Books make GREAT gifts
japra | Dec 07, 2008 | Comments 9
Sarah Laurence is hosting a “Blogger Book Boost”! Let’s do our part and help the sagging book sales this holiday season, shall we?
Not all of the books on my list are new titles. Instead, my recommendations include a sampling of books on topics that I talk about regularly on this blog.
Cooking
Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer: A Golden Treasury of Classic Treats by Jane Brocket
Home Cooking: A Writer in the Kitchen and More Home Cooking: A Writer Returns to the Kitchen by Laurie Colwin
My Favourite Ingredients by Skye Gyngell. Just got this one. Beautiful photos, interesting recipes.
Travel
Man in Seat 61 by Mark Smith. Mr. DJ loves this book and longs to have an extended train holiday. Smith also has a fabulous website.
Theatre
How Does the Show Go On: An Introduction to the Theatre by Thomas Schumacher and Jeff Kurtti. This is a fabulous, interactive book for kids interested in theatre (focus on musical theatre). A very interesting read and a fun book for adults too.
Wicked: The Grimmerie, a Behind the Scenes Look at the Hit Broadway Musical by David Cote. A must for Wicked fans.
London’s Theatres by Mike Kilburn (text) and Alberto Arzoz (photos). Full of West End history and beautiful photos.
Art and Writing
The Artist Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron. A classic.
A Writer’s Paris by Eric Maisel. What I read when I need a creativity boost.
I don’t own these three yet, but they’re going on my “Dear Santa” list:
Andy Goldsworthy: A Collaboration with Nature by Andy Goldsworthy
Rauschenberg: Art and Life by Mary Lynn Cotes
Joseph Cornell: Navigating the Imagination by Lynda Roscoe Hartigan
Mr. DJ’s List
John Le Carre and Alan Furst.
Roxi’s List
I asked Roxi for some recommendations for girls her age (nearly 14). She’s been reading a lot of non-fiction lately (me too, it seems), but she says she enjoyed:
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill
Here’s what she’s been reading recently. She says all are excellent:
To the Actor: On the Technique of Acting by Michael Chekov
Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre by Keith Johnstone
The Creative Habit: Learn it and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp
Don’t forget about bookstore gift cards, too!<
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About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
I haven’t heard of A Writer In Paris! I must check that one out! Wonderful choices here! Thanks a bunch!
Edward and I wish you a happy, warm Sunday!
Pamela–Oh, darn. I had a typo in that title. It’s supposed to be “A Writer’s Paris”! :-)
We had a nice Sunday, but the frost lingered. Very pretty! Happy Sunday to you and the very handsome Edward.
thanks for sharing your lovely booklist, I own a lot of the Rick Steves books myself. I’m impressed with Roxi’s list.
I want a review of Skye’s book. Why did you get that one and not the other? Just curious!
xoxo
I dont know about gifts, but you’ve given me enough reading ideas to last me a year! Thanks to all of you. :)
I’ve been working on my Book post, too! I like the twist you’ve put on it. A Writer’s Paris is going straight on my list!
Roxi has very sophisticated reading habits! My daughter seems to wallow in horrible teen books of the Gossip Girl genre.
Did you have a good weekend? We didn’t get any food scoop from you? :)
Christine–Glad you like Rick Steves too! I actually cut his books up when we travel. Doesn’t that sound awful? But it makes for a much lighter load! My husband was appalled when I first did it, but I think he’s resigned.
P-D–Will do when I get around to reading it. The only reason I picked this one up and not her other book is because it is brand new (probably not a very good reason, but oh well). Gyngell uses a lot of interesting ingredients, doesn’t she?
Laurie–We do read a lot! We each have at least eight books by our bedsides. I have at least one book in each place I sit for more than 10 minutes. I even have a book in the car that I read when I wait for Roxi to get out of school! Sad, huh?
Bee–Roxi doesn’t like Gossip Girl… She’ll read about relationships as long as they’re entwined in a fantasy or adventure novel. She likes nice thick books 400-500 pages. I just placed an Amazon.co.uk order for her Christmas books and am getting ready to submit Mr. DJ’s list. Weekend wrap-up and food scoop coming later today ;-)
JAPRA, I couldn’t resist the temptation of your and Bee’s lists this morning. What an interesting list full of books I haven’t read but now I’d like to read.
I’m with Bee and Christine in being impressed about your daughter’s reading choices. My 11 year old loved the Clique series and is now reading Twilight because all of her friends have. She’s read some better books for English class and her school book club. They are now reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (classic) and finished and loved The Mysterious Benedict Society. Everyone liked Spinelli’s Stargirl too.
Now I see that Tina at In the Garden has posted her list, but I shall resist temptation and get back to work on my novel. The reward will be reading more posts when I finish.
Sarah–Roxi loved “The Mysterious Benedict Society”! She is very into her acting and singing these days, as you can tell by her list. She spends many hours at the keyboard reading notes instead of words. However, Roxi inhales books while we are on holiday. She can consume a good four or five thick books in a week. And the weekend finds her lingering in bed for two hours in the morning to get a bit of fiction reading in ;-) This Book Bailout was such a fun idea. We should do this more often!