Juniper Books and The Wheel of Time

So the other day my husband and I were watching a YouTuber who was talking about recent trends in fantasy writing (no idea who, sorry) and Jeff spied in the background this dude's truly epic Wheel of Time cover set.

He tracked it down on Juniper Books, a site that is truly a bibliophile's delight, and within days the covers arrived at our house. Jeff got to work covering his books right away and even used special library-quality protective jackets to keep his new covers pristine.

Are these incredible or what? Makes me want to read these books.

Juniper has all kinds of sets- not just science fiction and fantasy but all genres for all ages and tastes. Joan Didion, the Beats, Bridgerton, Harry Potter are just a few of the series, authors and genres represented. Amazing gift potential, too!

The Narnia set may be calling my name... or Jane Austen. We'll see!

Boston Bibliophile's 2013 Gift Guide Part 3- Fiction!

OK, this is definitely my favorite part of Christmas book shopping- the novels. Novels can be tricky to pick out for someone else but a lot of times I think people over-think this particular segment of gift-buying. Most books are perfectly reasonable to read and most people don't get upset at the giver if the book doesn't work out- so don't worry so much, OK? Just pick something that looks like it makes sense even if it might not be the perfect fit. It'll be fine, honestly!

That said, here are my suggestions.

Joanna Trollope's updated Sense and Sensibility is an easy choice for the Jane Austen fan, the chicklit reader or the light-romance reader. And there's a lot of cross-over there!

The special boxed edition of Junot Diaz's How to Lose Her would be great for that hipster you bought that Nick Hornby book for.

Foodies and Francophiles will savor Jonathan Grimwood's solid and entertaining The Last Banquet.

For crime readers, I recommend Stav Sherez's A Dark Redemption, a gritty London noir and first in a new series. It's also one of the best 2013 books I read hands-down.

Italophiles have lots to choose from among 2013 releases. Sarah Dunant's Blood and Beauty recounts the Borgias with a racy and enthralling story of politics and love. Goliarda Sapienza's The Art of Joy is a historical-fiction feast from the 20th century, following the adventures of one woman through the century.  And Elena Ferrante's The Story of a New Name brings up to speed on the lives of two Neapolitan women at the beginning of the century and should be given and read with its prequel, My Brilliant Friend.

Some recent heavy-hitter releases perfect for the literary reader include Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch, Philipp Meyer's essential classic The Son (a western but so much more), and Eleanor Catton's Booker Prize winner, The Luminaries.

Other books I like for the literary reader that might not be on the bestseller table are:

A True Novel, by Minae Mizumura, an updated version of Wuthering Heights which reviews tell me is much more than a mere retelling;

James Purdy's The Complete Short Stories, and

Thomas Keneally's excellent The Daughters of Mars, about two sisters who become nurses during World War 1 (give it alongside Joe Sacco's The Great War). I loved the Keneally book in particular!


What are you giving this year? What do you hope to get? Any suggestions for science fiction readers, popular fiction, romance,
or anything else I've forgotten?

Boston Bibliophile's 2013 Gift Guide Part 2- History, Cooking, Graphica and More

Here I am back with more gift ideas. Today I'll tackle history, the cooking section and more.

For foodie lit, there are two I think are great. Provence, 1970: M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, James Beard, and the Reinvention of American Taste, by Luke Barr does what it says on the label, talk about some of the pre-eminent cooks and food writers of their day and their collision in 1970s France.

Also a big hit at the bookstore this year is Michael Pollan's latest, Cooked.
You might know Pollan from The Omnivore's Dilemma and other milestones of modern food thinking.

As far as cookbooks, the holiday season always brings out the heavyweights- Alice Waters has a new one, along with pretty much every celebrity chef. Yottam Ottolenghi's books have been selling like hotcakes too. But the only one I want is one that came out early this year, Beatrice Peltre's La Tartine Gourmande. This book is delectable to look at and to cook from. Her lime spaghetti is a staple on my table and lots of these will become favorites of yours or your favorite cook's too.

Over in the essay section, get Ten Years in the Tub, Nick Hornby's collection of his Stuff I've Been Reading column, for the hipster in your life. I promise an appreciative smirk in return.

The music fan's cup runneth over this holiday season. Morrissey's hotly anticipated Autobiography hit the shelves this week, joining a biography of Johnny Cash, and letters from John Lennon and Leonard Bernstein. Tony Fletcher's A Light That Never Goes Out would be a great companion to Morrissey's book!

Bio fans will also enjoy books from Edna O'Brien and Anjelica Huston and books about J.D. Salinger, Jim Henson and Ian Fleming.

In the history section, I love the looks of The History of America in 100 Objects- a great gift for your inlaws maybe?- and The Discovery of Middle Earth by Graham Robb, about the achievements of the Celts. I think either would make great gifts for that "I didn't know that" reader who likes to discover new things and ideas.

My Promised Land by Ari Shavit is required reading for current-events buffs and folks interested in the Middle East. This selection is not a sop to Hanukkah- I think readers of any background should read this essential book about Israel and its relationship to itself.

