BOOKS: Holiday Wish List 2014!!

Once again it is time for Auntie Pattie Clause to come to your aid with last minute Christmas gift ideas.

Mike Greenberg’s ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR really surprised me. Men might be more familiar with Greenie as a sports analyst, but this is not a book about sports. It is a sensitive story of three women who face the challenge of cancer.  *Very readable and relatable.

Sue Monk Kidd gives a well crafted story of real historical figures mixed with characters who might have been involved with them in THE INVENTION OF WINGS. *Good coverage of some little known people who made a difference in our history.

Kurt Vonnegut is such an American treasure that any book of his, not previously read, would make a great gift. His LOOK AT THE BIRDIE is new, but for someone who has not read him, WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE is a good introduction. *Comments on life that still make sense.

John Green may be considered a teen author, but he is worth looking at no matter what your age. Any of his books would make a terrific gift. *Not just for the youth market.

Greg Iles has started his new trilogy with NATCHEZ BURNING, I personally was counting on the next book for Christmas, but it looks as if I will have to wait. Some of his books stand alone and some, as NATCHEZ BURNING, deal with Penn Cage and his family. Watch, if reading series in order makes a difference to you. *One of my favorite authors.

Judy Coopey has also started a trilogy with THE FURNACE. Again any of her books would be appreciated. I really loved her REDFIELD FARM. *A not-just-for-women author.

Bentley Little can be counted on for terrifying novels. THE COLLECTION is the most nightmare producing collection of stories I have ever read. *Bram Stoker Award winner-and deservedly so.

Oh, and gift cards are always safe and a treat for the bookaholics in your life.

PS, let me know if you get a book that you loved and we can share it. I am always looking for that “new “ author.

BOOK REVIEWS: 2013 Gift List

Like most of you, I keep a drawer of gift books in my spare bedroom. In that drawer are the little gift books that I find on sale and save to give instead of a card. A book is so much more personal, and if you watch for sales, they can be less expensive than a card.

Usually my stash consists of little books of inspirational quotes about love, faith, women, and the good things that make up life. Mister Rogers is often there, as is Thomas Kinkade, the “Master of Light”.

THE BLUE DAY BOOK by Bradley Trevor Greive is a regular purchase. As soon as I give it to someone, I hunt for another copy. Any of Greive's books fit my criteria, but this is my favorite. Subtitled “A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up”, the book is a series of animal photographs explaining that everybody has blue days. The captions are so perfect for each photograph that even if it is your worst day ever, you have to smile. Check it out, or wait until I know that you need cheering up and I give you my copy.

My other must have is by children’s author Sandra Boynton. Ms Boynton started as an illustrator for a greeting card company and went on to be a very successful author of books for young children…think BUT NOT THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. On her son’s graduation from high school, she wrote YAH, YOU for him. I love this book. It has been perfect for a friend who lost her job, for another friend  who was going through a divorce, and I cannot think of a better gift for a graduating student no matter the age. If you have a friend who is going through imminent changes in his or her life, you will want this lovely book.

Recently I was loaned Cynthia Rylant’s GOD GOT A DOG.This is a delightful collection of poems telling of God discovering the wonder and pain of the world He created. With titles like “God Goes to Beauty School” and “God Goes to the Doctors” you get an idea of the charming humor. My favorite was “Got Got Arrested”. Seems God was in this bar, he liked the jukebox, and someone said something about Jesus and that caused a fight. The lesson is “watch what you say about someone, he might have a relative nearby”. Adding to the fun are the illustrations by Marla Frazee. I know so many friends who will love this collection.

Of course any of these little books would be a good Christmas gift. As someone said of the Boynton book, “No chapters, no index, no graphs, no study guides”. Now that sounds like a perfect gift!  

This is your friendly reminder that Christmas is coming and many of us love to find books under the tree.

BOOKS: Annual Christmas List

Yes, boys and girls it is once again time for Auntie Santa to help you with your Christmas gift giving and to get a hint or two in for Auntie Santa herself. Starting with the young, especially the young in heart-- I find that some of the best books published are in this group:

THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak is still on my favorite- of- all -time list. No matter for what the age, this book is brilliant.

I really enjoyed THE HUNGER GAMES series by Susanne Collins. These books have actually been out for some time, but if not already read, a good choice for the futuristic fan.

