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FICTION Without a doubt, there’s someone on your gift list who loves a mystery. That means you’re going to want to wrap up “Heat Wave” by Richard Castle. When a real estate tycoon falls to his death on a New York City sidewalk, it’s obvious that he didn’t just fall. It’s up to Detective Nikki Heat to turn up the heat on NYC bad guys in this hard-bitten novel. Also try “The Big Wake-Up” by Mark Coggins (with a very noir 50’s cover). Need a unique book for someone who loves the out-of-the-ordinary? Check out “Death Wish” by Nicole Cleaver. Following a tragedy, a woman escapes to another life where nobody knows her background, and she tries to put her life together. When she meets a man she’s sure she can love again, well, let’s just say your giftee will want to take a bite out of this unusual novel. If your giftee loves historical novels, there are lots to look for this holiday season. “The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire” by C.M. Mayo is based on the true story of the reign of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico. “Lady Vernon and Her Daughter” by Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway is based on Jane Austen’s Lady Susan and is set in Regency England. Does anyone ever outgrow their love of the classics? If your giftee is a fan of Robert Louis Stevenson, then your gift will be the favorite when you wrap up “Flint and Silver” by John Drake. A prequel to “Treasure Island”, this novel imagines what happened before John Silver and Joseph Flint met up in the classic. Hint: wrap it up along with a new copy of Stevenson’s book for arrrrgreat gift. Maybe someone on your gift list is missing home. Show her you understand by giving her “Evenings at the Argentine Club” by Julia Amante. This is a book about family, generations, and loving those who love you. Also look for “Tell Me Something True” by Leila Cobo… that’s a book about family, secrets, and things you never, as a child, want to know. What will the world be like two generations in the future? If you’ve got to find something for your favorite science fiction fan, then find “2045: A Story of Our Future” by Peter Seidel. This novel – part fiction, part call-to-action – will make your giftee think, and it might even scare him to action. For further hair-raising reading, wrap up “The Touch” by F. Paul Wilson, a novel about a doctor whose new powers of healing with at a frightening price. What better way to celebrate the holidays than to read a book about Christmas? If that’s your sentiment exactly, then wrap up “Lakeshore Christmas” by Susan Wiggs. This seasonal romance is the story of librarian who needs a Christmas miracle. Hint: wrap it up for one of those gifts you need to give early. Another romance to try – although not a holiday novel – is “The Inheritance” by Tamera Alexander. Set in the untamed West, this is a novel about a young woman who moves to Colorado to make a fresh start and finds love. If a little international intrigue and a fast-paced, complicated story is exactly what your giftee will love, then look for “Condemned” by Jon Nicholas Iannuzzi. Set in New York, Russia, Columbia and Romania, this novel takes its readers on a whirlwind tour of the dangers of drug trafficking, organized crime, street dealers, and corruption. The holidays aren’t exactly the time for scary stuff, but if you’ve got a thrill-lover on your gift list, wrap up “Afraid” by Jack Kilborn. This novel (written by a popular author of mystery books) is the story of horror unleashed on a small town by an accident that was no accident. I won’t tell you who the author is, but sit down with a Jac(queline) Daniels before you open its covers. GENERAL NONFICTION Travelers – particularly those interested in old buildings and beautiful architecture – will love to read “Stories in Stone” by David B. Williams. This book discusses art, geology, old buildings, and more. If you’ve ever spied a gargoyle atop a building and wondered why he was there, borrow this book back after you give it. No doubt there’s a Drama Queen (or King) on your gift list. For her (or him), there’s no better gift than “How to Be Famous” by Heidi Montag & Spencer Pratt. This tongue-in-cheek book gives step-by-step tips on getting your name in the tabs and becoming The One Everybody Talks About. Hint: not just for grown-ups, your teen may get a kick out of this book. Trivia fans with a basketball interest will really enjoy reading “The Final Four of Everything”, edited by Mark Reiter and Richard Sandomir. This fun book is filled with argument starters and trivia on a variety of topics, including Lousy Husbands, Absurd College Nicknames, and Richard vs. Dick.  