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The Holiday Gift Guide – Part 2
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Truth Contributor
The mistletoe is hung, and so are the garlands, the
ornaments, window decorations, and lights. You’d be ready
for the holidays, too, if you weren’t hung up on a gift for
that one certain person.
Now what? Now head to the bookstore with this column
in-hand, and look for one of these great books….
HEALTH & MEDICINE
For the giftee who loves to study humans and what makes then
tick, The Fear Factor by Abigail Marsh is
going to open eyes. Yes, there’s a darker side of humanity
and March exposes it. It all has to do with fear, and she’ll
explain how. Speaking of fear (and the lack thereof), wrap
it up with On Call in the Arctic by Thomas J. Sims,
a memoir of a doctor’s life in the Alaskan frontier. You may
want to put Tooth and Nail by Linda D. Dahl
with it, too; that’s a book about a woman who became a
ringside doctor in New York City.
If you know someone who has surgery planned this year, give
Counting Backwards by Henry Jay Przybylo, MD.
Dr. Przybylo is a pediatric anesthesiologist, and he not
only shares stories in this book, but he’ll also put a mind
to rest. (Hint: even if your giftee isn’t having surgery,
it’s still a don’t-miss). Pair it with The Pain
Companion by Sarah Anne Shockley, a book about
living with pain.
For the person who asked for a genealogy test, wrap it up
with She Has Her Mother’s Laugh by Carl Zimmer.
It’s a book about heredity, genetics, and what you
inherit from your family and your family’s family. Also look
for Because I Come From a Crazy Family by Edward
M. Hallowell, MD, a memoir about inherited afflictions,
childhood, and the ways that even a beloved family can be a
challenge.
The forever dieter might enjoy reading The Weight of
Being by Kara Richardson Whitely. It’s a book about
being overweight, losing a whole lot of weight, and finding
out why we fat-shame in America.
If there’s someone on your list this year who’s suffered
tragedy after tragedy, a gentle reminder that things will be
better is Resilience by Linda Graham, MFT. Its
subtitle says it all: it’s filled with “Powerful
Practices for Bouncing Back from Disappointment, Difficulty,
and Even Disaster.”
For the person who loves to read about cutting-edge
medicine, wrap up The Breakthrough by Charles
Graeber. It’s about what’s new in the effort to cure
cancer with immunotherapy. Pair that good news with
Sound: A Memoir of Hearing Lost and Found by Bella
Bathurst, for medical updates you should hear.
The giftee who loves to read about bravery in the face of
illness will want We Know How This Ends: Living While
Dying by Bruce H. Kramer with Cathy Wurzer, which
couldn’t be a better gift. Until his death in
2015, Kramer had ALS, but it didn’t stop him: he was a
teacher, a blogger, and a radio personality at the end of
his life. This book was published just after Kramer died.
Pair it with I Found My Tribe by Ruth Fitzmaurice,
a memoir about Fitzmaurice’s family, including her
husband, who has ALS.
And here’s a book you might to buy for yourself this year:
Guardianships and the Elderly: The Perfect Crime
by Dr. Sam Sugar. It’s about the various ways that
guardianship can go wrong, how to recognize any problems,
and how to deal with them.
For the diabetic on your gift list, a copy of Hardhead
Diabetic in a Nutshell by Rica Rich might be the
thing to unwrap. This book takes a look at new treatments
and old ideas; it dispels myths, and offers nutrition
information.
DEATH & DYING
Loss doesn’t stop during the holidays. If your giftee needs
any kind of comfort, try The After Death Chronicles
by Annie Mattingley. It’s a book filled with stories
of everyday people who were surprised to receive
communication from “beyond the veil.” If your loss was a
child, then pair it with The Unspeakable Loss by
Nisha Zenoff, PhD, which is a book especially for
parents.
The history buff who is also interested in historical
cemeteries will want to read Birth of a Cemetery
by John F. Llewellyn. It’s the story of the beginning of
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, but it’s also somewhat of a
history of California and of fame as well.
HISTORY
In the middle of World War II, when armed personnel were
needed more than ever, the U.S. Army Air Forces finally
allowed something that was long overdue: they let their
1,100 female pilots in the air. In Fly Girls by P.
O’Connell Pearson, your giftee will read about the brave
service of those women and how they did what they did – with
less pay, harder duty, and no military benefits.
For the political watcher, there’s a lot to choose from this
year. One of the neutral books you can give is Partner
to Power by K. Ward Cummings. It’s a book about the
people who have surrounded Presidents, listened to them, and
advised them on matters large and small.
If your giftee has devoured everything on Custer, hold on.
Have they read Thieves’ Road by Terry Mort
yet? It’s a book about why Custer focused on the Black
Hills and it’s your golden opportunity for more on the
soldier and the battle. On a similar note, horse lovers who
also crave history books will love to have Ghost
Riders by Mark Felton, a book about saving white
Lipizzaner horses during World War II.
