5 books to gift this holiday season, suggested by Sonali Bendre Behl's book club

A book always is a great gift, not just for avid readers but everyone. Afterall, who doesn't like to curl up on a cold winter day in a cozy blanket with a hot cup of coffee and a good book to read? So here we share a list of five books that make great gifts this holiday season, as recommended by actress Sonali Bendre Behl's book club.

Photo: Sonali Bendre Behl/ Instagram

Inspired by the Buddhist philosophy of life and spirituality, this is a heartwarming story of friendship and hope. Two unusual friends, Big Panda and Tiny Dragon, navigate through the changing seasons in a year together and in the process they learn to live in the present moment, be at peace, accept and find strength to overcome troubles and uncertainties in life.

Photo: Michael Joseph

Charles Dickens' classic 'A Christmas Carol' is an all-time favourite story to gift, read, revisit and cherish in the holiday season. Published over two centuries ago, 'A Christmas Carol' continues to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas even today.

Photo: Fingerprint! Publishing

Another Christmas classic, 'The Polar Express' is written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. First published in 1985, the book was adapted to an Oscar-nominated film in 2004 starring actor Tom Hanks. The story follows a young boy as he travels to the North Pole on the Polar Express to meet Santa and through his journey he learns the true essence of Christmas.

Photo: Andersen Press

International bestselling author Fredrik Backman's 2018 novella 'The Deal of a Lifetime' "reminds us that life is a fleeting gift, and our legacies rest in how we share that gift with those we love,' reads the book blurb.

Photo: Michael Joseph

Ruskin Bond's children's book 'Calypso Christmas' is a collection of eight short stories that will take you on an exciting journey "from the small towns of Mussoorie and Dehradun to the teeming cities of Delhi and London". Though the book is aimed at young readers, adults too would enjoy reading this book written by the beloved author from the hills.

Photo: Rupa Publications India