Another trivia-type book for fans of minutiae is “The Handy Geography Answer Book” by Paul A. Tucci and Matthew T. Rosenberg, which is also great for kids as well as grown-ups. The holidays are a lousy time to be sick, but if you wrap up “Perseverance: True Voices of Cancer Survivors” by Carolyn Rubenstein, you can give the gift of encouragement. This book features the words and hopes of high school and college cancer survivors and though it sounds like a downer of a book, it’s not. What it is, though, is inspiring. No doubt, there’s a country music fan on your gift list, and there’s no better gift to give than “The Garth Factor: The Career Behind Country’s Big Boom” by Patsi Bale Cox. Mostly about Garth, but containing other big names in country, this hefty book is a gift that will last awhile. Sometimes, a book can take you to other places, and if someone on your gift list is always dreaming of a vacation, wrap up “Inventing Montana” by Ted Leeson.  For the past twenty years, Leeson and a group of friends have spent their summers in an old ranch house in Montana, fly fishing and enjoying life; this book is about their vacations. Hint: wrap it up with a gas gift card and hopes of a great get-away. Also look for “Climbing Woodall Mountain” by Mississippi authors Stuart Green and Gregg Parker. It’s a book about two friends and the very un-ordinary challenge they tackle, complete with room to journal your own great adventures. This was the fortieth anniversary of Woodstock, and if you’ve got someone who still longs for summers of Peace and Love, wrap up “By the Time We Got to Woodstock” by Bruce Pollock. Complete with pictures and lots of memories, this book is groovy, man. Also look for “The Sixties” by Jenny Diski, which is a memoir as seen through the eyes of someone who lived through those psychedelic times; and “The Rock & Roll Book of the Dead” by David Comfort, which is a look at the lives of Hendrix, Elvis, Lennon, Joplin, and Morrison and their impact on our music. While it may seem like an odd gift to give this holiday season, “Nontoxic Housecleaning” by Amy Kolb Noyes would surely be appreciated by anyone concerned about the environment. There are lots of good suggestions in here, all ideas that your going-green giftee will enjoy knowing. Also look for “Earth Talk” by E – The Environment Magazine and “Now or Never” by Tim Flannery.. Both of these inexpensive (and quick-to-read) books will help your green-thinking giftee be even greener. Looking for an unusual story for an unusual reader? Look for “Soul Survivor” by Bruce and Andrea Leininger with Ken Gross. Could young James Leininger be the reincarnation of a World War II fighter pilot? This true story is for your giftee to read and decide… The new-ager on your list will no doubt be overjoyed by this trilogy from Brad Steiger: “Beyond Shadow World” is newly re-released and is the third volume in Steiger’s Shadow World trilogy in which he discusses spirits and the supernatural. Then there’s “Real Vampires, Night Stalkers, and Creatures from the Darkside”, a book that’s, well, it’s about the things that go bump in the night. And finally (this is my favorite), “Real Miracles, Divine Intervention, and Feats of Incredible Survival”, co-written by Sherry Hansen Steiger. This fun-to-read book is filled with amazing stories that are surprisingly inspirational, and would also be a good book for anyone who believes in angels. If there’s a weather junkie on your gift list, here are two easy-to-give books: “Weather’s Greatest Mysteries Solved! by Randy Cerveny is a book about weather, history, and how one affected the other. This is a great book for science aficionados, too. Also look for “The Handy Weather Answer Book: Second Edition” by Kevin Hile. Better for kids or cumulonimbus neophytes, this book will also be welcome for people who love talking about the weather. Why is it that dads and granddads are always so hard to buy for? If that’s your dad or grandpa, then here’s an easy gift – “Soldiers Once” by Catherine Whitney. This is the story of Whitney’s brother, a Vietnam veteran who had isolated himself from his family, and it’s the story of the brotherhood and politics. Also look for “Little-Known Wars of Great and Lasting Impact” by Alan Axelrod. It will make your military historian smile. One more --- Civil War buffs will relish “Josie Underwood’s Civil War Diary”, edited by Nancy Disher Baird. This book, written when the author was a girl living through the Civil War and sympathetic to the Union, gives a non-soldier’s-eye view of the War Between the States, and it can’t be missed. Someone on your gift list always wanted to change the world, so why not wrap up a book about people who once did? “Before They Changed the World” by Edwin Kiester, Jr. is a book filled with mini-biographies of men and women who made a difference. Also look for “The Sharing Solution” by Janelle Orsi and Emily Doskow. This book, filled with