Don’t know what to give the person who already has it all? Worried about the right size, shape, or color? Hate how gift cards feel so corporate? Then you know the answer… give brilliant books! A tome of ideas—whether in the form of a fictional escape or an intellectual exercise—is a gift of thoughtfulness that can speak to every interest, age level, and desire. Brilliant books also take the pressure off: since you know what your friends like, you probably already know what books they love, or would enjoy. The list below features titles that are sure to delight as much as they spark interest, from poetry-meets-astrophysics to 300-year-old drawings of psychedelic sea creatures.
The Universe in Verse: 15 Portals to Wonder through Science & Poetry by Maria Popova
For the scientist with a creative streak, or for the painter with the heart of an astronomer, Maria Popova (of Brain Pickings fame, now The Marginalian) weaves poetry, science, and breathtaking illustrations into a celebration of the cosmos and our place in it. Whether one leans toward science or the humanities, this book has incredibly broad appeal: it’s built around fifteen poems by writers from Emily Dickinson to Adrienne Rich. Each verse is paired with scientific essays and gorgeous artwork—which is exactly what you’d expect with Popova at the helm. And P.S., if you don’t already know about The Marginalian and crave some intellectual stimulation on the daily, get on her email list already!
Paul Smith: You Can Find Inspiration in Everything (and if you can’t, look again) by Paul Smith et al.
For the fashionista, designer, trend-setter, or artsy friend in your life, iconic British designer Paul Smith’s work is a visual feast packed with color. It’s a huge book with generous-sized pictures, so perfect for a lonely coffee table or housewarming gift too. This is a book that invites its readers to literally see and consider the world differently—and sometimes the inspiration that follows is unexpected.
An Exaltation of Larks by James Lipton
Do you have a friend who loves puns, etymology, syntax, history, and linguistics, or who argues passionately in defense of the Oxford comma? Then pick up Lipton’s ultimate book of “terms of venery” (those delightful collective nouns like “a murder of crows” or “a parliament of owls”). Inside, he collects hundreds of real historical terms and then invents brilliant new ones. Hours of poetic playtime for the brain await!
The Book of Symbols: Reflections on Archetypal Images by ARAS
As its name suggests, this is a mesmerizing 800-page visual encyclopedia of the symbols that have haunted human imagination for millennia—snakes, mirrors, trees, crowns, labyrinths, and hundreds more. It’s a tour de force of anthropology, science, psychology, myth, and religion. The visuals are paired with fascinating captions that inform as much as they transport. Coffee-table book? Yes. Creative fuel? Definitely. Soul medicine? Absolutely!
See the best political books on Audiobooks, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon/Audible.
Living Yoga: Creating a Life Practice by Christy Turlington
Even twenty years after its initial publication, supermodel Christy Turlington’s book remains one of the most inspiring books for yogis of all levels. This book is her personal love letter to the practice and features the work of photographers like Patrick Demarchelier and Norman Jean Roy. If you or someone you love is building a wellness practice or is already a passionate yogi, don’t miss this one.
Cabinet of Natural Curiosities by Albertus Seba
Let’s say you have a friend with a macabre or dark sense of humor. Or a friend who’s a scientist… or a friend who dreams about running amok in a Victorian gothic setting… or a friend who might believe in mermaids and cryptids. Well, Cabinet of Natural Curiosities will speak to all of the above friends and probably even more. This jaw-dropping collection features a facsimile of 18th-century Dutch apothecary Albertus Seba’s private “cabinet.” Yes—a legit, real-life cabinet of curiosities brought to life once more. You’ll see hundreds of hand-colored engravings of bizarre shells, snakes arranged like bouquets, twelve-legged starfish, and creatures that could have been torn from the pages of sci-fi.
What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory by Brian Eno
Brian Eno needs no introduction to most creatives, but if you only know him through his music, this book is a revelation: it distills fifty years of his thoughts on creativity, culture, and what art actually does to us. Part manifesto, part philosophical doodle book, it pairs Eno’s insights with gorgeous visuals and makes the perfect gift for musicians, designers, or anyone with a vision.
Exuberance: The Passion for Life by Kay Redfield Jamison
Looking to gift an upbeat read that isn’t sappy, chicken-soup stuff? Well, Exuberance comes to us from the author of An Unquiet Mind. As the title suggests, this book is a joyful exploration of exuberance itself. Jamison dives into why some people (and animals) bubble over with enthusiasm and how it fuels discovery and art, and she ultimately makes the case for why the world needs more of it. Part pleasure cruise, part psychology, this is a great read for resilience and joie de vivre in trying times—and good ones, too.
We hope you enjoyed learning about these brilliant books. We’ll continue to add fascinating reads to this list.
Find these Brilliant Books on Audiobooks, Amazon/Audible, and Bookstores who are not Amazon.
You might also enjoy Some of the Best Art Books Ever and Some of the Best Fashion Books Available Now.
Read this excellent piece on The Marginalian: The Universe in Verse Book by Maria Popova.
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