As people who spend a lot of time reading, editing, designing, marketing, and otherwise thinking about books, many of us at UNP can think of no greater or more meaningful gift than a book. For this staff reading list, we are sharing the books that we’re planning on giving as gifts this holiday season.

 

Dear Old Nebraska U: Celebrating 150 Years

University of Nebraska-Lincoln with Kim Hachiya

“Over the course of the year I purchased and gave Dear Old Nebraska U: Celebrating 150 Years to no fewer than a dozen friends and family. Every person who received it was sincerely thankful and super-impressed. The range of this book’s content and the excellence in the production quality that were used to tell the university’s story cannot be overstated. We do outstanding work and this book is a brilliant example. Proud to be a staffer, proud to be a Husker!” —Ann Baker

 

The Expanse Series boxed set

James S. A. Corey

“The titles are Leviathan Wakes, Caliban’s War, and Abaddon’s Gate. The series contains some of the best science fiction I have ever read and I want to pass my enjoyment of them on to someone else. The three books together are 1792 pages, which I love, because it’s more to enjoy.” —Rob Buchanan

 

The House on Mango Street

Sandra Cisneros

“It really is perfect for almost anyone—the language is straightforward and it’s a short book with short chapters, so it isn’t too daunting for younger readers (my 14 year old sister loved it) or for someone who just isn’t a big reader. The first time I read it (and loved it, of course) was in a college class, so it’s also a good pick for the kind of person who majored in English or is a very critical reader. It’s the perspective of a young girl from a minority, too, which is a good addition to any bookshelf.” —Anne Aberle

 

Marvel Comics: The Untold Story

Sean Howe

“I’ve given Sean Howe’s exhaustive comics history to many people over the last few years for lots of reasons. For superhero fans, it’s a fascinating retrospective of the creators and company behind so many iconic characters. For more critically minded readers or those interested in publishing and American cultural history, Howe documents the clashes between editors, writers, and artists, how money and bitterness and short-sighted business practices brought Marvel from a counter culture icon to near-bankruptcy to omnipresent cultural juggernaut.” —Jackson Adams

 

Doc, Donnie, the Kid, and Billy Brawl: How the 1985 Mets and Yankees Fought for New York’s Baseball Soul

Chris Donnelly

“I’ll be giving my dad a copy. I’m incredibly lucky to work for a publisher that publishes a fantastic baseball list, but more specifically Yankees baseball. You could say my dad has been appreciative of that over the years as well.” —Rosemary Sekora

 

Low Mountains or High Tea: Misadventures in Britain’s National Parks

Steve Sieberson

“My parents went on a backpacking trip through Scotland a few years ago and have talked about returning many times. I can’t afford to send them there myself but I can gift them this candid memoir. I hope it’ll remind them of some of their favorite stops and maybe give them a few new places to visit on their next Great Britain trip.” —Anna Weir

 

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made by Jason Schreier

Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness by Edward Abbey

What’s a Dog For? The Surprising History, Science, Philosophy, and Politics of Man’s Best Friend by John Homan

“I actually used the September UNP staff picks as inspiration when I selected which books to give as gifts this year! My fellow staffers had some great recommendations.” —Lacey Losh