Gift Book Guide
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for every special occasion
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No ads, no paid placement, no affiliate links.
Just high-quality, author-curated gift ideas.
Babies can be a joy. Babies can be hard work. And now, babies can be a 50-in-1 science project kit.
"Experimenting With Babies" teaches parents how to recreate famous published studies on cognitive, motor, social and behavioral development — using their own children as the research subjects.
Mom and Dad can begin experimenting on the day their baby is born, and they can continue to test hypotheses well into their child's toddler years.
"Shaun Gallagher taps into his creativity as a dad and his fun inner scientific geek in his new book, Experimenting With Babies."
— Parents.com, Mom Must Read: Tap Into Your Inner Geek
"I started buying this book for friends and family who are reproducing or who have recently reproduced, mainly because the title makes me giggle and the reviews are good. Turns out that it is like crack for new parents who are already fascinated by every burp, wiggle, and wide-eyed blink that emerges from their offspring. It gives them more to do with the infant than just stare at it and make odd, high-pitched sounds."
You've said your vows and cut the cake. Congratulations, and welcome to the greatest experiment of all!
In "Experiments for Newlyweds," you'll find fifty science projects, based on real academic research in fields such as psychology, game theory, and more, designed for you and your partner to complete together. Uncover the ways your emotions can alter your perception of the world around you, explore the connection between language and memory, and examine your relationship through a scientific lens.
"Experiments for Newlyweds" is the perfect wedding or bridal shower gift (or as a gift for the groom!) and will be a hit at engagement parties.
Author Shaun Gallagher "invites couples — newlywed, unwed, and otherwise — to reenact 50 recent social science studies that illustrate why relationships are so tricky and that reinforce the benefits of supporting each other in large and, especially, small ways. His summaries and takeaways make for a creative introduction to both research and commitment. Gallagher has made solid choices in the studies he presents, with easy-to-reproduce conditions that reinforce proven lessons on how to work together on budgeting, charity, travel, and division of household responsibilities, as well as generally being kind to each other."
— Psychology Today, The Annals of Self-Experimentation
"For the record, the title and cover design make this seem like a gag gift, and again it's great as a gag gift, but its also a very cool book to actually play around with an use.
"As in 'Experimenting With Babies,' the book presents 50 science projects that are adapted from real published research. For each project, it gives you instructions on how to complete the experiment with your significant other. Then, for those who are interested, it talks about the science behind the experiment. And finally, there's a 'takeaway' section that shows how you can incorporate the lessons learned from the experiment to enrich your own relationship."
This is a book for dedicated academics who consider spending years masochistically overworked and underappreciated as a laudable goal. They lead the lives of the impoverished, grade the exams of whiny undergrads, and spend lonely nights in the library or laboratory pursuing a transcendent truth that only six or seven people will ever care about. These suffering, unshaven sad sacks are grad students, and their salvation has arrived in this witty look at the low points of grad school.
This hilarious guide to surviving and thriving as the lowliest of life-forms — the grad student — will elaborate on all of these issues and more.
"After finishing his PhD in molecular biology, Adam Ruben wrote a book titled 'Surviving Your Stupid Stupid Decision to go to Grad School.' His goal in writing the book is to warn students considering applying for their MA or PhD, as well as to be a form of a support for those who have already embarked on what he implies is a long, incredibly challenging and frustrating, journey."
— TalentEgg, Book Review: Surviving Your Stupid, Stupid Decision To Go To Grad School
"As an eternally suffering graduate student since God knows when, I could totally relate to this book. As awe inspiring as academia appears from a distance, the reality is far from the truth. I adore humor, and this book manages to make one laugh through the pains that we grad students go through. "
"Effused with tenderness, McBratney's wise, endearing, and droll story is enriched by the near-monochromatic backdrop of Jeram's pen-and-wash artwork, rendered earthy tones of moss, soft brown, and gray for a visually quieting effect just right for that last soothing tale before sleep."
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"I received this as a baby shower gift and have easily read it hundreds of times. That it is still occasionally requested at bedtime makes my heart happy."
"Readers will find hope and humor in Hollis's stories as she challenges them to take control of their physical, mental, and spiritual health ... Hollis's dynamic book is filled with inspiration for women who feel stuck on the path to realizing their dreams."
— Publishers Weekly
"This book is perfect for the dreamer and the doer. It is authentic, hard-hitting, and will inspire you to get up off the couch, out from behind your computer screen, set some goals and follow your dreams!"
Includes all seven books that make up The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: The Magician's Nephew; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Horse and His Boy; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair; and The Last Battle.
"Fantastic creatures, heroic deeds, epic battles in the war between good and evil, and unforgettable adventures come together in this world where magic meets reality, which has been enchanting readers of all ages for over sixty years. The Chronicles of Narnia has transcended the fantasy genre to become a part of the canon of classic literature."
