BEST BOOKS

Every year, your gift list gets longer.

Some of the newbies on your list are also new to the family. Some are friends to whom you’ve grown close. There’s that neighbor who’s so awesome, the new supervisor at work, an uncle who’s visiting this year, your child’s new teacher, and a Secret Santa program you’ve joined. And usually, you’re able to keep up with your list and know exactly what to give… but then there’s that one person who’s so hard to shop for.

Why not give a book? Books never run out of batteries, they don’t have to be turned off before bedtime, and they’re totally calorie-free. Take a look at these suggestions…

FICTION

If historical fiction is of great interest to someone on your gift list, then look for “Desert God” by Wilbur Smith. This novel, set in ancient Egypt, includes a hero who is very close to the Pharaoh… almost too close.

The Neil Gaiman fan on your list is in luck this year: first, “The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains,” is a novel with aspects of graphic novels and the flair that Gaiman fans relish. And your giftee will know that this years’ best gift came from you when you wrap it up with “The Art of Neil Gaiman” by Hayley Campbell, a book filled with notes, artwork, poetry, reflections, and more from The Master.

Western lovers will love reading “The Ploughmen” by Kim Zupan, a story of a green lawman and the older jailed killer he’s tasked with watching. Wrap it up with “Painted Horses” by Malcolm Brooks, a novel with a modern setting and a romantic spin.

For the suspense fan who loves a little ghost story, too, how about “Haunted” by Randy Wayne White? This suspense novel features White’s newest character, Hannah Smith, who is tasked with saving a supposedly-haunted house. Wrap it up with “Remains of Innocence” by J.A. Jance, a suspenseful novel about a dying woman and her money, a dead man and a scandal, and the sheriff who must solve both terrible cases.

The thriller fan on your list will love “Mercy 6” by David Bajo, a novel about a mystery disease that’s killing people in a California hospital – or is it? Grab this one, and toss “Bones Never Lie” by Kathy Reichs, in the bag, too. It’s a novel of suspense featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan.

For the reader who loves faction (fact + fiction), you’ll want to find “The True and Splendid History of the Harristown Sisters” by Michelle Lovric.

GENERAL NONFICTION

There is absolutely no trivia fan in the world who could be without “1,339 Quite Interesting Facts to Make Your Jaw Drop” by John Lloyd, John Mitchinson, and James Harkin. This totally fun book is filled with I-didn’t-know-that facts that practically beg to be read aloud. It’s the kind of book you want to take on the ride to Grandma’s this holiday, so you can share it on the road.

If there’s someone on your gift list who likes to poke the bear and stir up trouble, then “Villains, Scoundrels, and Rogues” by Paul Martin may be the right thing to wrap. This book is filled with short chapters on all kinds of real-life troublemakers and shady citizens.

What makes a good love last? Someone on your gift list wonders that same thing, and in “Love Cycles” by Linda Carroll, she (or he!) will find the answer. Wrap it up with two tickets to anywhere, and wish the happy couple well.

The gardener on your list is going to go wild for “A Garden of Marvels” by Ruth Kassinger. This is a book about the secret lives of plants: what they eat, how they mate, and how they grow. Wrap it up with a trowel and a few packages of seeds, for a nice promise-of-spring gift.

The outdoorsman on your list doesn’t need another pair of hand warmers or wool socks – so wrap up “The Three-Minute Outdoorsman” by Robert M. Zink instead. This book is full of short, just-a-few-pages essays on hunting, fishing, and nature, and (believe it or not) science. He (or SHE!) is going to love this book.

For the True Crime aficionado, “Death Dealer: How Cops and Cadaver Dogs Brought a Killer to Justice” by Kate Clark Flora might be the most thrilling gift she opens this year. It’s the story of a missing woman, murder, and the cooperation between law enforcement departments in two countries.

