Secret Santas, take note: 7 books that will actually get read

This curated list of books, ranging from witty office rebellions to breathtaking memoirs, guarantees you will pick the perfect gift for every reader.

A book is the perfect gift for colleagues. (Source: Unsplash)

It is that time of year again. In offices everywhere, employees draw a slip of paper, randomly becoming the Secret Santa for a colleague they may or may not know well. The tradition promises surprise and joy for the recipient, but for the giver, it often sparks an initial terror. You have a name, a modest budget, and the immense pressure to find something perfectly personal.

Rather than defaulting to an impersonal gift card or venturing into the risky territory of clothes or perfume, an elegant solution is to gift a book. But which book? To solve your holiday dilemma, I have curated a list of standout titles, spanning fiction, memoir, cookbooks, and compelling nonfiction, that are sure to delight without breaking the bank.

For the fiction aficionado

1. Counterattacks at Thirty by Won-pyung Sohn

Set in the workplace, Counterattacks at Thirty by Won-pyung Sohn, is brimming with witty observations and ways to stage a revolution. (Source: amazon.in/Unsplash)

The perfect gift for anyone who has ever survived a soul-crushing office job. This witty, humane novel imagines a gentle revolution in the workplace. It follows Jihye, a master of the silent eye-roll, whose dull administrative life is upended by a new intern who plans tiny acts of subversive revenge. What starts as mischievous fun evolves into a moving story about solidarity and the fragile dignity of work. It is hilarious, tender, and ultimately uplifting. Undoubtedly, a cathartic read for every cubicle warrior.

Also Read | In Counterattacks at Thirty, Won-pyung Sohn turns her gaze to South Korea’s white-collar trenches, offering a comedy of quiet desperation

2. The Loneliness of Sonia & Sunny by Kiran Desai

Kiran Desai’s third book, The Loneliness of Sonia & Sunny, was shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize, and was bookmakers’ favourite. (Source: amazon.in/Unsplash)

Ideal for the serious reader who laments that the art of the great, sprawling novel is fading. Desai’s long-awaited novel is a masterpiece of emotional depth. It traces the lives of Sonia and Sunny across continents, exploring migration, memory, and the subtle violences of class and history. With prose that is supple, perceptive, and achingly beautiful, this is a gift that promises total immersion into a richly woven world.

3. The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

The Thursday Murder Club series is on the must-read list of mystery lovers. (Source: amazon.in/Unsplash)

The perfect gift for anyone in need of warmth, wit, and clever plotting. This new installment in the beloved Thursday Murder Club series delivers pure, charming comfort. When a wedding guest’s disappearance pulls the elderly sleuths back into action, Osman masterfully balances cozy warmth with a propulsive mystery. It is the literary equivalent of a perfect blanket and a cup of tea that is guaranteed to lift spirits.

Also Read | Richard Osman’s ‘The Impossible Fortune’ is less mystery, more a meditation on loss and ageing — and that’s what makes it so good

For the Memoir & Nonfiction Reader

4. Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy

Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy is her first memoir focusing on her complicated relationship with her mother. (Source: amazon.in/Unsplash)

When Roy writes, the world pays attention. The Booker-winning author’s breathtaking portrait of her mother. It is a fierce, demanding, and profoundly formative force that has taken both literary circles and Bookstagram by storm. She explores a love that is both sanctuary and rupture, weaving personal history with political consciousness. It is an unforgettable gift, compelling even to non-readers out of sheer curiosity.

5. Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams

Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams is based on the Facebook workplace. (Source: amazon.in/Unsplash)

The perfect gift for anyone obsessed with tech culture and corporate intrigue. This eye-opening insider account from a former Facebook executive pulls back the curtain on the bizarre and often chilling reality behind the social media giant. Wynn-Williams narrates her journey from wide-eyed idealism to disillusionment, detailing a corporate culture where human decency often came last. From Mark Zuckerberg’s awkward political maneuvering to the platform’s direct role in global elections and genocide, this book is a masterclass in narrative nonfiction. It is a guaranteed conversation starter for anyone curious about the true cost of connection in the digital age.

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For the Curious Mind & Home Creator

6. To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant

The recipes in the book are really to die for.

The recipes in To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant, are really to die for. (Source: amazon.in/Unsplash)

A truly unique and surprisingly moving gift. Archivist Rosie Grant has collected recipes etched onto headstones from cemeteries around the world—a tomato sauce, a blueberry cake, a favorite curry. Each recipe comes with the story of the person who chose to be remembered through it. It’s a conversation-starting blend of culinary history, genealogy, and a poignant meditation on legacy.

7. The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St Clair

The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St Clair is a perfect gift for the creative soul. (Source: amazon.in/Unsplash)

A pure volume of joy for the creatively minded. St. Clair delves into the astonishing histories behind 75 different shades. Did you know the vibrant orange “gamboge” was also a violent laxative? Or that “mummy brown” was literally made from ground-up mummies? This book is a treasure trove of trivia and art history, perfect for browsing and sparking wonder.

Aishwarya Khosla

Aishwarya Khosla runs the Books & Literature and Puzzles & Games sections at The Indian Express. Her long-form writings examine the interplay of culture, identity, and politics. She also pens The Indian Express newsletters, Meanwhile, Back Home, and Books 'n' Bits. She began her career at the Hindustan Times, where she covered books, theatre, culture, and the Punjabi diaspora. She was the recipient of the The Nehru Fellowship in Politics and Elections, where she studied political campaigns, policy research, political strategy and communications. Write to her at aishwaryakhosla.ak@gmail.com or aishwarya.khosla@indianexpress.com. You can follow her on Instagram: @aishwarya.khosla, and X: @KhoslaAishwarya. ... Read More