useful ideas for saving money and community, really will make a difference and is a great group-gift. Holiday get-togethers can be fun… or not. If you’ve just about had enough of one another, then have “How to Hug a Porcupine: Easy Ways to Love The Difficult People in Your Life” on your bookshelf, just in case. This cute book will give you step-by-step ways to cope during the holidays and all the way into the New Year. Linguists and lovers of words will love ripping the paper off “Ifferisms” by Dr. Mardy Grothe. This book is part quotation, part word play, part anecdotal anthology, and all fun. Would your giftee remember where he or she was forty years ago on a Sunday? Chances are, the answer would be: gathered with the family around the TV. In “Sundays with Sullivan” by Bernie Ilson, fans of Ed Sullivan and pop culture will see how this one show changed music and the way we think about it. This book includes a lot of pictures and even more memories for Baby Boomers and their parents. Also look for “Watching What We Eat” by Kathleen Collins, which is a book about cooking shows then and now. So you’ve got a know-it-all pet lover on your gift list and you don’t know what to give. Look for “The Smartest Animals on the Planet” by Dr. Sally Boysen. This book is definitely not about humans; rather, it’s about birds who aren’t bird-brains, monkeys with better-than-human smarts, dolphins, rats, and more. Also look for “Guardians of Being” by Eckhart Tolle, art by Patrick McDonnell. This is one of those sweet gifty books that makes you want to go hug your four-legged family members. Also, now out in paperback, animal lovers will want to read “The Daily Coyote” by Shreve Stockton, a true story of love, danger, and living with a creature that’s wild at heart, set in rugged Wyoming country. Wrap it up with “Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time” by Richard Conniff, which is a book about adventures with dangerous animals both in water and out. Parents and dog lovers will want to read “Cowboy & Wills” by Monica Holloway. This is a story of a boy with autism and the pup who changed his life – and the life of his mother, who fell in love with a four-footed therapist. Hint: wrap it up with a box of tissue. That’s all I’m saying… No doubt, you’ve got a free spirit on your gift list (or, maybe someone who longs to kick off her shoes and dance). You know who she is, and I know she’ll love “Don’t Miss Your Life!” by Charlene Ann Baumbich. This book weaves faith, fear of failure, and fun together in a guide for making a life worth living and laughing about. Hint: wrap it up with a fun toy or joke book and get ready to share the enjoyment. If you know some lucky girl is getting an engagement ring this year, wrap up “The Everything Green Wedding Book” by Wenona Napolitano. This book of hints and tips isn’t your usual wedding book; instead, she’ll learn how to have an affordable wedding in an earth-friendly way. CAUTION: don’t spoil her surprise. Make sure she’s got the rock before giving this book. Does it seem, every holiday, that a lively discussion of current events preceeds the feasting at your house?  If so, be sure to have “The Ultimate Peace: America’s Challenge in the Middle East” by Dr. Charbel E-H Moussa around. This book offers a unique look at what’s going on in the Middle East, as well as some suggestions to broker an end to war. Short and quick to read, it might settle (or ignite) more discourse. If there’s a doctor in the house (or a future M.D.), wrap up “In the Land of Invisible Women” by Qanta A. Ahmed, M.D. This book is about a female doctor from Great Britain who, after being denied a visa to stay in the U.S., accepts a job working in Saudi Arabia for The Kingdom. Lush and exotic, this true story will appeal to anyone – doctor or not - who’s fascinated by this country half a world away. Also look for “Medicine, Miracles, & Manifestations” by Dr. John L. Turner. This book is a little different, in that it features a doctor’s thoughts on The Divine, the afterworld, and NDEs. Your history buff will truly enjoy getting “Time of the Rangers” by Mike Cox. This hefty book is all about the Texas Rangers from the beginning of the 20^th century through today. There are lots of pictures in this book, plenty of history, some cowboying, and – at over 400 pages – this is a gift that will last. Another book your history buff will love is “Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure” by Matthew Algeo. In this can-you-imagine? true story, Algeo tells about the trip that Harry and Bess Truman (yes, THAT Harry Truman) took all by themselves (no Secret Service) to visit friends and see the country. If you can believe it, they hoped not to be recognized. Fun, and a sign of those times, this book will appeal to anyone who loves quirky history. More for your