'tis the season for "best of the year" / holiday shopping guides for things like books.

I thought it would be interesting to sort of crowdsource Tildes' own list.

• What books did you buy to give as gifts? (I'm specifically thinking of this holiday season, but anytime recently is fair game)

• Who did you get the book for?

• Why did you think they would enjoy the book?

If a friend who never reads came to you and asked for book recommendations that'll grab them, what would you recommend? Furthermore, what makes those ideal choices for a habitual non-reader?

I'm not asking because I'm trying to convince someone to read something -- I'm just curious to see what some of the suggestions and reasoning will be.

Articles

Hevosenkenkä Theatre will publish an online audio play for children to enjoy on Finland's national Fairy Tale Day

On the occasion of Finland's national Fairy Tale Day, Hevosenkenkä Theatre, an Espoo children's theatre has prepared a special surprise for all children who were eagerly awaiting this Finnish tradition.

Today, 18 October, the theatre will release an audio play of the story “The Bear That Wasn't” as a virtual gift to all those who were eager to visit in person but were unable due to the pandemic. The audio play is also part of the theatre's programme celebrating its own 45th anniversary.

TheMayor.eu – Anton Stoyanov – 18th October 2020

The other worlds of fairy tale – in pictures

Take a tour of the British Academy and Folio Society exhibition of fairy tale illustrations from all over the world, exploring the idea of ‘other worlds’ from China to Native America.

The Guardian – Unknown – 12th May 2015

Resources

Scandinavian Folk & Fairy Tales: Tales From Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland & Iceland

A collection of folk literature from five countries, with illustrations by native artists.

Good Reads – Claire Booss – 26th October 1988

Ten of the best fairy tales everyone should read

The best fairy tales are timeless and yet forever modern, tapping into deeply held and widely shared emotions and moral attitudes. The following constitutes not an exhaustive list of the definitive fairy tales, but rather our attempt to pick the top ten greatest fairy stories.

Interesting Literature – Dr Oliver Tearle – 10th July 2017

How and where do you like to read? Tell me all about your reading environment(s), both real and idealized. Do you sit in an arm chair with a cup of coffee and a worn paperback? Lie in bed with a cat curled up next to you in the dim glow of your ereader? Under a tree in the woods, listening to the book on your headphones? If you could find/build the perfect reading space for you, what would it look like?

And then, what about your more practical reading: on your phone on your lunch break? While waiting for your kids in the car during soccer practice? Tell me about the times you fit reading in even if it's not necessarily the full focus of the moment, or the times where you settle for a comfortable but less than ideal setup.

Include any meaningful rituals or accessories too. Do you like to put a good album on the record player to accompany you? Do you have a special bookmark that you use? Do you share your book covers on social media or livetweet each chapter? Does your favorite lamp like to look over your shoulder as you turn the pages?

Basically, tell me all about what reading looks like for you -- with enough detail so we can picture it!