It’s been a tough and trying time for many industries and some of you may be feeling extra appreciative of your work colleagues right now – especially if you haven’t seen them in a while. Distance, heart, etc…

Whether you’re trying to express your warm thanks or you just feel obliged, here’s a handy list of books that you can gift in your workplace.

THEY’RE LEAVING THE WORKPLACE

• Blueberries by Ellena Savage – A bold, experimental and candid personal essay collection that ruminates on big questions about the self, art, power and privilege.
  
  
• Know Yourself Prompt Cards by School Of Life – Sixty prompt cards designed to help lead you through the important task of knowing yourself a little better in life.
  
  
• How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell – Artist and critic Odell argues in favour of preserving attention and inner lives in this field guide to slowing down.
  
  
• The Definitive Bucket List by Lee Atkinson – This sturdy travel guide for the newly-retired contains hundreds of holiday ideas across Australia and New Zealand from luxury escapes to train journeys, golfing trips, garden tours and wildlife encounters.

THEY REALLY HELPED YOU OUT

• Ottolenghi SIMPLE by Yotam Ottolenghi – Every household should have a copy of this beloved cookbook that contains recipes focussed on ‘minimal hassle for maximum joy’.
  
  
• Capital and Ideology by Thomas Piketty (translated by Arthur Goldhammer) – This hefty book by heavy-hitter Piketty is perfect for the colleague that loves delving deep into politics, ideology, economics and history.
  
  
• Finding the Heart of the Nation by Thomas Mayor – This open-hearted book contains interviews with twenty key figures about their vision of a better future for Indigenous Australians, and taps into a deep sense of our shared humanity.
  
  
• Set Me On Fire by Ella Risbridger – Poetry anthologies are a wonderful, long-lasting gift; this one contains fresh and reassuring voices from poets all over the globe, both living and dead.

YOU KNOW THEY NEED A MORALE-BOOSTER

• Solved! by Andrew Wear – Public policy adviser Wear examines success stories from around the world, providing a dose of optimism and a toolkit for those looking for social change.
  
  
• You’re Not Listening by Kate Murphy – This life-changing book shows how skilful listening can transform our relationships, improve our self-knowledge, and increase our creativity and happiness.
  
  
• Customer Service Wolf by Anne Barnetson – Colleagues on the frontlines of customer service will love these hilarious and spot-on cartoons about awkward and unbelievable customer interactions.
  
  
• The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy – A sweet and heartfelt book of illustrated conversations between the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse.

IT’S A MILESTONE

• Baby Business by Jasmine Seymour – This gorgeous picture book about the Darug baby smoking ceremony is full of love, care and blessings, and is the perfect gift for first-time parents.
  
  
• The Readings Jigsaw Puzzle – If they’re getting married they’re going to start doing jigsaw. Don’t ask us why – we don’t make the rules!
  
  
• How to Be a Leader: An Ancient Guide to Wise Leadership by Plutarch & Jeffrey Beneker – Give this book to your recently promoted colleague, in the hope that they will take on some lessons from the ancient world to become the best manager ever.
  
  
• When You’re Not OK: A Toolkit for Tough Times by Jill Stark – If the milestone is a difficult one, this warm and practical book of tips and wisdom can guide your colleague through the tough times.

YOU NEED A JOKE GIFT

• Kitty Flanagan’s 488 Rules for Life by Kitty Flanagan – A pretend TV book that came to life, comedian Kitty Flanagan’s shares her unimpeachable rules of life to help create a well-mannered world.
  
  
• Aussie Slang Playing Cards – Master the verbal ballet that is Aussie slang with this set of 54 Aussie Slang playing cards.
  
  
• An Underground Guide to Sewers by Stephen Halliday & Peter Bazalgette – Never before has there been such a comprehensive celebration of the vast sewer networks that lie beneath the world’s great cities - past and present!
  
  
• What Would the Hoff Do? by Mitchell Adams – Possibly the best self-help book out there, treat your colleague to Hasselhoff’s pithiest quotes and mantras.