Yes, we listen on Audible, Yes we love to travel with Kindle versions but nothing is quite so special as holding a book in your hands - or giving the gift of one!
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela, about $22.
"Arrested in 1962 as South Africa’s apartheid regime intensified its brutal campaign against political opponents, forty-four-year-old lawyer and African National Congress activist Nelson Mandela had no idea that he would spend the next twenty-seven years in jail. During his 10,052 days of incarceration, the future leader of South Africa wrote a multitude of letters to unyielding prison authorities, fellow activists, government officials, and, most memorably, to his courageous wife, Winnie, and his five children."
255 letters (several never published before) reveal how Mandela kept his spirits up living in almost complete isolation, yet somehow staying connected and raising awareness through the world, of what he stood for. The letters are presented in a well organized way, chronologically and divided into each place he was held.
Looking for a Mandela DVD to include? There are many. Click HERE and HERE for descriptions, then Google to find them.
Here's something entirely of the moment and completely unique... Lin Manuel Miranda, famous to all now as the creator of the play Hamilton, used to Tweet positive little poems and affirmations to all morning and night. He said it was putting out there what he needed to hear, bu so many were lifted, brightened and encouraged he made a book of them - called GMorning, GNight. $13-18.
Great for all but especially for someone who's been a little blue, to read to your kids at bedtime and breakfast, thoughtful perhaps for someone who has been sick, or is recovering. You may want to give the fantastic Hamilton Soundtrack to stuff in their stocking.
THIS! A great book, that is also beautifully done. For those who love Paris, the expat artists of the 1920's, Art Deco and Nouveau, cocktailing, tux wearing, glitz and glam, who are mixologists or aspiring to be one... this is a great book to have or to give. $8.13 at Barnes and Noble, about $12 at Target.
While you're at it, you might want to get the movie Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen, or one of my TOP FIVE FAVORITE FILMS: The Mystery of Picasso, a french national treasure by Jean Renoir, or the Soundtrack to the Moderns (a review HERE) to go with it.
For the rebel, the rouge, the foodie, traveler or writer on your list this is a truly great book. 20 years ago, when a cook wrote Don't Eat before You Read This for the New Yorker, it kicked started his emergence from obscurity to he internationally recognized and loved figure we all got to know... and then lost this year.
There is an updated version out, which says it has "new material from the original version" -- but purists may be inclined to go on Ebay or Google to find the original one. Either way, this is a classic book and a fascinating look at his profession's underbelly... Only $13 at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Though you can find his CNN Parts Unknown show to give as well, If you can dig it up, it's interesting to watch his earlier shows - No Reservations - from as early on as you can get. Maybe 2012 ish. Read the reviews of each DVD on Amazon to learn what you're getting in each.
I think AB would approve of my suggestion The Crossing by Alejandro Escovedo to go with this tome.
Because I didn't actually know of this book, I'm recommending it. Apparently the three stories were all that were left of Hemingway's early work - the rest was in his bag, which he must have left unattended in the Gar de Leon, as it was stolen. Can you imagine if someone had the presence of mind to keep that work and bring it to light today? Probably someone looking for money or clothes if they were in need tossed this master's work away. $19 Hardback at Amazon, $3 for paperback ordering from Barnes and Noble (have a feeling the font is really small in paperback). You will likely have to order Three Stories and Ten Poems through your store or online, but worth it as it may just be that the Lit fan on your list hasn't read it.
There are many interesting movies you can buy or stream with Hemingway - this article by SALON covers a few.
Ever want to have an easy, clear overview on the worlds religions traditions? The World's Religions by Houston Smith is a classic, one I read at 18 and again as required reading when I went to Interfaith Seminary.
You will find an overview of each's teachings and viewpoint in each chapter, covering Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and several native traditions. Reading it, it is truly a puzzle to understand how so many war over religion - both now and through the ages - when the teachings are so similar in each. $15.
Ten Poems to Last a Lifetime is a slim, good volume to keep in your gift closet. Even if you are not a fan of poetry, 10 hand picked for you by someone who is and knows their stuff. It is always a great gift to have on hand as it is appropriate for someone you know well, as well as someone, say, you work with or who you want to thank. It also works for any gender and most ages. $ 16 at BARNES AND NOBLE.
He has compiled several books - some for marriage, some for difficult times, some to say goodbye, and a few volumes of his first popular tome: Ten Poems to Change Your Life. You can view them all HERE. Keep Scrolling to see all the poem books as they are peppered among his others. I chose this one to reccomend because of the authors he has picked.
If there was ever a time to read this book, this is one. Written by esteemed student of mankind for most of his long life, Pulitzer Prize winners, Will Durant in partnership with his wife Ariel, worked and wrote an 11 volume masterpiece called the History of Civilization. From there, he began to write thin volumes containing all of that distilled, written in economical, plain english for the masses to truly "get" it - and they are remarkable. Check them all out and choose if not this one. Mades a great listen from Audible or on CD as well. I have everything he's written.
