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16 Of The Best Adult Coloring Books From 2019 For Your Gift List

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Stacey Megally

Staff Writer

Stacey Megally is a writer, runner, and incurable bookworm. Her writing has been featured in The Dallas Morning News, Running Room Magazine, The Bookwoman, and on stage at LitNight Dallas and the Oral Fixation live storytelling show. When she isn’t knee-deep in words or marathon training, she’s hanging out with her smart, funny husband and their two extremely opinionated dogs. Instagram: @staceymegallywrites

Just in time for the upcoming holidays, we’ve rounded up this year’s best adult coloring books for every personality. When you gift one of these fun and beautiful books, you give not only  the calming and therapeutic benefits of coloring, but also a chance to relive the childlike joy of blissful afternoons with nothing but your favorite box of crayons and pages full of possibility. 

No matter who you’re shopping for—from animal lovers to die-hard NBA fans to busy moms who need a safe space to drop f-bombs—you’ll find just the right adult coloring book for everyone on your list.

The Best Adult Coloring Books About Animals

Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Animal Designs, Relaxing Coloring Pages for Animal Lovers, Cat, Dogs, Horses, Elephants, Lions, FIshes, Turtles, and Many More! by Emma Byron

Who it’s for: 

The person who could happily spend all day watching marathon animal and wildlife documentaries.

What they’ll get:

Sixty one-sided pages of majestic creatures from the jungle, the sea, and everything in between. Each design features mandala coloring style.

Country Cats Coloring Book: An Adult Coloring Book With Adorable Cats, Charming Country Life, and Relaxing Nature Scenes by Jade Summer

Who it’s for: 

Your favorite cat person. No further explanation necessary.

What they’ll get:

Twenty-five images of playful cats, adventurous cats, lazy cats, and more. Each one illustrates at least one cat in an environment and includes an extra copy for do-overs, sharing, or  alternative versions.

Lovable Dogs Coloring Book: An Adult Coloring Book Featuring Fun and Relaxing Dog DesignsLovable Dogs Coloring Book- An Adult Coloring Book Featuring Fun and Relaxing Dog Designs book cover by Morgana Skye

Who it’s for:

Your favorite dog person (who may or may not be the same person as above).

What they’ll get:

Sixty-four pages of expressive dogs, from the flamboyant poodle to the resolute bulldog. Images feature mandala coloring style.

The Best Adult Coloring Books That Double As Planners

Johanna Basford 2020 Weekly Coloring Planner CalendarJohanna Basford 2020 Weekly Coloring Planner Calendar book cover by Johanna Basford

Who it’s for:

The person who believes organization should be beautiful.

What they’ll get:

A variety of hand-drawn illustrations, from flowers to butterflies to holiday-inspired images—all in a spiral-bound book that doubles as a planner. A corresponding day-to-day coloring calendar is also available.

F*ck This Shit Show: 2020–2021 Swear Word Coloring Planner Get Shit Done 24 Months Planner and CalendarF*CK THIS SHIT SHOW- 2020-2021 SWEAR WORD COLORING PLANNER GET SHIT DONE 24 MONTHS PLANNER AND CALENDAR book cover by Everyday Coloring

Who it’s for:

Busy friends who aren’t messing around when it comes to the term “adult.”

What they’ll get:

Twenty-four swear word coloring designs in a perfect bound, two-year planner, plus lined pages featuring “get shit done” quotes and plenty of space for notes. Also available from this series are five-year planners: one for anyone and another designed especially for “tired-ass” moms

2019–2020 | Weekly + Monthly Academic Planner: July to June | Flowers + Mandala Coloring Doodles: Zentangle Adult Colouring Cover2019 2020 | Weekly + Monthly Academic Planner- July to June | Flowers + Mandala Coloring Doodles- Zentangle Adult Colouring Cover book cover by Peechy Pages

Who it’s for:

Multi-tasking students who could use some calming downtime.

What they’ll get:

An academic planner with a cover they can color during study breaks. Planner includes monthly and weekly calendars, to-do lists, reminders, and inspiring quotes. 

The Best Adult Coloring Books For Die-Hard Fans

NBA Legends: Basketball Coloring & Activity Book for Adults and Kids: Players, Jerseys, and Logos (35 Best Biography) NBA Legends- Basketball Coloring & Activity Book for Adults and Kids- Players, Jerseys and Logos (35 Best Biography)by Anthony Curcio

Who it’s for:

The fan who can name every player on the roster, no matter which team is playing.

What they’ll get:

More than 35 one-sided coloring illustrations of NBA heros, plus every team’s logo and jersey. It also includes player biographies, stats, and rankings.

