Did you enjoy the first installment of our holiday gift guide? Back for more already? This week, we’ve called in the book experts—the Experiment staff—to provide recommendations on their favorite Experiment books! From the laugh-out-loud funny to the creative, check out our staff picks for this holiday season. And be sure to check out our third installment of the holiday gift guide next week!
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Matthew, Proprietor and Publisher
A Pocket History of Human Evolution—How We Became Sapiens
“300 pages briefer than Sapiens, A Pocket History of Human Evolution brilliantly elucidates our origins as a species. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who’s compelled by the stream of headlines announcing discoveries that require nearly everything we’d understood about our prehistoric ancestors to be reconsidered. I love how author Ian Tattersall commented that it’s ‘a minor miracle that authors Silvana Condemi and François Savatier have been able to summarize it all so elegantly and authoritatively’!”
Liana, Assistant Editor
Dry—Delicious Handcrafted Cocktails and Other Clever Concoctions
“Whether you’re shopping for someone who drinks alcohol like a fish or seeking a present for a hard-core teetotaler, Dry is the perfect gift this holiday season. Holiday parties or cozy nights in are that much more complete with any of these nonalcoholic cocktails in hand. In the winter months, the Hot Buttered Spiced Apple is my go-to: It’s the perfect buttery, sweet concoction to warm you up and satisfy your sweet tooth—without the alcohol, of course! And, trust me, you won’t even miss it.”
Jack, Associate Designer
Still With It!—The Funny Side of Growing Older
“I’m an old curmudgeon at heart, and that’s why I really like Still With It. It has a lot of great advice for people of any age, but especially the ‘senior’ in your life—or the friend with an old soul. Not to mention, it has some downright hilarious illustrations that capture the true struggles of growing older, whether it’s dealing with ever-changing technology or finding little ways to stay young.”
Batya, Editor
Breathe, Empower, Achieve—5-Minute Mindfulness for Women Who Do It All—Ditch the Stress Without Losing Your Edge
“Breathe, Empower, Achieve is one of my favorite books I’ve ever worked on. Now more than ever, I think we live in a culture of ‘go go go,’ and so many of us (especially our moms, sisters, and female friends) don’t stop, or don’t feel like they can stop, to take a breath and relax. I love Breathe, Empower, Achieve because it’s about slowing down in order to save your sanity, feel better, and find success.”
Beth, Art Director
How to Draw and Write in Fountain Pen—A Modern Guide
“This is the perfect book for the artist—professional or aspiring—on your list. The (hand)written word is cool again, and fountain pens are basically the records of the lettering world. How to Draw and Write in Fountain Pen makes the learning process easy, whether you’re starting from scratch or learning new tricks. Plus, it’s really, really fun. So fun, I’m thinking of putting my work aside and spending my lunch hour practicing my 3-D block lettering . . .”
Zach, Managing Editor
Space Exploration—A History in 100 Objects
The Ultimate Vegan Breakfast Book—80 Mouthwatering Plant-Based Recipes You’ll Want to Wake Up For
“I couldn’t pick just one! These books are very different, but they’re both fantastic reads. I learned so much from reading Space Exploration, but the gorgeous photography of all of the different space objects really wowed me. And, as someone who’s always looking for exciting vegan recipes (I’m sick of having the same thing over and over again), I was thrilled to find a vegan cookbook that takes back breakfast! Get them separately, or hey—maybe they’re both perfect for the vegan space-junkie in your life.”
Ana, Contracts and Rights Manager
Stonehenge—A New Understanding—Solving the Mysteries of the Greatest Stone Age Monument
“Ever since I was a kid, Stonehenge has always fascinated me. How did it get there? How was it built, and what was it used for? Stonehenge—A New Understanding dives into the mysteries of Stonehenge to help shed light on all those questions. And, of course, the author, Mike Parker Pearson, is an expert in archaeology. I like this book because it covers everything you want to know while still being accessible to people who may not know anything about Stonehenge. Definitely recommended.”
Lionel, Supervising Roving Editor
How to Land on Your Feet—Life Lessons from My Cat
“If your person is anything like my person, they fall short on several measures of feline excellence. Perhaps he never naps unless he’s actually tired, or she often expends energy on something called ‘worry’—or, even more mysterious, ‘work.’ Help your hapless human live better with this adorable book! Over 100 illustrated cats (humans’ second-favorite thing after real cats) share priceless ‘purrs of wisdom’ on self-care, relationships, grooming, and more—from ‘Accept love on your own terms’ to ‘Never let anyone dress you.’ This fits perfectly in a stocking . . . I know, I checked!”
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We hope you enjoyed our second installment of The Experiment’s 2019 Holiday Gift Guide. All of the books listed here are available for purchase—check your favorite online retailer or bookstore to find them. Be sure to tune in next week for the next installment, and happy shopping!
