The Last Word on Last-Minute Book Gifts

Continuing last week’s gift book ideas, Dick Hermans of Oblong Books suggests “A Year in the Life: The 1915 Daily Journal of Edward Dean, an Amenia Union Farmer.�

   “Books don’t get much more local than this one,â€� Hermans said. Following the local farming theme, Hermans also suggests “Hudson River Valley Farmsâ€� by Joanne Michaels. “It is a beautiful coffee-table book that celebrates the agricultural present of the Hudson Valley. The book contains portraits of dozens of farms and will broaden your appreciation of one of our area’s greatest resources.â€�

   Finally, Hermans suggested the memoir “True Compassâ€� by the late Edward Kennedy as a great gift for anyone following politics.

   “He was a great American whose family was central to the events of the 20th century,â€� Hermans said.

   Librarian Louise Manteuffel of the Hotchkiss Library in Sharon recommends “What The Dog Saw and Other Adventuresâ€� by Malcolm Gladwell; a book of quirky subject matter which includes a biography of the inventor of the birth control pill, and an interview with a dog whisperer, and another with gadget inventor Ron Popeil.

   “I checked that book out myself and took it home,â€� Manteuffel said. “If you’re not up to reading something from cover to cover, this book is good for reading in little pieces. It also serves as a good chuckle.â€�

      In the mystery and suspense department, Manteuffel recommends Sara Paretsky’s “Hardball,â€� a new entry in Paretsky’s “V.I. Warshawskiâ€� series.

   “An hour after we got this in at the library, somebody already checked it out. It’s a character that people have become very familiar with over the years.â€�

   Manteuffel also recommends “The Lost Art of Gratitudeâ€� by Alexander Mccall Smith.

   “The book is the newest of the Isabel Dalhousie series,â€� Manteuffel said. “Mccall has written several different mystery series, but this is his most popular one.â€�

      For children, Kathy Amiet, children’s librarian at Hotchkiss Library, recommends “Flat Catâ€� by Russell Hoban, about a party held by a cat, a rat and a snake that gets interrupted by mice from outer space.

   “It’s just a totally fun read,â€� Amiet said. “It has some incredible illustrations and a great sense of humor. It’s a humorous book for kids.â€�

   Amiet also recommends “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,â€� as retold and illustrated by Gennady Spirin.

   “It’s a retelling of the classic story that has beautiful illustrations,â€� Amiet said. “It’s always great to see an old, classic story told in a different way.

   For older children, Hermans recommends “Going Bovineâ€� by Libba Bray.

“It’s a book about a kid with mad cow disease, a midget, a punk rock angel and a lawn gnome all going on a road trip,� Hermans said. “Need I say more?�

   Hermans also recommends “Otisâ€� by Loren Long, about a tractor who befriends a little calf.

   “It’s a beautiful picture book with classic illustrations,â€� Hermans said. “It’s a touching tale.â€�

   Darren Winston of Darren Winston Booksellers in Sharon highly recommends books that deal with automotive racing.

   “We live right next to Lime Rock Park, so car books are very popular,â€� Winston said. “We have a lot of Lime Rock people who like to buy books about the history of cars.â€�

  As for mysteries, Winston recommends the classics: Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and especially Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond series. “If you have someone who loves the Bond movies, then you should turn them on to the original series of books Fleming wrote,â€� Winston said.

 Finally, when it comes to buying books as gifts, Winston said the number one rule is never, ever be afraid to ask for hints from a bookseller.

   “No one likes it when you get a book for them that only kind of represents theirf interests,â€� Winston said. “Always keep in mind the person’s interests. If someone likes to fish try to be specific on what kind of fishing they like, whether it would be fly fishing or salt-water fishing. A tie for Christmas is fine, but satisfying someone’s particular interest with a book, that’s a gift. That’s how a bookseller can help you. â€�

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