Picking out books to give to loved ones and friends can be a difficult task. With so many options to choose from and taste to keep in mind, picking out a book can be a shot in the dark. Here at Echo-Lit, we have compiled a list of classic novels, modern storytelling, and chilly tales for the winter holidays. Don't forget to check out your local thrift stores or thrift websites online to get the best deals and titles! 

 1984 by George Orwell

If you find a loved one in your life politically inclined this year, George Orwell`s classic 1984 would be the perfect gift this holiday season. Long enough to survive the holiday break yet short enough to finish before returning to the world, 1984 remains a relevant, poignant, and entertaining read. Set in a dystopian/utopian future, Winston Smith attempts to survive political control, censorship, and corruption under the eye of a surveillance government. Discover a world where yes means no and up means down in one of the most significant novels of the 20th century. 

The Ghost Notebooks by Ben Dolnick

The Ghost Notebooks is a quiet, creepy thriller about love, loss, and grief. When a rocky city couple moves to upstate New York to take over an in-home museum, things start to go awry. Capturing the darker side of human experience, this novel is a quick and haunting  tale in every sense. Paranormal, psychological, and melancholy, The Ghost Notebooks would be a lovely addition to a bookish stocking or gift assortment. 

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley`s Frankenstein is a classic novel of cold and wintery effect. This novel would be perfect for loved ones inclined towards gothic horror, science fiction, and even romance. Dramatic, powerful, and eloquent, Shelley`s epistolary novel utilizes advanced diction while still remaining readable. Perfect for a chilly December night, Frankenstein remains an important novel accessible to all ages. 

American Innovations by Rivka Galchen

Rivka Galchen`s collection of short stories American Innovations is one of the best collections I've come across in a long time. Imaginative, exploratory, and real, Galchen`s collection is a winding array of narrators, concepts, and stories that leave readers in a daze. The collection would be a great addition to anyone looking to add to their short story collection. Surreal and weird in a good way, the modern conceptions of bizarre tales leaves readers strangely satisfied. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer`s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Fun, exciting, and entertaining, gifting J.K. Rowling`s Harry Potter series is never a bad idea. Perfect for bibliophiles young and old, the Harry Potter series provides an adventurous escape over the holiday break. Join your friends and family in the young wizard`s journey by providing the series that keeps on giving.