Holiday
Gift Guide
2021
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Dear Friends of Women & Children First, |
Welcome to the holiday gift guide for 2021!
We are so excited to share many of our favorite books of the season with you, but before we do, let's have a quick chat. We know you're tired of hearing about the supply chain; we are, too! That being said, given the many hurdles ahead of us--the continuing effects of the pandemic, a paper shortage, delays in shipping--we want to do all we can to make your holiday season as safe and seamless as possible. We encourage all of you to shop womenandchildrenfirst.com anytime and to place your orders and preorders now!
ALSO--this gift guide is full of love and recommendations, so much so that the message gets clipped! Be sure to click "view entire message" at the bottom of your screen so you don't miss anything!
If something you want is out of stock, don't worry. We'll try to find another book that's just as great for you or your loved ones. Let's get creative together to take care of everyone on your list!
Also, we have one last event this year! Join us on Thursday, December 2 for an in-person, in-store book-signing with Kyle Lukoff for his critically acclaimed middle grade novel, Too Bright To See. Signed books make excellent holiday gifts!
We will be closed November 25th & 26th. We hope to see you on November 27th for Small Business Saturday!
With gratitude & love,
W&CF
Chicago's Feminist Bookstore
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Lauren Groff's new novel, her first since Fates and Furies, is a defiant and timely exploration of the raw power of female creativity in a corrupted world.
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From the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys comes a gloriously entertaining novel of heists, shakedowns, and rip-offs set in 1960s Harlem.
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From the #1 bestselling authors Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny comes a novel of unsurpassed thrills.
After a tumultuous period in American politics, a new administration has just been sworn in, and to everyone's surprise the president chooses a political enemy for the vital position of secretary of state.
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Alice, Felix, Eileen, and Simon desire each other, they delude each other, they get together, they break apart. They have sex, they worry about sex, they worry about their friendships and the world they live in. Are they standing in the last lighted room before the darkness, bearing witness to something? Will they find a way to believe in a beautiful world? |
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A vibrant story collection about Cambodian-American life--immersive and comic, yet unsparing--that offers profound insight into the intimacy of queer and immigrant communities |
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A boy who hears the voices of objects all around him; a mother drowning in her possessions; and a Book that might hold the secret to saving them both--the brilliantly inventive new novel from the Booker Prize-finalist Ruth Ozeki! |
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Lily King takes what you expect from literary fiction and gives you something gentler. All of these stories made me feel. The beautiful title story is gorgeously quiet. King's writing is always memorable in a genre that in others' hands can feel disposable. --Jamie
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Set in 15th-century Constantinople, in a small town in present-day Idaho, and on an interstellar ship decades from now, Anthony Doerr's gorgeous third novel is a triumph of imagination and compassion, a soaring story about children on the cusp of adulthood in worlds in peril, who find resilience, hope--and a very important book. |
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In this stunning and timely novel, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author Louise Erdrich creates a wickedly funny ghost story, a tale of passion, of a complex marriage, and of a woman's relentless errors. |
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Some of Mariame's best essays in one place for you to reference whenever you need that grounding. Mariame explains the necessity of abolition better than I ever could! Everyone should have this book in their collection.
--Ariel
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An unflinching, powerful memoir about growing up Korean American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity. (This book has gotten a lot of hype and has stayed a bestseller for months now. It's totally worth it! --Ida) |
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Mary Roach is the absolute best storyteller. Her observations are incisive and hilarious at turns. Her latest dives into what happens when animals 'break' human laws, and the often hilarious, often heartbreaking, consequences.
--Karlee
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Joy Harjo, the first Native American to serve as U.S. poet laureate, invites us to travel along the heartaches, losses, and humble realizations of her poet-warrior road. |
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From the author of Fun Home, a profoundly affecting graphic memoir of Bechdel's lifelong love affair with exercise, set against a hilarious chronicle of fitness fads in our times.
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I love a good tale of how community helps to shape the person you are, even if it's not for the best sometimes. I loved reading about these three Black women whose lives took 3 different turns. --Quen |
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The absolute perfect book to reflect on the last two years of the pandemic. Radke redefines loneliness and love and community and so many other things. A delightful combination of history, memoir, psychology and sociology, not to mention that the pictures and art are also incredible. My soul was thoroughly warmed by this graphic novel. --Ida |
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Two longtime friends share an intimate and urgent conversation about life, music, and their enduring love of America, with all its challenges and contradictions, in this stunningly produced expansion of their groundbreaking Higher Ground podcast. The book features more than 350 photographs, exclusive bonus content, and never-before-seen archival material!