history fan: “The Great Depression: A Diary” by Benjamin Roth, edited by James Ledbetter and Daniel B. Roth is book featuring a diary written by a lawyer who watched the world crumble and rebuild around him. And “The Branch and the Scaffold” by western novelist Loren D. Estleman is a true story about the west’s “hanging judge” Isaac Parker, who enforced the law with the tail-end of a rope. Your art lover probably won’t expect a book for a gift, so surprise him (or her) with “The Art of the Heist” by Myles J. Connor, Jr. This true story, as told by an art thief, is part biography, part adventure, part true crime, and all fun to read. FAMILY AND PARENTING Ever wonder about the people who care for kids? Read about nannies and their lives in “Just Like Family” by Tasha Blaine. This book isn’t a tell-all so much as it’s a tell-about, and parents will never look at their kids’ caretakers the same again. Hint: it’s also good for anyone thinking about becoming an au pair. For mothers who juggle career and parenthood, “Hard Time & Nursery Rhymes” by Claudia Trupp will be a welcome gift. This is the true story of Trupp’s double life, first as a mother and secondly as a criminal defense attorney who works with the worst hardened criminals. This book will make you laugh and gulp, and would also make a great gift for true-crime fans. Parents of children with special needs will want to read “Josie’s Story” by Sorrel King. This is a book about a mother who became advocate when her daughter’s medical care went seriously, terribly wrong. Also look for “The Horse Boy” by Rupert Isaacson, which is the story of a father’s search for the best care for his autistic son. If this is the first year with a new grandbaby in the family, then here’s a book that New Grandma will cherish: “Eye of My Heart”, edited by Barbara Graham. In this book, 27 writers penned their ideas and feelings – good and bad – about being a grandmother. Not just for brand-new Grandmas, this book would make a nice gift for one who’s got plenty of experience. Got teens? Someone on your list does – and he or she growls about it all the time. So smile, and give them “Teenagers Suck” by Joanne Kimes and R.J. Colleary (with Rebecca Rutledge, PhD). There’s sound advice in this book, and reading it won’t take quite as long as it takes to get through the Terrible Teens. Another book for moms of teen girls is “You’d Be So Pretty If…” by Dara Chadwick. This book helps parents to help their daughters love their bodies and their looks and Moms might learn a thing or two, too. If there’s a new divorcee (with a sense of humor) on your gift list, wrap up “Ask Me About My Divorce: Women Open Up About Moving On”, edited by Candace Walsh. In this book, several women write about the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to splitting. It’s funny and heart-tugging, and will make her smile. What happens after the baby? If you’ve got a new mother on your gift list, wrap up “Life After Birth” by Kate Figes. This book discusses what really could happen – the exhaustion, the emotions, and how her life will change. Hint: wrap it up with a nice restaurant gift certificate and offer to babysit. Also look for “The Gift of an Ordinary Day” by Katrina Kenison. It will show any new mother that easier times are ahead and that kids grow up too fast. Did someone’s life change this year because of the birth of a new baby? If so, show her you understand by giving her “Rattled!” by Christine Coppa. This cute book is about a woman who’s got a fast-paced lifestyle and a hunky boyfriend, until one day she realizes that she’s pregnant and her whole life is about to do a one-eighty. Hint: great book for single moms… And if Baby’s brand-new (or not yet here), look for “First-Time Parent” by Lucy Atkins. This common-sense book will help a lot of new parents in the first year and beyond.  And for first-time Dad, wrap up “Home Game” by Michael Lewis, a funny, heartfelt book about what really happens when Man turns into Daddy. And speaking of Daddies, “Do-Over!” by Robin Hemley is a book about a man who decides to go back to being a kid and re-visiting all those embarrassing things that happened when he was younger. Perfect for fathers of older kids and men with a good sense of humor, mothers will get a kick out of it, too. Also look for “Hell is Other Parents” by Deborah Copaken Kogan, a funny book about a mom who is also a photographer for families. BIOGRAPHY Vietnam Veterans and political junkies won’t want to miss “Heart of a Patriot” by Max Cleland (with Ben Raines). This is a book filled with bravery on many fronts and perseverance in life, and will make a perfect gift for a hard-to-buy-for dad, brother, or uncle. Got a fan of British history on your gift list? Then don’t miss “The Sisters Who Would Be Queen” by Leanda de Lisle. This engrossing