Books for Gifting Archives

Holidays on Ice

by David Sedaris

I included this collection of David Sedaris's holiday-themed essays (for the whole year, not just Christmas) in my list of 10 books that are especially good for giving this time of year. Seasonal favorites include "Santaland Diaries," in which he shares his experiences as a Macy's Santa, and "The Cow and the Turkey," in which the farm animals all choose Secret Santa names amongst themselves. Sedaris is not (repeat: IS NOT) for everyone, but if he's your cup of tea, you'll laugh until you cry.

Some Writer!: The Story of E. B. White

by Melissa Sweet

In this fully illustrated biography, two-time Caldecott Honor winner Melissa Sweet combines personal letters, photos, and family keepsakes with original artwork to tell the story of White's life, from his 1899 birth to his death in 1985. The publisher recommends it for grades 2 to 5, but I'm betting readers and writers of all ages will enjoy this beautiful tribute.

The Emotionary: A Dictionary of Words That Don’t Exist for Feelings That Do

by Eden Sher

From the publisher: "All her life, Eden Sher has suffered from dyscommunicatia (n. the inability to articulate a feeling through words.). Then, one day, she decided that, whenever she had an emotion for which she had no word, she would make one up. The result of this is The Emotionary, which lives at the intersection of incredibly funny and very useful. Chock full of words you always wanted/never knew you needed, often accompanied by illustrations of hilarious and all-too-familiar situations, The Emotionary will be a cherished tool for you or the world-class feelings-haver in your life."

Other-Wordly: words both strange and lovely from around the world

by Yee-Lum Mak

From the publisher: "Discover words to surprise, delight, and enamor. Learn terms for the sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees, for dancing awkwardly but with relish, and for the look shared by two people who each wish the other would speak first. Other-Wordly is an irresistible gift for lovers of words and those lost for words alike."

Press Here

by Herve Tullet

Susan Faust of The San Francisco Chronicle says, "The iPad generation expects interactive. But books can play too...It's so much fun to pretend that things are actually changing on command. No computer needed!"

Deep Run Roots: Stories and Recipes from My Corner of the South

by Vivian Howard

From the publisher: "Organized by ingredient with dishes suited to every skill level--from beginners to confident cooks--Deep Run Roots features time-honored simple preparations alongside extraordinary meals from her acclaimed restaurant Chef and the Farmer. Home cooks will find photographs for every single recipe. As much a storybook as it is a cookbook, Deep Run Roots imparts the true tale of Southern food: rooted in family and tradition, yet calling out to the rest of the world." Food and Wine calls it one of their "favorite new cookbooks... Vivian Howard overdelivers on the comfort food of her Southern home with drippy, crunchy, tangy dishes for every season."

In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs

by Grace Bonney

From the publisher: "Across the globe, women are embracing the entrepreneurial spirit and starting creative businesses. In the Company of Women profiles over 100 of these influential and creative women from all ages, races, backgrounds, and industries."

Upstream: Selected Essays

by Mary Oliver

The Washington Post says, The richness of these essays—part revelation, part instruction—will prompt readers to dive in again and again."

Fields of Battle: Pearl Harbor, the Rose Bowl, and the Boys Who Went to War

by Brian Curtis

From the publisher: "In the wake of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the 1942 Rose Bowl was moved from Pasadena to Durham, North Carolina, out of fear of Japanese attacks on the West Coast. It remains the only Rose Bowl game to ever be played outside of Pasadena. As the players and coaches prepared for the game, America was preparing for war. Shortly afterward, many of the players and coaches entered the military and would quickly become brothers on the battlefield. In one powerful encounter on the battlefield, OSC’s Frank Parker saved the life of Duke’s Charles Haynes as he lay dying on a hill in Italy. It was a game created by infamy and a war fought by ordinary boys who did the extraordinary."

Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas (Being a Jane Austen Mystery)

by Stephanie Barron

O Magazine says, "If you have a Jane Austen-would-have-been-my-best-friend complex, look no further . . . [Barron] has painstakingly sifted through the famed author's letters and writings, as well as extensive biographical information, to create a finely detailed portrait of Austen's life—with a dash of fictional murder . . . Some of the most enjoyable, well-written fanfic ever created."

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