Books are “the quintessential Christmas — or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or other December celebration — gift.” So writes New York Times book review editor Jennifer Harlan in her article “How a Good Book Became the ‘Richest’ of Holiday Gifts.”

Supporting that point, writer and editor Tom Connair sent us the picture below, along with a note reading, “This pic will give you an idea what a few book-loving friends of mine will be getting as holiday gifts this ye...