It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? We’re getting down to the wire with Christmas shopping: the malls are packed, the roads are overrun with traffic. Instead of braving the retail madness out there, order a gift from the comfort of wherever you’re sitting right now. Books make the best gifts because they are easy to buy online, they stimulate and entertain the mind and they can be shared afterward.

But don’t just listen to us. Here’s what some others have to say about why books make great gifts:

“Books make great gifts because they can unveil hidden secrets.” –Dan Brown

“Books make great gifts because they have whole worlds inside them, and it’s much cheaper to buy somebody a book than it is to buy them the whole world.” –Neil Gaiman

“Books make great gifts because… [they don’t] come in any particular size, so you don’t have to be embarrassed if you bought somebody the wrong size.” –Valerie Bertinelli

“Books make great gifts because in a time of trouble, they can take the reader personally into a place of hope.”–Glenn Beck

“Books make great gifts because they’re everybody’s favorite things.” –Julie Andrews

“Books make great gifts because they’re something you love that you can share.” –John Lithgow

“[Books are] the most fun you can have for under $25. You and your significant other can’t go to a movie and buy popcorn and have that much fun!” –Al Roker

“Books make great gifts because you don’t have to plug them in.” –Alec Baldwin

A few books we highly recommend as gifts during the 2013 holiday season? Rome and Joliet, Shoot the Messenger and Worlds Apart. All three books are now available at BarnesandNoble.com. Shop now!