biography about Mary, Katherine, and Lady Jane Grey includes drama, tragedy, and intrigue, just like a mystery… but it’s all true. The old-movie buff on your list will enjoy opening “Not the Girl Next Door: Joan Crawford, A Personal Biography” by Charlotte Chandler. This book, which includes interviews done with the diva herself, covers Crawford’s loves and her films. Hint: wrap it up with a DVD of “Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?” POETRY Is there a poet-at-heart on your gift list? Then look for “Generous Fiction” by Michael Cervin. Billed as “the anti-poetry poetry book”, this collection is quirky, fun, and would make a great stocking stuffer. GLBT AUTHORS Somebody on your gift list has a sense of humor. So wrap up “I Told You So” by Kate Clinton, because you know it will be a welcome present. This collection of essays is one of those books that will make your giftee call you to read passages aloud. Better yet, just borrow it back in the New Year. If you know a child who loves dress-up, then pick up “10,000 Dresses” by Marcus Ewert, illustrations by Rex Ray. In this book, a little boy dreams of beautiful dresses, and even though Bailey feels like a girl, everyone tells her otherwise. This cute book is perfect for questioning kids ages 4 to 7. If you’re looking for something very unique for someone on your gift list, look for “In Jupiter’s Shadow” by Gregory Gerard. This is a true story about secrets, devoutness, and what happens when someone pokes them both to learn more about himself. The music fan on your gift list will definitely want to read “Deflowered: My Life in Pansy Division” by Jon Ginoli. An inside story of the first openly gay pop-punk band in America, it will appeal to anyone who played air (or real) guitar. Hint: wrap it up with a new CD or concert tickets. Do you have a Drama Queen on your gift list? If so, give him (or her) more drama by wrapping up “The Collected Plays of Mart Crowley”. This book contains six complete plays, including “The Boys in the Band”, and it will make your theatre lover smile. If your giftee loves a novel experience, then be sure to give “Lois Lenz, Lesbian Secretary” by Monica Nolan. This novel is, well, it’s about a lesbian secretary and the world of working women with passionate desires. Do I need to say that it’s humorous? Do I need to say that this is a book you give, if nothing but for the hilarious title and cool cover? More gifts to look for: “Where the Girls Are”, edited by D.L. King, (an anthology of lesbian erotica), and “Verge” by Z Egloff (a quirky story of love, bad decisions, and filmmaking). AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS For any child age 10 to 14, “My Name is Henry Bibb” by Afua Cooper is a historical novel they’ll love. It’s the story of a young boy born into slavery and the life-changing events that made him think of escape. Hint: wrap it up with “My Name is Phillis Wheatley” by the same author. It’s a pretty safe bet that you’ve got someone on your list who loves music. So why not give him or her “Lawdy Miss Clawdy – The True King of the 50s – The Lloyd Price Story” by William “Dollar-Bill” Waller. Filled with pictures and memories, this book is all about Lloyd Price, his life, the people he knew (Ike and Tina! Fats Domino! Sam Cooke!) and his enormous contribution to music. Hint: wrap it up with a compilation CD or concert tickets. For anyone who wants an uplifting story as a gift, look for “What Else But Home” by Michael Rosen. This is the triumphant story of a family that adopted and “adopted” boys who had little, and gave them everything in the form of support, guidance, and love. Hint: wrap it up along with a donation to your giftee’s favorite charity for a double gift they’ll appreciate. If your giftee just needs a divine nudge in the right direction for the coming new year, how about giving “Making Great Decisions for a Life Without Limits” by T.D. Jakes. Using a spiritual approach to make sense of personal relationships, this book is good for both men and women who are looking for love in all the wrong places. Know somebody who’s struggling with issues of race – even though it’s the Twenty-First Century? If you do, then wrap up “Survival in a Sea of White” by Marcia E. Jones Cross, which is a story of one woman’s move from the familiarity of home to an environment of hostility and unwelcome. While it may be a little hard to find, it’s a great read for anyone of any race who struggles with hatred and lack of acceptance. Know someone who needs a good boost? For women, wrap up “Tears to Triumph” by Dawn Marie Daniels, Candace Sandy, and Dr. Jarralynne Agee. This book offers helpful stories, worksheets, insightful thought-provokers and plans to move past hard times and stay there. For men or women, look for “Family Affair”, edited by Gil L. Robertson IV.  