Best-selling authors John Green, Jodi Picoult and more share top holiday gift book picks

The authors revealed what books they are giving as gifts this year.

ByABC News
December 19, 2017, 8:32 AM

— -- For those looking for a gift idea, with Christmas less than a week away, “Good Morning America” asked some best-selling authors for their top holiday book recommendations this year.

Here are the books that authors Michael Connelly, Jodi Picoult, Paula Hawkins and John Green will be giving to their friends and family this year.

1. “Two Kinds of Truth” author Michael Connelly’s recommendation: “Wonder Valley” by Ivy Pochoda

“The book I am giving away this holiday season is ‘Wonder Valley’ by Ivy Pochoda,” Connelly told ABC News. “It’s set in L.A. It’s beautifully written. It’s got a lot of mystery.”

The cover for "Wonder Valley" by Ivy Pochoda is pictured here.
Courtesy Ecco

2. “Small Great Things” author Jodi Picoult’s recommendation: “Breaking Bread” by Martin Phillip

Picoult said she is giving a copies of the book this year. “Not only is it a beautiful cookbook, but it is a beautifully written memoir about how baking has woven through Martin’s life,” she told ABC News.

The cover for "Breaking Bread: A Baker's Journey Home in 75 Recipes" by Martin Philip is pictured here.
Courtesy Harper Wave

3. “The Girl on the Train” and “Into The Water” Paula Hawkins’ recommendation: “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng

Hawkins said that she will be gifting a copy of Ng’s new book this year, describing it as “a wonderful novel.”

The cover for "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng is pictured here.
Courtesy Penguin Press

4. “Turtles All The Way Down” and “The Fault in Our Stars” author John Green’s recommendation: “Piecing Me Together” by Renee Watson

“This holiday season, the book I’m giving out to friends is ‘Piecing Me Together’ by Renee Watson,” Green said. “I hope none of my friends are watching.”

The cover for "Piecing Me Together" by Renee Watson is pictured here.
Courtesy Bloomsbury USA Children's

If you’re still searching for book recommendations, ABC News’ Michael Strahan, George Stephanopoulos, Paula Faris and Adrienne Bankert exchanged books live on “GMA” today.

Here are the ones they chose:

“Higher Is Waiting” by Tyler Perry

"Higher is Waiting" by Tyler Perry.
Amazon

Strahan gave Faris “Higher Is Waiting,” described as a spiritual guidebook that draws on inspiration and experiences from Perry’s upbringing in New Orleans to today and how he has relied on his faith to guide him through hard times.

“Sneakers” by Rodrigo Corral, Alex French, Howie Kahn

"Sneakers" by Alex French and Howie Kahn.
Amazon

Stephanopoulos picked out “Sneakers” for Strahan. The book goes inside the $85 billion dollar a year sneaker industry and features photos and interviews with industry gurus, influencers and celebrity sneaker lovers.

“You Are Free: Be Who You Already Are” by Rebekah Lyons

"You Are Free: Be Who You Already Are" by Rebekah Lyons.
Amazon

Faris gave Bankert “You Are Free,” a Christian lifestyle book.

“Grant” by Ron Chernow

"Grant" by Ron Chernow.
Amazon

Bankert gave Stephanopoulos the latest book by Chernow, the acclaimed biographer of Alexander Hamilton. In his latest biography, Chernow dives into the life of Ulysses S. Grant.

Reading a book on our list? Tweet us @GMA with your comments!

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