by Chelsie Gohlmann

The pressure to find the perfect gift can feel overwhelming — especially when that gift is a book. At the Ames Public Library, we want you to enjoy giving, not agonizing. That’s why our staff has thoughtfully curated a selection of standout titles published within the past year, just for you.

Our holiday gift lists live on the Recommendations page of our website (www.AmesPL.org/books-movies-more/recommendations), but you can also find printed copies of the gift lists here at the library. Whether you’re shopping for an adult or youth reader (or even a baby!) we’ve made it easy to find something meaningful, without the guesswork.

For adult readers, our gift lists are organized by genre. From literary fiction to fantasy, cookbooks to compelling nonfiction, these lists highlight some of the most buzz-worthy and talked-about titles of the year. Each genre list features carefully-selected books that reflect the diversity and richness of the publishing landscape, giving you options that feel both thoughtful and timely.

If you’re buying for younger readers, our youth-focused lists take a slightly different approach: they’re arranged by age range. This structure helps you match a title more closely to a child or teen’s maturity, interests, or reading level. Don’t forget books for babies and pre-readers. The love of reading starts on day one!

By choosing from our curated selections, you give more than a book; You give connection, discovery, and inspiration. And you take some of the holiday stress off your own shoulders.

Another way to find books your reader might like is on the Library’s catalog. Type in a book that they like, then scroll down for a wealth of related books. You’ll find books by the same other, similar books under “you may also like” and “related resources,” and sometimes other lists or similar authors. This is also a great way to see what other books are in the same series.

So before scrolling through endless bestseller charts, let us do the heavy lifting. Browse our holiday gift lists or check out some “read-alikes,” and give something special this year without second-guessing. 

Happy gifting!