An attractively illustrated or specially designed book intended to be given as a present rather than read seriously.
From 'gift' (Middle English, from Old Norse 'gipt') + 'book' (Old English 'bōc'). Compound formed in modern English for the publishing industry.
Gift books represent how book publishing splits into two completely different worlds—books meant to be read versus books meant to be displayed on shelves and make you look cultured.
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