Here’s a book steeped in history, and it may be perfect for
someone on your list: Our Year of War by Daniel P.
Bolger. It’s history, but the unique thing is that it’s
also a memoir about two brothers who end up in Vietnam
together. One was a supporter of the war. His brother was
not. It’s a book about bravery, differences of opinion, and
brotherhood, both in war and at home. For another side of
the coin, look for In Search of the Lost Chord by
Danny Goldberg, a look at the Hippie Era, circa 1967.
The cook who also loves history will enjoy Stirring
the Pot with Benjamin Franklin: A Founding Father’s Culinary
Adventures by Rae Katherine Eighmey. It’s a book
that’s perfect if someone on your list likes American
history, cooking, or reading while she eats.
For the giftee who loves ancient history, you can’t go wrong
when you wrap up Rome: A History in Seven Sackings
by Matthew Kneale. Yes, it’s about war. But it’s also
about natural disasters, Emperors, and travel. How could
your giftee resist?
Early American history buffs will whoop when they open
Marooned: Jamestown, Shipwreck, and a New History of
America’s Origin by Joseph Kelly. It’s a big thick
history book that will take your giftee back, so remember to
wrap up a bookmark, too.
PETS AND ANIMALS
Who doesn’t love a day at the beach? Your dog lover and the
dog they love do, so they’ll want to unwrap Dogs on
the Beach by Lara Jo Regan. It’s filled with photos
of doggos in the surf & sand, enjoying warm weather and
taking every advantage of summer there is.
Here’s something you don’t have to tell an animal lover:
animals have personalities. Even so, your giftee will enjoy
Mousy Cats and Sheepish Coyotes: The Science of Animal
Personalities by John A. Shivik. It’s all about the
science, yes, but it’s also about the stories, you know?
Wrap it up with How to Be a Good Creature by Sy
Montgomery, illustrated by Rebecca Green. It’s a memoir
that includes thirteen animals Montgomery knew and loved.
For the future farmer or the person who is clucking awesome,
wrap up Hen and the Art of Chicken Maintenance by
Martin Gurdon, a book about raising chickens of all
kinds. It’s helpful, interesting, and it contains full-color
pictures. Your giftee will crow about it!
LGBTQ INTEREST
Who doesn’t like a mystery? Your giftee sure does, and if
there are chills inside it, all’s the better so wrap up
Sodom Road Exit by Amber Dawn. It’s the story of
a small but dying village that’s lost its last reason for
tourists. Even so, one young woman lives there with her
mother because she has nowhere else to go. She wishes she
did, though, because her small hometown holds terror… Wrap
it up with Ruin of Stars by Linsey Miller, the
second book in a fantasy series in which the main character
is gender-fluid.
For the reader who loves books that may make him think, look
for So Famous and So Gay by Jeff Solomon. It’s
a book about Truman Capote and Gertrude Stein and how their
fame still lingers while so many other almost-celebrities
barely get a nod today, no matter what they did for LGBTQ
rights….
The person on your list who is thinking about transitioning
(or who recently has) will love unwrapping Trans Like
Me by CN Lester, a series of essays on gender
diversity, being trans, and how to tackle tacky people whose
questions are too nosy. Pair it with Being Emily
by Rachel Gold, a book about a trans woman, now updated
to include new material.
For the traveler on your list, the person who also loves
history, you can’t go wrong with Riviera Dreaming
by Maureen Emerson. It’s the true story of an architect
and an ex-officer in the British Army, how they teamed up to
create a mansion that took society by storm, and who vied to
hire these two men to decorate their Riviera mansions. Wrap
it up with Global Gay: How Gay Culture is Changing the
World by Frédéric Martel, for a very well-traveled
gift.
More fiction for the gay reader: You Can’t Tell By
Looking by Russell J. Sanders, a romance about love
between two high school boys, one of whom is also dealing
with his anti-gay Islamic family; and Aesop Lake
by Sarah Ward, a unique book based on three of Aesop’s
Fables to tell a tale of a hate crime and its aftermath.
PICTURE BOOKS
Here’s a great read-aloud for your little one: In Your
Hands by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Brian
Pinkney. It’s a quiet, comforting story of holding hands
and protecting, and will be a great bedtime tale. Also look
for My Magic Breath by Nick Ortner and Alison
Taylor, pictures by Michelle Polizzi. It’s a book about
mindful breathing and calming thoughts.
The birthday kid will appreciate I Got a Chicken for
My Birthday by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Sarah Horne.
Yes, it’s about a chicken and the fun his girl has with
him. If the birthday kid is an animal lover, pair it up with
Mela and the Elephant by Dow Phumiruk, illustrated
by Ziyue Chen.
Parents of toddlers will definitely want to unwrap this
book: People Don’t Bite People by Lisa Wheeler,
art by Molly Idle. Yes, it’s about the appropriate use
of teeth, in a format that two-to-three-year-olds can
absolutely understand.