Filled with essays from some of today’s best writers, entertainers, and thinkers, this book offers ideas and thoughts on being African American in today’s world, what it means, and how we can all reach a better understanding together. BUSINESS BOOKS Someone on your gift list is always coming up with great ideas. Nurture those notions by wrapping up “The Genius Machine” by Gerald Sindell. This book is all about turning simple ideas into money-making blockbusters. Hint: wrap it up with a nice journal and watch what happens…. Also look for “How to Salvage More Millions From Your Small Business” by Ron Sturgeon. If your giftee wants riches, this book is a great place to start. How does a businessperson get noticed? You can help by wrapping up “Step Into the Spotlight! A Guide to Getting Noticed” by Tsufit. Using show biz analogies and amazing real-life examples of big corporations who’ve stepped out on a limb to do something different, this book offers a step-by-step method of making a splash in business and in life. Bonus: it’s easy to read and fun, too. In this economy, it’s no surprise that someone on your list is thinking about starting a new business. Show your support by giving “The Accidental Entrepreneur” by Susan Urquhart-Brown. This book is filled with Wish-I’d-Known-That hints and tips from people who’ve been there and will definitely help on the business-building journey. Also look for “Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing” by George Cloutier. This book offers “rules” to follow to ensure that your business grows and succeeds in all the right places. If your giftee is in advertising – particularly if she’s a woman in a man’s world – she’ll enjoy reading “Ad Women” by Juliann Sivulka. This book is about women in advertising and how their decisions affect us all. It’s a great book for businesspeople, as well as anyone who’s fascinated by how ads influence consumers. Also check out “Rubies in the Orchard” by Lynda Resnick (with Francis Wilkinson), a book about branding and finding “hidden gems” in your company. All business owners want people to talk about their company – in a good way. Wrap up “Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3,000” by Pete Blackshaw, give it to the businessperson on your list, and ensure that the good stuff happens. Along the same lines, look for “It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For” by Roy M. Spence, Jr. This book is meant for anyone who wants their business to excel and make a difference. Believe it or not, your favorite entrepreneur has all he or she needs to be rich. Find out more by giving “Cash in a Flash” by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen. This is a book about filling the bank account when the economy and business is slow. There are lots of good ideas in here, and this book will make someone smile (and make them money). Take it a step further by wrapping up “Who’s Your Gladys” by Marilyn Suttle and Lori Jo Vest. That’s a book every businessperson needs, because it’s how to turn all customers – even the most trying ones – into big fans. New managers will enjoy getting “Leadership and the Sexes” by Michael Gurian with Barbara Annis. This book explains the science of gender and how knowing it can lead to success. Also look for “The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks. That’s a book about overcoming fears and getting ahead in life and in business. If your giftee has experienced a lot of change this year (or anticipates some in 2010), wrap up “Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change, 3^rd edition” by William Bridges, PhD. Revised to reflect a new work environment, this book includes thought-provoking quizzes to get that businessperson back on track in the new year. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who once loved to play the stock market, then wrap up “F Wall Street” by Joe Ponzio. This is an in-your-face, common-sense book about investing, and it includes lots of good ideas. Any businessperson who needs motivation needs “I am Potential” by Patrick Henry Hughes. Born with a rare genetic disorder, the author of this book doesn’t let anything stop him. Not only is this a book that puts things into perspective, but it’s also a darn good story. Also look for “Happiness from the Inside Out” by Robert Mack, which is about living a better life by knowing yourself from within. Every business owner loves it when those “EUREKA” moments happen. Help your favorite businessperson to get more of those by wrapping up “The Eureka! Enigma” by Ron G. Holland. This book unlocks the keys to complete success and is easy to read with small chapters. Also check out “Coaching and Mentoring” by Jane Renton because giving is a good way of getting. Because doing business means crossing the ocean sometimes, somebody on your