Finally I hope every one of you runs out for Joe Sacco's incredible and moving The Great War, a single huge, continuous illustration of Europe on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. This book works for graphica fans, history buffs, your dad, and everyone in between. Seriously, this will blow your mind.

Come back soon for my fiction picks!

Boston Bibliophile's 2013 Gift Guide, Part One- Fun Books

Looking over the offerings at the bookstore this season, I was simply overwhelmed with the choices, so I have to break my gift guide up into several parts. Today I'll cover nonfiction "fun" books- art, style, pets and more.

Last year we had the Big New Yorker Book of Dogs; this year they're giving cat lovers their due with essays, stories, comics and more about the best pets in the world. The Big New Yorker Book of Cats will be great for the cat lover in your life.

But if you or someone you love happens to love dogs, Shake, by Carli Davidson, is a fun photo book with pictures of 61 dogs shaking their little selves around. Cute. At the end there is a little making-of section too.


For the geek in your life, the "it" gift book of the
year has to be Guillermo del Toro Cabinet of Curiosities. This is a stunning volume including lots and lots of the artist and director's art, sketches, behind-the-scenes stories and more. Seriously-it's amazing.
 

Allie Brosh's Hyperbole and a Half collection is shooting fish in a barrel, but
if it's not on your radar it should be. Her blog is terrific and this collection highlights some of the best from her slice-of-life illustrated stories, including some not shown on her website. It's not as adult-oriented as the also-great Oatmeal collections but I would recommend it for teens and up.

Your favorite word-nerds will love Wordbirds, Liesl Schillinger's beautifully illustrated lexicon of modern neologisms. She includes things like Faceboast for bragging on social media, and Factose Intolerant, the practice of shunning foods of which you believe you're intolerant. Ha ha. I think Wordbirds would make a great gift for lots of people.


 For the fashionista in your life, Paris Street Style: A Guide to Effortless Chic, by Isabelle Thomas, is a fun collection of photos and light text on dressing and clothes that you can actually put to use with items already in your closet or easy-to-find staples. Oh, I can wear that with that? Yup!

One of the most beautiful literary gift books I've come across is Conference of the Birds as illustrated by Peter Sis. Sis is known for writing and illustrating childrens' books; Conference of the Birds is a classic 12th-century Persian poem about a time when all the world's birds gathered to choose a king. In paperback and at a very approachable $18, it would make a very nice present.

On the other side of the spectrum in price and presentation is the absolutely stunning The Vatican: All the Paintings: The Complete Collection of Old Masters, Plus More than 300 Sculptures, Maps, Tapestries, and other Artifacts. I can't think of a more impressive gift for that special art lover or Italophile in your life. It's a big heavy hardcover and clocks in around $75.00 but for the right person, it's worth it!

Part Two, coming later this week, will include history, cookery, music and graphica. Part Three, later still, will include my top picks for fiction. Stay tuned!

Boston Bibliophile's Holiday Gift Guide

Well Cyber Monday is upon us, so it's time to heat up the computers, smart phones and tablets and start shopping online in earnest. Unless you've already been doing that over the weekend. In that case, continue!

Here are some suggestions for gifts both bookish and fun for the reader in your life.

Fiction

 Some of the "it" books of 2012 are still out in hardcover. Any of these would be well-received.

• Canada, by Richard Ford; 
• Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn, 
• Telegraph Avenue, by Michael Chabon, 
• The Twelve, by Justin Cronin,
• Broken Harbor, by Tana French,
• Casual Vacancy, by J.K. Rowling, and
• The Yellow Birds, by Kevin Powers.

For the literary reader I'd recommend

• Alice Munro's new collection Dear Life: Stories,
• The Forgiven, by Lawrence Osborne, a sleek and page-turning suspenser,
• Bring Up the Bodies, by Hilary Mantel, this year's Booker Prize winner,
• The People of Forever are not Afraid, by Shani Boianjiu, set in Israel and focusing on female IDF soldiers,
• Sweet Tooth, by Ian McEwan, and
• The Watch, by Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya.

I recently read and loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, by Rachel Joyce, and though it's dark it's a wonderful story that I'd recommend to just about anyone but particularly fans of Helen Simonson's recent Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.

Some recent paperbacks that would make great gifts include

• Elza's Kitchen, by Marc Fitten, for foodies and Eastern-Europe buffs,
• Pure, by Andrew Miller, for historical fiction fans, 
• Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, by Ben Fountain, for readers interested in the Iraq War,
• Bossypants, by Tina Fey, a great, funny memoir,
• Drowned, by Therese Bowman, if your gift recipient liked Gone Girl,
• The Sense of an Ending, by Julian Barnes, last year's Booker Prize winner,
• Arcadia, by Lauren Groff, about the demise of a hippie commune and the fate of its members, and
• The Ghosts of Belfast, by Stuart Neville, for crime fans.

Ask your local independent bookseller for more and personalized suggestions!