Children who appreciate the friends they’ve got will love
May I Come In? by Marsha Diane Arnoml, illustrated by
Jennie Poh. It’s the story of a wet raccoon, a stormy
night, and the love of a true friend. Wrap it up with
Friends Stick Together by Hannah E. Harrison, a book
about friendship between personalities.
Children who are on the edge of Too Old for Picture Books,
Too Young for Chapter Books may still like to see
Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story by Lindsay
McDivitt, illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen. It’s a
biography in picture form about a Detroit artist and nature
lover, and your little one would surely love it read aloud.
Wrap it up with Aim for the Skies by Aimee
Bissonette, illustrated by Doris Ettlinger. It’s the
true story of two women who dreamed about following in
Amelia Earhart’s footsteps and flying around the world.
For kids who are looking for more than a picture book or for
the most curious kid you know, wrap up any of the Tell
Me books by the Barron’s Educational people. These
handy-to-have books cover a wide variety of subjects,
including geography and science, they’re indexed plainly so
answers are easy to find, and they’re written so they’re
understandable by kids ages 6 or 7 and up. Here’s a hint:
they’re great for parents, too.
MIDDLE-GRADE READERS
For the kid who’s computer-crazy (and what kid isn’t?),
Cool Coding is the book to find because it
teaches without “dumbing-down” and kids, of course,
appreciate that. For your 10-to-17-year-old, it’s a “LIKE.”
Wrap it up with another science book: The Hyena
Scientist by Sy Montgomery, photographs by Nic Bishop.
It’s perfect for the budding zoologist or die-hard
animal lover.
For kids who love books that let them do fun things, why not
wrap up Turn This Book into a Beehive! by Lynn
Brunelle, illustrated by Anna-Maria Jung. It’s a book
that will teach your child about bees and environmentalism,
and then it turns into the coolest craft around. Wrap it up
with The Brilliant Deep by Kate Messner and
Matthew Forstythe, which is a nonfiction book about
coral reefs.
Remember those old “Choose Your Own Adventure” books that
you used to love? Well, those are updated now: imagine what
would happen if you took a graphic novel and let kids pick
their own storylines and endings? That’s what’s behind
Knights Club by Shuky, illustrated by Waltch and
Novy; and Hocus & Pocus by Manuro Gorobei. Are
they comic books? Are they games? Your kids might think
they’re both!
Young historians will thoroughly enjoy reading Time
for Kids Presidents of the United States. This book
offers a quick biography, stats, and fun-to-know facts about
the men in office, and includes a chapter on our current
Commander-in-Chief. Pair it up with Weird but True!
Know-It-All U.S. Presidents by Brianna Dumont or any
of the Heroes of History books, like the one on
George Washington or the book about Alexander
Hamilton.
The child who craves a most meaningful gift this year will
enjoy opening The World of the Bible from the
National Geographic folks. This book includes Bible
stories and the science behind them, as well as trivia, and
excellent artwork.
For the kid who’s interested in animals, Book of Bones
by Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Sam Brewster is
perfect. This book takes a look at the skeletons of animals
– the biggest, the longest, the thinnest – and the animals
who need those bones to live and thrive. Pair it up with
Stuff You Need to Know About the Human Body by John
Farndon & Tim Hutchison, a book about human insides.
And for the child who’s into adventure plus weirdness, look
for The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for The World’s
Most Adventurous Kid by Dylan Thuras and Rosemary Mosco,
illustrated by Joy Ang. It’s a book filled with maps and
sites and places your child can go, even if they do it
through paper and imagination.
YA BOOKS
The teen who has embraced STEM will also want to read
Radioactive! by Winifred Conkling. It’s the parallel
story of two women: Irene Curie, who discovered artificial
radioactivity; and Lise Meitner, who, four years after
Irene’s discovery, learned the secret of nuclear fission.
Get it for your teen and read it yourself.
The scientist on your list will love Junk Drawer
Geometry by Bobby Mercer, especially if she is also
a mathlete. This book is full of experiments and gee-whiz
coolness. Wrap it up with any other book in the “Junk Drawer
Science” series.
For the budding activist on your list, look for You
Are Mighty: A Guide to Changing the World by Caroline
Paul, illustrated by Lauren Tamaki. This hardcover book
offers ideas to create change in many different aspects of
society, and it includes places for your teen to take notes
and jot down ideas. Pair it with Illegal by Eoin
Colfer and Adnrew Donkin, a graphic novel about a boy
who crosses the Sahara desert and beyond to forge a new life
elsewhere.
The basketball fan in your life will love Here to Stay
by Sara Farizan. It’s a novel about a boy who saves the
day and becomes a school hero and, oh, incidentally, he’s
Muslim. Who’s friend and who’s enemy? Who can resist such a
book?
So there you are. A bunch of different ways to use that gift
certificate for fun, learning, and winter reading
anticipation. Remember: if none of these suggestions seem to
fit that Special Someone on your list, ask your
weary-but-smiling bookseller. She’s the one who has all the
right answers.
Happy Reading!
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