self. An act that is both brave and a great weight off your shoulders.
More non-fiction gift ideas can be found here.
Abundance: How We Build a Better World by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
Earlier this year the small paperback edition of Abundance: How We Build a Better World was published. This is an honest book that encourages folks from all sides of the political spectrum to shift their way of thinking just a little, towards each other. The authors trace the political, economic, and cultural barriers to progress and propose a path toward a politics of abundance.
More non-fiction gift ideas can be found here.
Calendars
We stock lots and lots of calendars at this time of year. Page-a-day calendars have traditionally been a great group gift, and this year we are happy to report plenty of stock of old favorites like the Cartoons from the New Yorker and The Far Side Gallery. There are plenty more options as well, too, like Daily Brain Games and Star Wars Classic. Some calendars are not in our database, so be sure to contact us if you’re curious about a specific one or looking for something in a theme.
More calendar gift ideas can be found here.
Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali
This classic title roared back into the bestseller lists thanks to social media. Well, and because it’s a great book, too, of course.
Our Bella loved it, and writes: “A beautiful little book that packs a punch and leaves a bittersweet taste. It’s a story about missed opportunities & love that’s both fleeting and eternal. Be prepared to weep.”
More fiction gift ideas can be found here.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction took the literary world by storm! An epistolary novel featuring a complicated main character looking back through her life.
Our Júlia was a bit hesitant to try it but ended up loving it, and writes: “All her private and official letters fit together like a beautiful jigsaw puzzle of her past and present, revealing her complicated personality, family relationships, deep grief, and regrets—but also so much love. It’s a love letter to the art of writing, with the bonus: tons of book references.”
More fiction gift ideas can be found here.
Slow Gods by Claire North
A social science fiction space opera set around the announced supernova of twinned stars, and how the folks on the planets within its range act – or don’t act – with that knowledge.
Sophie was blown away: “A fantastic space opera, with a wonderfully diverse cast, urgent current themes (refugees, capitalism), and amazing planets and space stations. If Adjumir and its people were real I’d want to visit. It made me feel all the feels, and made me think about how to live a life worth living. Beautiful.”
Notebooks
And finally, we have so. Many. Beautiful notebooks. Lined, unlined, bulleted – whatever your preference there’s a notebook for you and your group. Because some stories still need to be written!