Our granddaughter has asked for LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green. She has never led me wrong and from the reviews, this does sound good. Maybe she will loan me her copy.

I personally am excited that Justin Cronin’s follow-up to THE PASSAGE is out, and on the best- seller lists. The title is THE TWELVE and I am going to be checking under the tree for this one with my name on the tag.

Again for the reader who enjoys something different consider WORLD WAR Z by Max Brooks. Max is the son of Mel Brooks, so you know to expect something unusual. It has been around for some time, but I see that The New York Times has it on one of their list. It is definitely different!

For history buffs the selection is always rich. My husband read Bill O’Reilly’s KILLING LINCOLN and enjoyed it. He had been warned that the author may have taken some liberties with the facts.

Laura Hillenbrand’s UNBROKEN is the true story of a prisoner of war during the Second World War. I really got caught up in this one.

From the earliest days of our country comes UNWISE PASSIONS by Alan Pell Crawford. Taking his facts from letters and diaries, this book gave me a new understanding of some of our founding fathers. This was a fascinating read even for those of us who are more interested in characters than history.

Two “just good reads” were David E. Hinton’s KINGS OF COLORADO and Emma Donoghue’s ROOM. I loved both of these although they are very different. Either would be appreciated by the readers on your list.

A specialized book on my list would be I HAD BRAIN SURGERY, WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE? by Suzy Becker. This would be a good “up-lifter” for the reader going through any type of health problem. It is funny-- odd, but funny.

Remember the classics still work; after all, they ARE classics. With all of the publicity for the movie LES MISERABLES, and the local high school doing their production of it, it might be a good idea to go back to read the original by Victor Hugo. It has lasted over time for a reason.

The choices are so plentiful, but I am taking too much space. So, that leaves me with just enough time to mention four of my favorite authors and a bit of advice; try them. Greg Iles. I am waiting for him to recover from his accident and get done with his Penn Cage series.

Sharon Sala. Her books are sometimes OK and sometimes terrific. The terrific are worth waiting for.

Margaret Coel. If modern day Native American mysteries are of interest, give her a try. I cannot understand why she is not on every reading list.

Judy Coopey. Her third book will be out in January, but REDFIELD FARM and WATERPROOF are good choices.

My sincere wish for all of us is that we spend Christmas Day with a new book that we can NOT put down long enough to open the rest of our gifts.

BOOKS: Your Holiday Shopping Made Easy

OK, boys and girls, it is once again time for Auntie Pattie Clause to help you with your Christmas shopping; so listen carefully.*

For the showbiz autobiography fans: BOSSY PANTS by Tina Fey is a good read. She is funny and honest.

For the readers who enjoy a well written murder mystery: SISTER: THE NOVEL is a slightly different take on who did it. The ending should surprise you.

For ladies who want to read about country doctors in Ireland: Patrick Taylor has a delightful series, starting with, of course, IRISH COUNTRY DOCTOR.

For the person who reads David Baldacci: anything by Richard Montanari. His most recent, ECHO MAN, will keep you turning pages.

For the history buffs: Anita Diament’s DAY AFTER NIGHT is a story of the Jews being transported to a new land called Israel in 1945. Another good book from this time in history is SARAH'S KEY by Tattiana de Rosnay, based on a little known historical fact in France.

For anyone who just enjoys an interesting book: I AM THE MESSENGER by Markus Zusak. Zusak is considered a Young People author, but his BOOK THIEF is high on my favorite book list.

For the Biblical scholar: DISCOVERING THE PARABLES by Henry G. Covert is an excellent study guide. It should spark a lot of discussion in a class.

For the “I-am-not-sure-what- to-call-them” group: the second book in Justin Cronin’s trilogy, THE PASSAGE, is out. I really liked the first one, all 766 pages, and will read the other two. This group should also enjoy WORLD WAR Z:  AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE ZOMBIE WARS by Max Brooks. Max is Mel’s son so you know that the humor will be just a little off center.

Note to my personal Santa: Alice Hoffman’s THE DOVE KEEPERS looks good; SNUFF, a new Discworld book, by Terry Pratchett would be appreciated….love Discworld, and Nora Roberts has a new trilogy called Inn Boonsboro.

*Please feel free to place this list on the family bulletin board for all of the Santa’s in your house.