Hello snowflakes!❄️
It is that time of year again! Black Friday is behind us, but if your like me, than you already started acquiring presents back in October.
Today I will be recommending some great books for anyone and everyone on your list. I have suggestions for the mystics and book collectors, all the way to the mythical creature lovers and map enthusiasts. I split this post up into two parts, so look out for part two in the next week or so. Read on to find out more!
THE BOOKS
FOR THE MYSTIC
1. A Little Bit of Crystals
by: Cassandra Eason
buy: amazon
A Little Bit of Crystals is part of the A Little Bit series where each book has information on something mystical. This hardcover helps the reader know how to choose the right crystals and assemble a basic collection of important stones. It also teaches you how to create a crystal “center” at home. There’s also a guide to certain crystal remedies used for many issues such as physical pain, insomnia, conflicts with loved ones, and much more.
Other books in this series range from A Little Bit of Dreams all the way to A Little Bit of Tarot.
2. The Green Witch
by: Arin Murphy-Hiscock
buy: amazon
In The Green Witch, the reader will learn the way of the green witch, like how to use herbs, plants, and flowers to make potions and oils for everyday healing. The Green Witch also demonstrates how crystals, gems, stones, and even twigs can help you find balance within. This guide contains directions for herbal blends and potions, ritual suggestions, recipes for sacred foods, and information on how to listen to and commune with nature. This is the perfect gift for any individual who loves both nature and all things mystical.
3. Practical Magic
by: Nikki Van De Car
buy: amazon
Each section in Practical Magic focuses on three primary areas — healing, magic, and fortunetelling. Not only is the information informative but there are also tons of beautiful illustrations as well. Topics range from herbal tonics and astrological charts, all the way to crystal healing and suggested rituals.
FOR THE LOVER OF MYTHICAL CREATURES
1. Dragons: The Myths, Legends and Lore
by: Doug Niles
buy: book depository
Dragons: The Myths, Legends and Lore is part of a series where each book has information about a different mythical creatures. Inside there are various illustrations as well as tons of information on the said being. There are other books in this series each focused on a different mythical being. Other creatures include, mermaids, vampires, fairies and wizards. This would be a great book for any dragon lover out there who is interested in learning more about well…dragons!
2. The Faerie Handbook
by: The Editors of Faerie Magazine
buy: amazon
The Faerie Handbook was created by the Editor in Chief Carolyn Turgeon of Faerie Magazine along with the rest of the editors. It is a gorgeous cloth bound hardcover with silver foiling on the front, spine, back, and edges, and a satin ribbon bookmark.
Inside readers can find four sections—Flora and Fauna, Fashion and Beauty, Arts and Culture, and Home, Food, and Entertaining. There are various recipes and do-it-yourself projects as well as information on different types of faeries. In addition to all that, there is also a vast array of photography, literature and essays as well. The Faerie Handbook is the perfect gift for any faerie lover out there.
3. The Secret History of Mermaids and Creatures of the Deep
by: Ari Berk
buy: amazon
The Secret History of Mermaids is an interactive and fully illustrated book that is part of The Secret History series. The narrative is told as if it is a textbook on mermaids and is said to be written by a Professor known as Ari Berk. The whole book is pretty much faux research and discoveries that informs the reader about mermaids as if they were real. This is a super quick read that is jam packed with illustrations. Not to mention, it’s also one of the most beautiful books I’ve yet to come across.
4. The Magical Unicorn Society Official Handbook
by: Selwyn E. Phipps
buy: amazon
The Magical Unicorn Society Official Handbook is a vibrantly illustrated guide to everything unicorn-related, brought to readers by the Magical Unicorn Society.
The Magical Unicorn Society has created a genuine volume of unicorn lore. This book features the facts, the fiction, the where, why and what of these mystical creatures. Inside, readers will find all the details about unicorns including where unicorns really live, how to find them, and what they eat. Readers can also learn how to look after them, what powers they have, how to tempt them, train them, and even ride them.
The beautiful artwork is by artists Helen Dardik as well as Harry and Zanna Goldhawk.
FOR THE BOOK COLLECTOR
1. MinaLima Illustrated Classics
by: Various
buy: MinaLima
For those of you who have a friend or family member who likes to collect beautiful editions of their favorite stories, these next few books might be just what you need. Keep in mind, for each edition I mention, there are also various other titles in the same collection to choose from.