Your connoisseur of cocktails will love opening “Bourbon: A History of the American Spirit” by Dane Huckelbridge. This book takes a look at this drink that’s older than you think, and uniquely American. Pair it up with a couple of good glasses and “Moonshine Nation” by Mark Spivak. It’s a history of the spirit, and your giftee will absolutely love that it contains party-worthy recipes!

The animal lover on your list will sit up and beg for “Animal Madness” by Laurel Braitman. It’s a book about how neurotic, anxiety-ridden, misbehaving animals – domestic and otherwise – may hold clues to our own behavior. Pair it up with “Wild Connection” by Jennifer L. Verdolin, a book about animal courtship and how we’re more like them than we know…

For the spiritual person on your gift list, “The Grateful Table” by Brenda Knight, foreword by Nina Lesowitz will be an excellent book to wrap up. It’s filled with prayers, graces and thoughts meant for mealtime, but not only. Your giftee will be more than welcome to use it anytime… maybe even right after it’s opened! Pair it up with “Having the Time of Your Life: Little Lessons to Live By” by Allen Klein, a book of quotations to further enhance joy.

The movie buff on your list will eat up “The Zombie Book: An Encyclopedia of the Living Dead” by Nick Redfern, with Brad Steiger. It’s filled with entries on the genre, including directors, plots, and TV shows.

One more thing for your movie buff: “The Sci-Fi Movie Guide” by Chris Barsanti. It’s packed with SF goodness, facts, and bios, and when you add in a DVD of your favorite oldie-but-a-goodie, you know it’ll be the best thing beneath the tree.

HISTORY

The Royal Watcher on your list might like watching back a few hundred years with “How to Ruin a Queen” by Jonathan Beckman. This book is about Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, their lives and times – but it also focuses on a true crime mystery of missing diamonds.

World War II buffs probably have shelves and shelves of books about the War, but here’s an unusual book that might work as a gift this year: “The Dog Who Could Fly” by Damien Lewis, It’s the tale of a two-legged airman and his four-legged co-pilot, a small German shepherd that accompanied his human on many flights and even saved his life. Pair it with “War Dogs” by Rebecca Frankel, a book filled with tales of four-legged heroes and their fellow (human) soldiers.

For the veteran in your life — or for the historian who studies the Vietnam War, look for “Defiant” by Alvin Townley. It’s the story of eleven POWs held in Hanoi during the war, how they survived, and what happened to them (and their families) in the years since their release.

BIOGRAPHIES and MEMOIRS

Surely, there’s an adrenaline junkie on your list who will relish the chance to read “Alone in Antarctica” by Felicity Aston! This memoir from the first woman to ski across the globe’s southern-most continent all by herself is filled with danger, adventure, and everything armchair daredevils want. Pair it up with “A World of Her Own” by Michael Elsohn Ross, which is absolutely filled with adventure through profiles of 24 women explorers from years ago and today.

Stefani Germanotta. If that name means something to someone on your gift list, then you’ll get a lot of smiles when you give “Lady Gaga: Born to Be Free,” an unauthorized biography by Jake Brown. This book takes a good look at the Lady herself, her fans, her career, and yes, there are pictures inside.

For the person who loves compelling memoirs, “The Answer to the Riddle is Me: A Memoir of Amnesia” by David Stuart MacLean could be the best gift ever. It’s the story of a man who lost nearly every memory he had and his journey, not only back home to America, but to the life that almost disappeared forever.

The romantic soul on your list will LOVE “Romance is My Day Job” by Patience Bloom. Bloom is an editor at romance-novel giant Harlequin, but she’d never found love herself. She’d given up on it, in fact, until a tiny little chance encounter changed everything.

AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS

For the beauty on your gift list, wrap up “Bill Duke’s Dark Girls,” photography by Barron Claiborne, interviews by Shelia P. Moses. This wonderful book showcases the beauty of women in many skin tones, and the feelings they have for their unique color.