BTS Coloring Book for Stress Relief, Happiness and Relaxation: 방탄소년단 For Army and Kpop Lovers Love Yourself Book 8.5 IN by 11 IN Size—Hand-Drawn…Jin, RM, Jhope, Suga, Jimin, V, AND JungkookBTS Coloring Book for Stress Relief, Happiness and Relaxation- for ARMY and KPOP lovers Love Yourself Book 8.5 in by 11 in Size - Hand-drawn ... Jin, RM, JHope, Suga, Jimin, V, and Jungkook book cover by Ena Beleno 

Who it’s for:

Your friend who’s sorry-not-sorry for geeking out over K-pop and its stars.

What they’ll get:

Twenty-five pages of hand-drawn illustrations, featuring K-pop celebrities, such as RM, JHope, Suga, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Each page is single-sided.

The Best Adult Coloring Books for Specific Passions

Alma Mater: An HBCU Experience Coloring BookAlma Mater- An HBCU Experience Coloring Book book cover by Latoya Nicole

Who it’s for:

Anyone with incredible memories and unbreakable friendships from their time at a historically black college or university.

What they’ll get:

Fifty-four single-sided pages of collegiate-themed illustrations to color, activities to test their knowledge, and hidden marching band instruments on each page.

Fashion 1400–1620 Coloring Book for Adults: An Adult Coloring Book With Women’s Fashion and Historical Portraits for RelaxationFashion 1400-1620 Coloring Book for Adults- An Adult Coloring Book with Women's Fashion and Historical Portraits for Relaxation (Grayscale Coloring Book for Girls of All Ages) book cover by Junna Akitsu 

Who it’s for:

The fashionista or costume lover who heads straight for the most elaborate dresses in any vintage shop.

What they’ll get:

Forty-six pages of the grandest dresses and hats from the 15th and early 16th century. For slightly more recent fashion, check out the Baroque and Rococo coloring book by the same author. 

Tarot Cards: Adult Coloring Book (Stress Relieving Designs, Creative Fun Drawing for Grownups & Teens Relaxation)Tarot Cards- Adult Coloring Book (Stress Relieving designs, Creative Fun Drawing for Grownups & Teens Relaxation) book cover by Blush Design

Who it’s for:

The friend who’s always up for a reading.

What they’ll get:

Sixty-five pages of a wide variety of tarot card drawings. Designed to be shareable, each tarot card illustration is on a separate page.

Tattoo Coloring Book: An Adult Coloring Book With Awesome, Sexy, and Relaxing Tattoo Designs for Men and WomenTattoo Coloring Book- An Adult Coloring Book with Awesome, Sexy, and Relaxing Tattoo Designs for Men and Women book cover by Jade Summer

Who it’s for:

The tattoo enthusiast who’s always looking for new ink inspirations.

What they’ll get:

Twenty-five unique images, including several original designs. Each one is single-sided and includes an extra copy for do-overs, sharing, or alternative version.

Best Adult Coloring Book With a Cause

2019 Tempted & Tantalizing Coloring Book: Benefitting Bikers Against Child Abuse2019 Tempted & Tantalizing Coloring Book- Benefiting Bikers Against Child Abuse book cover by Janine Infanto Bosco and other authors

Who it’s for:

Your favorite biker and anyone else who likes to support a great cause.

What they’ll get:

More than 100 original drawings from the Tempted & Tantalizing Author Event in Staten Island, New York. All proceeds benefit Bikers Against Child Abuse.

Best Adult Coloring Books Featuring Nature Themes

Flora and Fauna: A Coloring Book for Adults Flora and Fauna- A coloring book for adults book coverby Karen Sue Chen 

Who it’s for:

The person who feels most at home among flowers, plants, and other natural elements.

What they’ll get:

Thirty-eight original nature-inspired designs, from buffalo to ostriches, feathers to crystals, and cacti to mushrooms. Each image is single-sided.

Island Life Coloring Book: An Adult Coloring Book Featuring Exotic Island Scenes, Peaceful Ocean Landscapes and Tropical Bird and Flower Designs Island Life Coloring Book- An Adult Coloring Book Featuring Exotic Island Scenes, Peaceful Ocean Landscapes and Tropical Bird and Flower Designs book coverby Coloring Book Cafe

Who it’s for:

The person who’d always rather be at the beach.

What they’ll get:

Twenty-five drawings of tropical island scenes, designed to inspire and relax. Each image is single-sided.

Flowers and Girls: Coloring Book for Girls (Relaxing Coloring Book for Adults)Flowers and Girls- Coloring Book for Girls (Relaxing Colouring Book for Adults) book cover by Sakiyo Enjoji 

Who it’s for:

Anyone who loves flowers and frills and all things pretty.

What they’ll get:

Ninety single-sided pages of intricate illustrations. As a bonus, this book is also perfect to share with kids.


Before you finish your shopping, check out these Book Riot-recommended literature-themed coloring books and coloring books designed to combat stress and anxiety.