The MinaLima editions are some of my absolute favorites. For those of you who aren’t aware, MinaLima is the design studio that handled all of the graphics in the Harry Potter films. They also create gorgeous full-color illustrated editions of classic literature as well. In addition to beautiful interior artwork, each edition also comes with tons of interactive elements. Other books in this collection include, The Beauty and the Beast, The Secret Garden, The Jungle Book, and The Little Mermaid.
2. Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions
by: Various
buy: Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble has some of the best collectible editions of classic literature. The above book is just one of many, and features all seven of Jane Austen’s novels. Most, if not all of the Barnes and Noble collector’s editions have gilded edges and a ribbon bookmark. The children’s books even have illustrations as well. This Jane Austen compilation sports gold edges, and has a ribbon bookmark as well as beautiful patterned end papers. Not only are these editions nice to look at, but the quality is unbeatable as well.
3.Folio Society Editions
by: Various
buy: Folio Society
Folio Society publishes some pretty amazing collectible editions of classics. The amount of titles they offer is endless. Like most of their books, the above version of The Wind in the Willows was bound in blocked buckram, includes a frontispiece, has 30 full color illustrations as well as 50 black and white illustrations, has printed end papers, and comes in a beautiful slipcase. You simply can’t go wrong when purchasing any Folio Society edition.
FOR THE FLOWER CHILD
1. How to be a Wildflower
by: Katie Daisy
buy: amazon
How to Be a Wildflower is a book for discovering your inner free spirit. Created by artist Katie Daisy, inside readers can find beautiful illustrations and lettering of things to do and make, quotes, meditations, natural history, and more. Examples of recipes and activities also include, a recipe for strawberry rhubarb pie, a prompt to hike by the light of the moon as well as a place to press flowers. How to be a Wildflower is the perfect gift for any flower child this holiday season.
2. A Victorian Flower Dictionary
by: Mandy Kirkby
buy: book depository
A Victorian Flower Dictionary is a non-fiction companion novel to a book known as The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Each page features a different botanical illustration with a description of the selected flower as well as the meaning of it according to the Victorian era. This is the perfect gift for someone who not only loves flowers, but who also appreciates the symbolism behind them as well.
3. Flowerevolution
by: Katie Hess
buy: amazon
Flowerevolution is a wonderful guide to flowers, what they can do for you, and how you can incorporate them more into your daily life and rituals. There is beautiful photography by Louie Schwartzberg for various types of flowers. Next to each photo there is an description for the flower, what message it has, why it’s special, what it reveals, and so on. If you want to go the extra mile, you can even go on the author’s website and purchase one of her elixirs which all go hand in hand with all of the flowers and rituals mentioned in this book.
FOR THE MAP ENTHUSIAST
1. The Atlas of Fairy Tales
by: Claudia Bordin
buy: amazon
The Atlas of Fairy Tales is a wonderful illustrated book for any literary map lover in your life. Although geared towards children, I personally find that anyone who loves both maps and fairy tales will appreciate this hardcover. Inside, readers can find abridged versions of popular fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid, and much more. After leafing through each narrative, readers can find gorgeously illustrated maps from the world of each specific tale.
2. The Writer’s Map
by: Huw Lewis-Jones
buy: book depository
The Writer’s Map is a collection of fictional maps where different popular authors discuss the maps inspired by their own stories. Inside the writers mention not only the atlases that appear in their books, but also the many maps that gave them inspiration and the sketches that they use in writing their tales. Authors and maps included range from Phillip Pullman, Robert Louis Stevenson and his map of Treasure Island, maps for The Hobbit trilogy, ‘The Marauder’s Map’ for the Harry Potter films, and much more.
Also included are maps of the world as imagined back in the medieval times, as well as maps of adventure, sci-fi and fantasy, maps from nursery stories, literary classics, collectible comics, and many, many more.
2. The Golden Atlas
by: Edward Brooke-hitching
buy: book depository
The Golden Atlas is a collection of maps that were made the first time the world was explored. Inside there are tons of facts and well, maps, from ancient times. This is yet again, another great gift option for any map lover out there!
I hope you enjoyed reading today’s post!
Until next time,
The Garden of Read-En 
What a wonderful post, so many beautiful books!
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Thank you!!
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