— PBS, The Great American Read
"No matter who you are, or what age, or what type/genre of book you usually read - no one should go through life without having read this amazing series by one of the best authors I know."
"Journalist Levin gives well-researched advice for surviving run-ins with coyotes, bears, and moose, among other large animals, along with helpful tips, anecdotes, and charts for dealing with smaller critters, from bees to skunks. The illustrations make it the perfect coffee table book, while its small size means it also fits nicely in a backpack."
— Real Simple
"I have already given this book away as a gift four times, and each time the recipient starts flipping through and reading immediately. It is a combination of really useful, well-researched information; really good, funny writing (by both the author and her guest-essayists); and pleasing illustrations and design choices."
"A highly readable and substantial guide to the grown-up realms of money and business."
— New York Times
"An all-in-one guide for millennials. Kobliner provides the need-to-know stuff."
— Michelle Singletary, The Washington Post
"Straightforward and concise explanation of everything a young person should know to maximize their personal financial situation, whether you’re still a student, struggling to pay loans and debt, or have been working for years. The nitty-gritty details are supplemented with sober advice, clear examples, and all of the info is backed by research and links to further resources."
"As soon as you crack the book open, you'll quickly see that this is no ordinary newlywed-targeted cookbook. It isn't trying to teach you how to just barely hold things together in the kitchen.Instead, it aims to inspire you to bring the love of your relationship and to translate it into the food you prepare together."
— Huffington Post
"This book quickly became my version of 'Julia and Julia'; I made it my goal to try as many recipes as I could in our first year of marriage. My husband and I recently moved out of our first apartment, but every time I open this cookbook I get a warm sense of nostalgia. It reminds me of how excited I was to try a new recipe and cook with my husband in our first home."
"Wreck This Journal encourages you to stop fretting about quality and start relishing the artistic process."
— Oprah.com
"This isn't just a book or a journal, this is a project, an undertaking, a small commitment you have to make with yourself if you are going to complete this. I had to make myself do things I would never do. Without being too spoilerish I'll just say you really are supposed to be the opposite of careful with this book."
"Even for readers already familiar with Mr. Martin's solemn side, Born Standing Up is a surprising book: smart, serious, heartfelt and confessional without being maudlin. Decades after the fact he looks back at a period of invention and innovation, marveling at the thought that his efforts might have led absolutely nowhere if they had not wildly succeeded."
— The New York Times
"I read this in two days as the pages just turned and turned. Martin's story is interesting and of course funny, though the book is not a comedy. I appreciated the insights into what it takes to succeed in comedy, and moreso, what it takes to perfect one's craft. Perhaps it's due to Martin's own depiction of himself, but he seems to have been a very unfunny man who learned how to be funny through thousands of hours of trial and error. That he finally achieved success and is one of the more recognizable comedians of the 20th century is inspiring."
"This book may not have pictures, but it's sure to inspire lots of conversations — and laughs."
— Kirkus, starred review
"Once children get the joke, they'll want to play it on as many of their grownups as possible."
— The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"My kids (9,7,5) crack up every time we read this. The first time we read it, I thought it would get old after a few reads. Not so! At least not for my kids. They love it so much they all asked to bring it to school so their teachers could read it to their whole class."
At last! A guide to that crucial first year of marriage! You’ve exchanged your vows, cut the cake, and danced your first dance. Now what? The wedding may be over but the marriage has just begun. You’re in the honeymoon period now, but when reality sets in you’ll likely be full of questions: Is arguing normal? How do we decorate when we have two completely different styles? How do I deal with the in-laws? Are we ready for children? Fortunately, The Newlywed’s Instruction Manual is here to help you and your spouse navigate the ins and outs of those early years of marriage.
"I buy this for all of my newly engaged/married friends. Has a lot of humor but also really good advice and tips for EVERYTHING. "
With its laugh-out-loud guidance on baby care, Safe Baby Handling Tips is a must-have for anyone overwhelmed — and befuddled — when it comes to caring for their bundle of joy. Now, it's updated and refreshed to be even more helpful and relevant to the modern parent.
"This book is the funniest book ever! It definitely helped take the edge off of those first stressful weeks of motherhood."
Paige Wolf is a green-living advocate and a mother of two who found herself struggling to be an eco-conscious parent. Sifting through conflicting headlines and determining what separates "realistically green parent" from "crazy green parent" can be a daunting task, so Wolf took it upon herself to save other parents the trouble.
"Spit That Out" also includes real-life stories from moms who are trying to be green but not lose their minds (or drain their bank accounts) in the process. The general theme: Do what you can, but don't feel guilty about not doing what you can't.
"Wolf does a great job covering the basic topics of raising a baby in a healthy, environmentally friendly way without coming across as preachy. She is realistic — knowing you can't keep your baby in a germ free bubble, and even giving props to good germs."
