The holidays are upon us, so perhaps you’re out there rushing to get some last-minute gifts. Beyond Jefferson biographies and Mark Twain novels, the publishing world has a lot to offer in the way of physical books, books that will guarantee to satisfy a wide range of people including your father, your mom, your sister, brother, grandfather, grandmother, etc.. – there are plenty of books out there that can have a personal touch.
1) Gift Books – Books that are best to hold in your hand
Yes, what you see in this picture is an actual graphic novel, which only costs about $30!
Some Recommendations: Building Stories by Chris Ware
The Outdoor Museum by Margery Gray Harnick and Sheldon Harnick
Wreck This Journal (Duct Tape Edition) by Keri Smith
If you look at the picture to your left, you can see a copy of Building Stories by Chris Ware. Yes – your book can do that! Which is why this “book” provides a uniqueness to any gift-receiver. It actually tells a story too, a story that may be perfect for TwentySomethings or those finding themselves in the need of a companion.
Books like The Outdoor Museum and Wreck This Journal have their own qualities unique upon themselves. The Outdoor Museum (published by Beaufort!) comes with an audio CD and breathtaking pictures of the NYC life. Wreck This Journal is not only a gift book for writers but people who believe creativity can go a long way.
2) Cookbooks – For the inexperienced cooks, the newbie cooks, the professional cooks, the coffee drinkers, and more!
Some Recommendations: The Oxford Companion to Beer by Garrett Oliver and Tom Colicchio
Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust by Ina Garten
Michael Symon’s Carnivore: 120 Recipes for Meat Lovers by Michael Symon
In today’s world, at least in the Western World, food and what kind of food a person likes comes with their personality. There are vegans, carnivores, vegetarians, Sushi-eaters, Barbecue-eaters, etc. There are also coffee drinkers, beer drinkers, wine drinkers, soda drinkers, and the list goes forth.
That way, giving a coffee or drink book can be the most personalized gift, and obviously, different cookbooks suit different subsets of people. For example, The Oxford Companion to Beer can be a hearty gift for the college student and grandparent alike or Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Foolproof is a superb guide for the younger generation who are trying to get their foot in the door of properly planning meals or cooking in more efficient or cheaper ways.
3) Music Biographies/Memoirs – Memories and Music go hand-and-hand.
Some Recommendations: Bruce by Peter Ames Carlin,
Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir by Cyndi Lauper
Just Kids by Patti Smith
Who I Am: A Memoir by Peter Townshend
Typically, the case is that your father or mother, for example, have every single Bruce Springsteen record. But, do they have the latest book ABOUT Bruce, suitably called Bruce, written by Peter Ames Carlin?
Some of people’s fondest memories can be that concert they saw back in 1979 when Bruce didn’t have a receding hairline and was yet to be considered the greatest patriot of the land? Or, perhaps, you attended a The Who concert with your mom? All of these biographies and memoirs infuse the personal into gift-buying because, well, music is personal.
Have any other books that are great for gifts? Let us know in the comments!
Tags: awesome books, Books, bruce springsteen, building stories, cookbooks, gifts, holiday shopping, last minute, oxford guide to beer