You may need to find a gift for the historian who has everything, so look for “Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In” by Nancy Noyes Silcox. Except for the fact that it has an abundance of pictures and a great timeline, the title says it all.

LITTLE KIDS

I seriously don’t think I know one little kid who doesn’t like a bedtime story. Heck, I like a bedtime story, and I liked “Day is Done: Prayers and Blessings for Bedtime” by Elena Pasquali, illustrated by Natascia Ugliano. This is one of those books that can be read quietly for a soothing night-night, both for adult and for child.

Board books are always great gifts for the smallest person on your list, and “I Love Hockey” is just right for the future sticks fan. And keep this one in mind: “Little Birthday,” a book of riddles. Yes, unlike most board books, these two have a good amount of narrative, so they’re also presents you can read aloud.

Who has enough books? Not your giftee, and not the kids in “The Children Who Loved Books” by Peter Carnavas. It’s the tale of too many and too few, but having enough of the important things. Wrap it up with “If You Wish” by Kate Westerlund and Robert Ingpen, a beautifully illustrated story of a little girl who learns that books can take her to all kinds of places without even leaving her house.

For the child who loves making friends, you can’t go wrong with “Jenny & Lorenzo” by Toni Steiner and Eve Tharlet. It’s the tale of a mouse and her very unusual friendship with someone who wants to have her for dinner.

MIDDLE GRADERS

The budding politician (or the 7-to-13-year-old current events fan) will love owning “The U.S. Congress for Kids” by Ronald A. Reis, foreword by Rep. Henry A. Waxman, afterword by Rep. Kristi Noem. This book includes history, stats, facts, pictures, graphs, and activities that underscore what your child learns. This is a great gift for the kid who just returned from or is going to visit the Capital this year.

If there’s a mystery lover on your list, then look for “Somebody on this Bus is Going to Be Famous” by J.B. Cheaney. A strangely empty bus stop. A bus full of kids, each with one clue.

“The Original Folk & Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm” translated & edited by Jack Zipes, illustrated by Andrea Dezso may be a challenge for kids this age.

Young science fans will devour “Before the World Was Ready: Stories of Daring Genius is Science” by Claire Eamer, pictures by SA Boothroyd. It’s a book about scientific theories that were originally ridiculed (along with their creators) and how those unfortunate men were eventually vindicated.

For the lover of espionage, “Top Secret Files: World War II” by Stephanie Bearce will be a great gift.

TEEN READERS

Teen readers who love futuristic novels will love “The Scavengers” by Michael Perry. It’s the story of a young woman who’s left behind by her family when they leave town, and the only way she can survive is by scavenging – alone. Excitement. Danger. What more could your teen want? Wrap it up with “The Girl From the Well” by Rin Chupeco for a gruesome gift duo.

For the teen who enjoys history, or for a diary-keeper, “Yoko’s Diary,” edited by Paul Ham might make a great gift. This is the true story of a 13-year-old Japanese girl who lived near Hiroshima during World War II. I also liked “Colonial Comics: New England, 1620-1750,” edited by Jason Rodriguez. It’s a graphic book (a sort of comic book, if you’re wondering) about the early years of America, written by various authors and illustrated by various artists.

So your teen has loved The Wizard of Oz since toddlerhood? Then wrap up “Dorothy Must Die” by Danielle Paige. It’s the story of the anti-Dorothy — a girl named Amy, who’s been trained as a warrior.

Novel lovers will completely enjoy “Boys Like You” by Juliana Stone, the story of a girl with a guilty broken heart and a boy with a different sort of painful burden, and how they find each other to help mend the ache.

And there you are! A whole lot of ideas for that hard-to-buy-for person on your gift list. Best of all, if these ideas don’t fill the bill, then you can always give a gift certificate, or you can throw yourself at the mercy of your friendly bookseller. Yes, he or she is absolutely brimming with ideas for everybody on your gift list, so what are you waiting for?

Season’s Readings!