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Hip-Hop (And Other Things) is about rap, but other things as well. It's a smart, fun, funny, insightful book that celebrates the form of music that has dominated the industry the past two and a half decades. Tupac is in there. Jay Z is in there. Missy Elliott is in there. Drake is in there. Pretty much all of the big names are in there, as are a lot of smaller names, too.
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We would love to celebrate ALL of our local authors! Check out a longer list HERE
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A heart- wrenching novel set in Puerto Rico on the eve of the Spanish-American War; an unforgettable story of love and endurance, and a timeless portrait of the reasons we leave home. |
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Too often disability narratives canonize, normalize, or sanitize their subjects. Golem Girl is a crisp, powerful, vulnearble, messy departure. Riva's writing is as stunning as her art! --Sarah
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Once I Was Cool contrasts past aspirations with the mess and magic of the present. Maturity is demanding, but its rewards are a gift!
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I was at turns in shock and tears as Daunis naviagtes and seeks to uproot corruption, while protecting her community's most vulnerable. Facing high-stakes danger, Daunis relies on knowledge from her Ojibwe community and Elders. --Karlee
CW: Sexual assault
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Fifteen-year-old Morgan has a secret: She can't wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives.Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. The two become friends, and suddenly life on the island doesn't seem so stifling anymore. As the girls start to fall in love, everything they're each trying to hide will find its way to the surface... |
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The Haunting of Hill House meets Get Out in this chilling YA psychological thriller and modern take on the classic haunted house story from New York Times-bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson!
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This is SUCH a lovely book about being true to yourself and finding your people (sometimes inside a secret, magic room that supplies you with a comforting glass of horchata).
--Karlee
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Elfie Oster is the latest in Kristin Mahoney's roster of extraordinary young characters whose ordinary existences have more depth than we remember from our own childhoods. Elfie's disastrous first day at Hampshire academy and its fallout is relatable for all ages. I loved this charming book!
--Jamie
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A sweaty (and sweet!) graphic memoir about figuring out your own path, growing into and appreciating our bodies, and challenging toxic masculinity--all while laughing and joking through life.
--H. Melt
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2021 was the year of AMAZING middle grade novels written by Chicago authors. See a few of our favorites below! |
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A genie informs twelve-year-old Amira and her younger brother Hamza that they are the chosen ones who must defeat a monstrous demon of Islamic folklore to save the Earth and a parallel dimension. |
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Twelve-year-old Suzy Bowles stumbles on the opportunity to learn ostrich-riding with the infamous Madame Marantette, and her obligations to her family on the farm threaten to derail her dreams of a bigger life. SO FUNNY! |
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In this contemporary fantasy, twelve-year-old Maya's search for her missing father puts her at the center of a battle between our world, the Orishas, and the mysterious and sinister Dark world. Set in Chicago! |
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From award-winning author Eve L. Ewing comes an illustrated middle grade novel about a forgotten homemade robot who comes to life just when aspiring fifth-grade scientist Maya needs a friend--and a science fair project. |
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The turn of a card could change your destiny in this captivating middle grade adventure based on the Lotería card game and perfect for fans of Coco. While searching for her missing cousin, a young girl is transported to a mythical kingdom, becoming entangled in a perilous game of chance.
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In this stirring, much-anticipated picture book by presidential inaugural poet and activist Amanda Gorman, anything is possible when our voices join together. As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes--big or small--in the world, in their communities, and in most importantly, in themselves.
Ages 4 to 7
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Printed with a dyslexia-friendly font, Aaron Slater, Illustrator tells the empowering story of a boy with dyslexia who discovers that his learning disability may inform who he is, but it does not define who he is, and that there are many ways to be a gifted communicator.
Ages 4 to 8
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Readers will delight in turning their book sideways and upside down to follow Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant flight in this tale of self-confidence and taking a leap of faith.
Ages 4 to 8
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What a perfect autumn day! Papa Bear tells his cubs to bundle up in the cozy sweaters he knitted for them--but that is easier said than done. A hilarious and warmhearted ode to fall, patience, and knitting.
Ages 4 to 8
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Carol is tired of listening to her bossy toad hat--until a pigeon carries it away! This delightful picture book is a quirky and funny fable about overcoming self-doubt and finding your inner voice.
Ages 4 to 8
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This comical and heartfelt picture book is a winning celebration of invention, creativity, and friendship. With gorgeous underwater scenes and a crowd-pleasing tale, this is one little mermaid who is here to make a splash!
