Recommend A... Book I Could Give as a Birthday Present

Recommend A...is a new weekly feature hosted by Chick Loves Lit, where bloggers recommend a book based on a specific prompt.

This week's prompt is to recommend a book I could give as a birthday present. Hmm, this is a hard one. I do give books as birthday presents quite a bit, but my choices totally depend on the person to whom I'm giving the gift! I don't really believe in blanket presents — or even blanket books — that are just suitable for any person. 

But regardless of that, this is a book that I think both readers and writers alike can enjoy:

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott 

I generally prefer to read fiction to non-fiction, but every once in a while I turn to non-fiction for particular needs. My entire family has been aware of my love of writing (and eventual authorship plans) for quite some time now, and my mom has by far been the most supportive, even buying me books on writing now and then. This is one of those "books on writing" that she's bought me and I've read it now a few times. 

I do enjoy how Lamott is able to personalize her book. Yes, it's a book about the craft of writing. But it's also a book about Lamott's journey to publication and specific tips and tricks she picked up over the years. If I can't have a protagonist on some epic journey, at least Bird by Bird is able to provide some characters and conflicts nonetheless. I think this blurb from Goodreads sums up the book nicely:

If you have ever wondered what it takes to be a writer, what it means to be a writer, what the contents of your school lunches said about what your parents were really like, this books for you. From faith, love, and grace to pain, jealousy, and fear, Lamott insists that you keep your eves open, and then shows you how to survive. And always, from the life of the artist she turns to the art of life.

This is a book I'd give as a gift to any aspiring writer.

What book would you recommend as a birthday present?