gift list would appreciate a little help in that department. So here’s something to wrap up: “Africa: Strictly Business” by Rosalind Kilkenny McLymont. This serious book is a look at how business cultures work in Africa, including agriculture, technology, and medical advances. Hint: wrap this up inside a nice, airport-safe briefcase. Also look for “How to Say It: Doing Business in Latin America” by Kevin Michael Diran, EdD. This book is a must-have for anyone in business; it’s small enough to tuck in a briefcase or pocket, it includes etiquette and cultural things you should know, and it’s written in an easy-to-use format. The inventor on your gift list will truly appreciate getting “The Genie in the Machine” by Robert Plotkin. This provocative book promises to explain the new revolution in artificial invention (you read that right) and who will control tomorrow’s technology. WI / MN / IA There’s something incredible about an old building, especially if it was once a center for great cultural events. In the new book “Encore! The Renaissance of Wisconsin Opera Houses” by Brian Leahy Doyle (photographs by Mark Fay), you’ll read about the history of Wisconsin opera houses and theatre. Filled with pictures, this is an opera or theatre fan’s perfect gift. For another Wisconsin history book, look for “Steam & Cinders” by Axel Lorenzsonn. That’s a lush, huge book on railroads and railroading in the Dairy State. Surely there’s a fisherman on your gift list. So why not wrap up “Fishing for Buffalo” by Rob Buffler and Tom Dickson. This is one of those quirky books he (or, of course, she) will love… it’s all about fishing and eating those “throw back” fish. Hint: Wrap it up with a new tackle box or a few jigs for a great – and welcome – gift. Also look for “People of the Sturgeon” by Kathleen Schmitt Kline, Ronald M. Bruch, Frederick P. Binkowski, photographs by Bob Rashid. This is a book about Wisconsin, culture, and one ugly fish. Surely, there’s a dad, brother, or grandpa on your list who’s impossible to buy for, so why not buy “Sweet and Sour Pie: A Wisconsin Boyhood” by Dave Crehore? This quintessential memoir of 1950s Wisconsin (complete with gentle humor and oh-my-gosh-I-did-that-too memories) will appeal to anyone who lived then, loved it, or desperately wished they’d had it. The farmer on your gift list will definitely want to read “Blue Shadows Farm”, the new novel by Jerry Apps. This book is the story of a farm and the three generations that lived on and loved the land. Your favorite hunter or hiker will definitely love unwrapping “Great Lakes Nature Guide” by James S. McCormac and Krista Kagume. Filled with illustrations and information on animals, reptiles, fish, and fauna around our region, this book would be doubly welcome if wrapped with a pair of binoculars. Current events fans will love reading “Postville U.S.A.: Surviving Diversity in Small-Town America” by Mark Grey, Michele Devlin, and Aaron Goldsmith. This book takes a look at Postville, Iowa, and the struggles the town has infamously had with its kosher meatpacking plant. Not just for local readers, this book is also for anyone who wants to know how our country is embracing all cultures. Gifts this time of year are not just Christmas-related. If you’ve got a Hanukkah gift to get, look for “The Missing Paintings of Jesus as a Jew” by Clara Maria Goldstein. This skinny book includes inspirational verse and amazing paintings depicting the life of Jesus and his contemporaries. Not just for Jews, this book would be a very welcome gift for an art lover of any faith. CHILDREN’S BOOKS Do you have a star-gazer on your gifts list. If so, wrap up “Out of This World” by Jacob Berkowitz. Meant for young astronomers ages 7 to 11, this book has pictures and loads of information sure to put stars in their eyes. What three-year-old boy isn’t fascinated by big machines? If your little guy loves big tractors, then he’ll love “John Deere Big Book of Tractors” by Heather Alexander. This gigantic book is filled with photos and a surprising amount of read-aloud for kids up to age 6. If you’ve got a girl age 6 to 12 on your holiday list, you know how much she wants a horse. Give her the next best thing by wrapping up “The Mystery Stallion” by Sharon Siamon. In this, the first in the Wild Horse Creek series, thirteen-year-old twins Sophie and Liv are spending spring break in Arizona, taking care of their grandparents’ herd. But mystery is afoot and your young horse-lover will want to read all about it. Junior scientists will love to read “Hoaxed! Fakes & Mistakes in the World of Science” by the Editors of YES Magazine. Are crop circles real? What about aliens, Bigfoot, the “missing link” and Piltdown Man? Kids want to know. Wrapping this book up as a gift is no mistake. Also look for “The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents), Second