Ages 4 to 8
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An excellent collection of vegetarian recipes perfect for family meal plans!
--Kaylie
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Written by a local Chicago author! The recipes are delicious, but even more so her storytelling is so compelling. This really celebrates culture and community! --Kaylie |
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This is an incredible collection of art, essays, and recipes celebrating the Black culinary traditions. This book is STUNNING. --Kaylie
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H. Melt writes with such clarity and focus that I vibrate while reading their poetry. They call for a world where Trans people can be Trans without cis nonsense. This book is powerful. If feels how glitter looks. --Ariel |
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With formal virtuosity and ruthless precision, Kaveh Akbar's second collection takes its readers on a spiritual journey of disavowal, fiercely attendant to the presence of divinity where artifacts of self and belonging have been shed. |
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As a Black girl from the south full of rage, full up with displacement, fed up with the white and male gazes, forever in search of rage and hurt that feels a little, looks a little more like mine, this book was a balm.
--Ariel
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A series of poems drawn from various collections published throughout the 40-year career of American poet Lucille Clifton |
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Rifqa is Palestinian poet Mohammed El-Kurd's ode to his late grandmother and to the Palestinian struggle for liberation. |
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Gender theory meets high drama soap opera with a strong dose of Brooklyn snark in this addictive page-turner.
--Sarah
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This kaleidoscopic collection brings together essays, poetry, policy solutions, and so much more from women at the forefront of the climate movement. A great resource emotionally and intellectually! --Kaylie |
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I swallowed this book whole. This book is so quiet and yet it is so damn powerful. It's a story of fathers and sons, of fractures in relationships--romantic, familial, and otherwise--and how to overcome them or how to decide they aren't worth overcoming. --Jamie |
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From the author of Red, White & Royal Blue, One Last Stop is a magical, sexy, big-hearted romance where the impossible becomes possible as August does everything in her power to save the girl lost in time. |
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Looking for the perfect gift AND a way to support Women & Children First ? Start your holiday shopping early this year with audiobook gift memberships HERE. New to audiobooks? Check out some our recommendations HERE.
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Make a donation to Chicago Books to Women in Prison in honor of a loved one. Visit their wishlist HERE and donate a book or gift card to get books in the hands of incarcerated people. Request a holiday receipt in the comments in honor of your purchase. |
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Need some help finding the perfect gift for someone who loves W&CF? Leave it to us! A W&CF bookseller will thoughtfully curate a gift bundle on the chosen themes! Plus, all bundles will arrive gift-wrapped. Check out our new Queer Magic, Chicago and Nom Nom Novel bundles HERE
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In 1979, JEB self-published her first book, Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians. In a work that was revolutionary for its era, JEB made photographs of lesbians from different ages and backgrounds in their everyday lives--working, playing, raising families, and striving to remake their worlds. Reprinted for the first time in forty years!
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This book is all about connecting Queer existence and celebration with the world around us. Also, the couples in the book have such relatable stories of how they came together. I think that after the year (and some change) we've all been through, we need a reminder of how love, in the smallest and simplest of ways, can connect us time and time again. --Raven |
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This feminist retelling of the history of photography puts women in the picture--and, more importantly, behind the camera!
In ten thematic, chronological sections, Tate Modern curator Emma Lewis explores the vital role women artists have played in shaping the ever-evolving medium of photography.
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In this rich and multilayered collection of interviews, conversations, and intimate photographs, more than 100 trailblazing women describe the ups, downs, and lessons learned while forging their unique paths. It is a tribute to the importance of intergenerational connections between women. |
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This tender story about queer love and loss, connection, disconnection and re-calculating your identity through it all put me in my feels. Lee Lai is an incredible author and illustrator who does a great job at writing painfully relatable characters and dialogue --Quen |
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This is a collection of stories from the incredibly talented Tillie Walden. What I love about Walden is her ability to tell such touching stories that say so much while she actually writes very little. Her illustrations are often dream-like and atmospheric in a way that completely immerses me into her stunning world.
--Quen
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Over the past ten years, we have witnessed the rise of queer and trans communities that have defied and challenged those who have historically opposed them. Through bold, symbolic imagery and surrealist, overlapping landscapes, queer illustrator and curator Syan Rose shines a light on the faces and voices of these diverse, amorphous, messy, real and imagined queer and trans communities. |
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Looking to purchase books in bulk as gifts for your organization? We can help! See our frequently asked questions HERE!
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5233 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
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