Non-Fiction Gifts

My number-one, can't-miss nonfiction gift of 2012 is The Hare With Amber Eyes: The Illustrated Edition, by Edmund de Waal. This book has been a best-selling sensation for over a year now, and this gorgeous, lavishly illustrated hardbound edition should be in every gift pile this holiday season! The book is a great read about the history of a famous Jewish family, from the late nineteenth century through the present and the mountains of photographs, documents and other ephemera included in this version make it a real treat.

Deb Perelman's The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook is definitely the "it" cookbook of the season. Based on a popular blog, it's been flying off the shelves and is sure to be a hit for lots of cooks.

Polpo: A Venetian Cookbook is my pick for hidden treasure in the cooking department. It's a restaurant cookbook by chef Norman Russell, and it's one of the most beautiful books I've seen, with a gorgeous cover and beautiful exposed Coptic stitching on the spine.

For the baker, I love Laduree: The Sweet Recipes, by Philippe Andrieu. It's beautifully presented in a small, square box and the book itself is wrapped in tissue. It would make a lovely, thoughtful gift for the lover of sweets or all things French.

The conclusion of William Manchester's 3-volume opus on Winston Churchill, The Last Lion, is out now and this or the set would be a stunning gift for the history buff in your life.

The recent biography of musician Leonard Cohen, I'm Your Man, by Sylvie Simmons, would be a great choice for the music fan in your life.

It's also worth noting that Robert Massie's Catherine the Great is now in paperback but Steve Jobs alas is still hardcover only.

Humor and Pets

 

Francesco Marciuliano's I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats is a must-get for the cat lover in your life. I mean, just look at the title. I own this book and it's hysterical.

The Big New Yorker Book of Dogs is a no-brainer for the canine connoisseur you know. It's a big coffee-table sized book and wonderful.

Dan Wilbur's How Not to Read is also a great gift for the book lover in your life. It's so funny. Just get it, for yourself or a friend.

Bookish Gifts Besides Books-Etsy and Beyond

Etsy is a boon to the book lover. I don't know where else you can find so many customized and unique items for the bookish! All of the shops I'm spotlighting are favorites of mine.

Did you buy an e-reader, either for yourself or a gift, at one of this weekend's many sales? Don't buy the generic cover made by manufacturer. Get a one-of-a-kind design from one of the many artisans on Etsy. I bought a cover that I love from Elizabeth David Designs. She makes beautiful, sturdy and customized covers from her huge stash of gorgeous fabric. And she's very prompt and nice.

Great for a diary, scrapbook or what have you, I love blank notebooks "upcycled" from old book covers. You can find just about any book made into a notebook; I'm giving them out like popcorn this year to friends of all ages. One of my favorite Etsy shops for these notebooks is Heaven Sent Crafts.

One of my very first Etsy purchases was an Alice in Wonderland book purse from Chick-Lit Designs. I love my purse! It's so cute and always gets me noticed. She now sells iPad and other tablet and e-reader covers as well.

For something really different, find an art doll of a favorite fictional character, historical figure or author at Uneek Doll Designs. I have one of her Jane Eyre dolls; I love it! Artist Debbie Ritter makes beautiful, detail-rich miniatures of many, many people both real and imaginary and they are
wonderful!

Totes and Branded Gifts. Publishers Penguin and Melville House sell branded tote bags for the imprint fan in your life; both are high-quality, durable and very attractive.

Many bookstores- biggies like Powell's and the Strand as well as many of your local independent bookstores- sell branded totes, mugs, t-shirts and other goodies. If you know someone loves Porter Square Books in Cambridge (just to pick a random example *cough*) get them a tote and see their face light up!

Out of Print Clothing has a well-known line of totes, shirts and accessories featuring famous book covers like Lolita and The Master and Margarita. 

Reading Life  

OK. You've got your book. You carried it home in a great purse or tote, and you've got a cute doll or notebook to decorate your table. Now what? Now you need to curl up and read. 

Pick up perennial favorite Novel Tea from Bag Ladies Tea Co. for yourself or an easy office gift. At $12.50 for 12 bags, they're priced to give! Novel Tea is a yummy English breakfast blend of caffeinated black tea.

Protect that beautiful dust jacket with mylar covers to keep it safe from dust and tears. Demco, Brodart and other library suppliers have a great selection and good prices.

Hit a bargain store like TJ Maxx or Homegoods for pretty pillows, fun mugs and warm throws so your favorite reader can really get comfortable with that cup of tea!

For the crafty reader, consider a book-making kit. Lineco brand kits are sold in many arts and crafts stores and feature projects from Japanese stab-binding books, to checkbooks, to photo albums, boxes and blank journals. And that is but one of many brands of bookmaking kits and supplies!

Or give the gift of time. Take your friend (or child) out to a bookstore and a cup of something warm and yummy. Make a day of bookstore tourism and find a new-to-them-or-both-of-you store to explore. Use LibraryThing Local or IndieBound.org to find your next destination.

Finally, for the book lover who has everything, and the gift-giver with it all to spend, consider Paper Passion perfume, created by Geza Schoen, Gerhard Steidl, and Wallpaper* magazine, with packaging designed by Steild and Karl Lagerfeld, the latter of Chanel. Supposedly it smells like paper. $98.00 is a lot for a gag gift, but what the heck, right?