How many shopping days are left until Christmas? At this time of year, it feels like everyone from big box book stores to indie authors selling books from their living room is promoting a sale. But how do you know which book to choose for your loved ones? And are books even a good gift to give?

On today’s episode of Into the FOLD, Jael, Lin, and FOLD’s Kids Program Coordinator Ardo Omer talk about why holiday gift giving can be a joy and a struggle. While they love books, they agree books may not always be the right gift for everyone on your shopping list.

Jael, Lin & Ardo's Gift Giving Suggestions for 2025:Books

• Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin
• One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
• Waiting To Be Arrested At Night by Tahir Hamut Izgil
• You Can Be An Activist by Charlene Rocha and Mary Beth Leatherdale
• Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging by Matthew R. Morris
• Little You by Richard Van Camp
• The Inscrutable Mr. Yang by Lindo Forbes
• Only Mostly Dead by Alli Temple
• Gaysians by Mike Curato
• International editions and translated versions of your dearest reader’s favourite book

Other Gifts

• Bookish clothing and merch (like FOLD Apparel!)
• Gift cards to your favourite indie bookstore
• Tickets or passes to upcoming bookish events
• Donations to charitable organizations supporting literacy and diversity in publishing
• Library passports
• Reading logs

If you have questions for Jael & Lin, submit them to itf@thefoldcanada.org and we may answer them in a future episode!

If you've enjoyed this podcast and would like to support the work of the FOLD, please consider a donation at https://www.thefoldcanada.org/donate.

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