7 Books You Should Gift Your Girlfriends This Christmas
There's no greater feeling in the world than curling up with a good book, losing yourself in the pages, and forgetting the world around you. But in between juggling busy schedules and the demands of our personal lives, finding the time to crack open one of our favorite titles can seem like a goal only achievable through the imagination. But for one "Bookstagrammer", it's not just a fairy tale, it's her reality.
Meet Kici Cofield, a 25-year-old bookworm who has managed to read 52 books a year for the last two years (that's one book for each week of the year, if you're keeping count). The Hampton University and Northwestern University alumna is a self-proclaimed introvert who found solace in the recharging powers of the stories she would read.
Since many of Kici's friends would turn to her for book and food recommendations, she decided to launch an Instagram page, Well Read and Fed, solely dedicated to her latest reads and foodie adventures. What started off as a "just a little side project" has turned into a growing community of millennial readers eager to share and exchange their love of books and recommendations among one another.
Still, you're probably wondering how she fits so many books in throughout the year; according to her, it all comes down to focus. She says, "I try to read 100 pages a day in whatever I'm reading so, that's what helps me get through the books so easily. The secret is honestly just putting your phone down, picking up a book, and giving it your full attention!"
If there's anyone who knows where to find a good read, it's Kici. So, we chatted with her to learn her top book recommends to gift to our girlfriends this holiday season. Check them out below:
*This list is specially curated by the xoNecole team and some links are affiliate links. If you purchase an item from an affiliate link, xoNecole might earn a small commission.
1.'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones.
Amazon
"This book is based on the wrongful imprisonment of a young Black man and how it affects both him and his new wife. From the moment I started reading it, I knew that it was going to be a good book. After reading it, I experienced the worst book hangover! I couldn't stop thinking about this book simply because things like this happen in our community every day. If I just got married, would I be willing to hold my man down in prison knowing that he was innocent? Would I be able to allow all of the things I worked towards remain on pause while I try my best to live my life? It was ridiculously good. I would recommend both reading it and gifting it to a friend so that you can discuss it!"
2.'Becoming' by Michelle Obama.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
"If you didn't buy your close friend Becoming for Christmas, are they really your friend? I LOVE Michelle Obama. Her ability to 'go high when others go low' is something that I've always strived to do in life. Though I knew that she was already a BB from her time in the White House, this book gave me an inside view of her life outside of the White House. I experienced a lot of emotions but mostly pride that I got to experience the First Black First Lady in my lifetime."
3.'Broke Millennial' by Erin Lowry.
"Growing up, my parents didn't teach me about finance and how to properly manage my money. This was partly because they themselves were ignorant and not in a good space financially. So naturally when I graduated college, I opened lines of credit and found myself in debt trying to balance student loans, credit card payments, and the cost of living. Though I've been reading a lot of other books on financial literacy, I loved how relatable this book was. It was written by a millennial for millennials, so I would definitely gift it to a friend that wants to be more financially literate!"
4.'You Are A Badass' by Jen Sincero.
"This is the self-help book of all self-help books. While I was reading this, I had a hundred notes in my phone of quotes that really stuck with me. This book is all about realizing and owning your self-worth. I was in a patch when I picked this book up and it was the best book I've ever read. Whenever my friends ask for recommendations, this is one of the first books I recommend because it's that good. Perfect for someone that needs a little reminder that they are a badass!"
5.'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' by Maya Angelou.
"I have a slight obsession with Maya Angelou. She's always embodied grace and success to me. It wasn't until this year that I actually started reading her books and poetry. I fell in love with this story because it was similar to mine. It tackled things like rape, the idea of belonging, and self-acceptance. I believe that some books have the ability to bring healing and this was certainly one of them."
6.'A Piece of Cake: A Memoir' by Cupcake Brown.
"I came across this book right after Beyonce's Lemonade album. Someone did a write up about books they felt the album was based off and so I had no idea what the book would be about. When I tell you that I opened the book and couldn't put it down, I am not lying. I started reading the book and literally stayed up to finish it. It was a memoir about a girl, Cupcake Brown. The book describes her descent into teenage prostitution and drug addiction. Although some of the stories seem unrealistic, she holds to her story being true. I would gift this to a friend that doesn't like to read because 9 times out of 10, they are not going to be able to put this book down."
7.'Make Your Bed' by Admiral William H. McRaven
"I was definitely at a point in my life recently where I felt like I had zero self-discipline. So, me being me, I decided to find a self-help book based on the idea of discipline. Make Your Bed was written by a former Marine and he shared stories about his experiences while tying them back to self-discipline. It's all about little things (such as making your bed every day) that can change your life. This book is perfect for a friend that has goals that they want to reach but can't seem to locate enough discipline to put the work in!"
For more book recommendations year-round, follow Kici's latest titles on Well Read and Fed Instagram here.
Featured image by Getty Images
Originally published on December 8, 2018
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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