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Sparkle (2)
As a reader, one gift that I always appreciate is a book ... so, of course, I hardly ever receive them. People are often worried that they'll get me a book that I've already read or own, or they just simply just don't know what books to get. The end result is that I hardly ever receive books as gifts. Let me say it loud and clear - a reader would rather receive a book that they've already read rather than never receive a book at all. If you are struggling with idea for what books to buy for the reader in your life this year step on up. I've got plenty of ideas for you.
For the obscure fact lover or science geek - The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean. This book has everything you never knew (or never knew that you wanted to know) about the periodic table of the elements. It's not hard science but stories about hard science which is my favorite kind of science book.
For the biography and memoir lover - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot or Autobiography by Mark Twain, Volume 1. The biography of Henrietta Lacks is one of the hottest books of the year. Even Oprah is on board and working to turn it into a made-for-tv movie. I feel a bit bad putting Twain's biography on here because it just may be the hardest book to procure this year. If you can get your hands on a hard copy you are one lucky individual. If not, it's available as an e-book as well.
For the inner-rocker - Just Kids by Patti Smith and Life by Keith Richards. Smith won a National Book Award for her book and Richards got a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.
For the historian - Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resiliance, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand and A Secret Gift: How One Man's Kindness - and a Trove of Letters - Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression by Ted Gup. You might recognize Hillenbrand's name since she was the one that brought us Seabiscuit. A Secret Gift speaks to the spirit of the season as it reminds us even a small kindness can make a difference in a person's life.
For those who like books that are just a little bit scary - The Passage by Justin Cronin and Horns: A Novel by Joe Hill. Yes, Cronin's book is about vampires, but I promise you his don't sparkle. It's also the first book in planned trilogy so you'd have ample gift-giving opportunities in the future with this selection. Joe Hill is the expected heir to the creepy book throne -- it would be hard not to be when Stephen King is his father. He's earning that throne though, as he mixes his father's preferred genre with his own voice and style.
For the literary fiction fan - Room by Emma Donoghue, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel by Helen Simonson or The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi Durrow. All three novels have heaps of praise, and Donoghue even hit the the shortlist for the Man Booker Prize. Donoghue's book is narrated by a five-year-old boy who has never left the room where he and his mother are being held hostage. Major Pettigrew is more of a British comedy of manners with a twist. I think it would be a hit with Wodehouse fans. The Girl Who Fell from the Sky is the story of the daughter of a Danish woman and an African-American GI who stuggles to find her own identity in 1980s Portland, Oregon.
For the mashup fan - Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Stephen Hockensmith and Jane Slayre by Sherri Browning Erwin. Dawn of the Dreadfuls is a prequel to Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and