Edition” by Gina Misiroglu. This easy-to-use book – a supplement to the first edition - will satisfy your child’s curiosity (and yours!) Big dreamers will enjoy reading “If America Were a Village” by David J. Smith, illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong. What would your town look like if America was boiled down to just one town? The possibilities are fascinating, and kids ages 7-to-12 with big imaginations will enjoy reading what’s inside this book. Also look for “How to Build Your Own Country” by Valerie Wyatt, illustrated by Fred Rix. Along the same lines, this is a great book for royalty-wanna-be’s. If you’ve got a baseball fan who also likes creepy things, look for “The Prince of Fenway Park” by Julianna Baggott. In this novel for (mostly) boys ages 10 and up, there’s a curse on the Red Sox and Fenway Park. It’s up to an orphan with guts to fix the problem. Another book for baseball fans is “Full Count” by Brad Herzog, illustrated by Bruce Langton. That’s a book for littler ball fans, ages 3 to 8. Another book that boys will want to read is “Swords” by Ben Boos. This beautiful book is filled with drawings and information about these ancient weapons. Also look for “X Doesn’t Mark the Spot” by Ed Butts. This book is about pirates, gold, buried treasure, and loot! It’s hard to find books for teenage boys sometimes, but “Stepping Up” by Mark Fink fills the bill nicely. This book about “average” Ernie is about life and basketball (not necessarily in that order) and is great for boys 12-to-15. For kids who love silly rhymes, you can’t go wrong with “My Teacher Dances on the Desk” by Eugene Gagliano, illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss. Kids 7-to-10 will enjoy the poetry in this book, and the drawings only add to the fun. For late-grade-schoolers who love camping, wrap up “Touch of the Tide Pool, Crack of the Glacier” by Mike Graf, illustrated by Marjorie Leggitt. This book, set in Olympic National Park, is another in the continuing adventures of the Parker twins and their parents, and includes real useful information for your adventurer. Also look for “Get Out!” by Judy Molland, which is a book about ways your child can enjoy nature and “go green”. If you’re looking for a gift for a little one who’s just learning about books, here’s a trio of great possibilities: “The Little Green Pea” by Alison Barber, illustrated by Paige Keiser is a rhyming story of a pea who wants to be a tree. For kitty-cat lovers, “Where to Sleep” by Kandy Radzinski is a cute bedtime story. And “Moose on the Loose” by Kathy-jo Wargin, illustrated by John Bendall-Brunello is a silly story, also in rhyme, about having an antlered one around the house. Being a kid isn’t easy, and bullying makes it doubly hard. If you’ve got a kid who’s struggling, “I Am Jack” by Susanne Gervay, illustrated by Cathy Wilcox may make him (or her) feel a little bit better. Jack is a boy who has it all, until a kid in school starts trouble. Hint: give this book to a teacher, too. Kids love fun-to-know science and “You Are Weird” by Diane Swanson, illustrated by Kathy Boake has it in spades. This book is filled with freaky facts about eyeballs, teeth, why kids don’t have tails, and what happens if they have extra body parts (or are missing others!) If you’re looking for a book that your younger child will enjoy but that your older kid will want to read, too, look for “B is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet” by Patricia Bauer, illustrated by David Geister. This book about the Civil War is actually written in two parts: a picture book for kids 2-to-8 and a history book for kids 8-to-12. Hint: you can’t go wrong giving this to a grown-up Civil War buff, either. If someone you know is getting engaged this year, here’s a book for little sister, cousin, or stepdaughter-to-be: “How to Get Married by Me and the Bride” by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Sue Heap. This cute book is about marriage, from the perspective of a little girl who has some pretty cute insight. Not only is this a good book for a little girl, it would also be a good shower gift for a big girl, too. What’s an allowance for, except to spend, right? How about spending it on “The Richest Kids in America” by Mark Victor Hansen. This book is all about kids who had great ideas and who made those ideas pay off. Wrap this one up for your young future tycoon or the next generation of businessperson in your household. If your fantasy fan isn’t finding books fast enough, then try “Children of the Dawnland” by Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear. This book, set in the Ice Age, is a good way to introduce kids ages 12-and-up to this genre and to these authors. Hint: it’s not just for kids. Adult fans of the Gear’s work will love this book, too.