"Juxtaposing the great lives, ideas, and accomplishments with cycles of war and conquest, the Durants reveal the towering themes of history and give meaning to our own."
TIP: There are SO many more great books out there and there will be more posts about them, so please subscribe and bookmark this page. For now, find more book suggestions under my category BOOKS.
While we may enjoy other ways to read, this holiday please consider buying a real book as doing your part to keep books being made, and brick and mortar book stores (especially small, local ones) in business.
So while I may suggest Barnes and Noble or Amazon on this blog, I encourage you to go around the corner to buy yours in person if you can.
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela, about $22.
"Arrested in 1962 as South Africa’s apartheid regime intensified its brutal campaign against political opponents, forty-four-year-old lawyer and African National Congress activist Nelson Mandela had no idea that he would spend the next twenty-seven years in jail. During his 10,052 days of incarceration, the future leader of South Africa wrote a multitude of letters to unyielding prison authorities, fellow activists, government officials, and, most memorably, to his courageous wife, Winnie, and his five children."
255 letters (several never published before) reveal how Mandela kept his spirits up living in almost complete isolation, yet somehow staying connected and raising awareness through the world, of what he stood for. The letters are presented in a well organized way, chronologically and divided into each place he was held.
Looking for a Mandela DVD to include? There are many. Click HERE and HERE for descriptions, then Google to find them.
Here's something entirely of the moment and completely unique... Lin Manuel Miranda, famous to all now as the creator of the play Hamilton, used to Tweet positive little poems and affirmations to all morning and night. He said it was putting out there what he needed to hear, bu so many were lifted, brightened and encouraged he made a book of them - called GMorning, GNight. $13-18.
Great for all but especially for someone who's been a little blue, to read to your kids at bedtime and breakfast, thoughtful perhaps for someone who has been sick, or is recovering. You may want to give the fantastic Hamilton Soundtrack to stuff in their stocking.
THIS! A great book, that is also beautifully done. For those who love Paris, the expat artists of the 1920's, Art Deco and Nouveau, cocktailing, tux wearing, glitz and glam, who are mixologists or aspiring to be one... this is a great book to have or to give. $8.13 at Barnes and Noble, about $12 at Target.
While you're at it, you might want to get the movie Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen, or one of my TOP FIVE FAVORITE FILMS: The Mystery of Picasso, a french national treasure by Jean Renoir, or the Soundtrack to the Moderns (a review HERE) to go with it.
For the rebel, the rouge, the foodie, traveler or writer on your list this is a truly great book. 20 years ago, when a cook wrote Don't Eat before You Read This for the New Yorker, it kicked started his emergence from obscurity to he internationally recognized and loved figure we all got to know... and then lost this year.
There is an updated version out, which says it has "new material from the original version" -- but purists may be inclined to go on Ebay or Google to find the original one. Either way, this is a classic book and a fascinating look at his profession's underbelly... Only $13 at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Though you can find his CNN Parts Unknown show to give as well, If you can dig it up, it's interesting to watch his earlier shows - No Reservations - from as early on as you can get. Maybe 2012 ish. Read the reviews of each DVD on Amazon to learn what you're getting in each.
I think AB would approve of my suggestion The Crossing by Alejandro Escovedo to go with this tome.
Because I didn't actually know of this book, I'm recommending it. Apparently the three stories were all that were left of Hemingway's early work - the rest was in his bag, which he must have left unattended in the Gar de Leon, as it was stolen. Can you imagine if someone had the presence of mind to keep that work and bring it to light today? Probably someone looking for money or clothes if they were in need tossed this master's work away. $19 Hardback at Amazon, $3 for paperback ordering from Barnes and Noble (have a feeling the font is really small in paperback). You will likely have to order Three Stories and Ten Poems through your store or online, but worth it as it may just be that the Lit fan on your list hasn't read it.
There are many interesting movies you can buy or stream with Hemingway - this article by SALON covers a few.
Ever want to have an easy, clear overview on the worlds religions traditions? The World's Religions by Houston Smith is a classic, one I read at 18 and again as required reading when I went to Interfaith Seminary.
You will find an overview of each's teachings and viewpoint in each chapter, covering Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and several native traditions. Reading it, it is truly a puzzle to understand how so many war over religion - both now and through the ages - when the teachings are so similar in each. $15.
Ten Poems to Last a Lifetime is a slim, good volume to keep in your gift closet. Even if you are not a fan of poetry, 10 hand picked for you by someone who is and knows their stuff. It is always a great gift to have on hand as it is appropriate for someone you know well, as well as someone, say, you work with or who you want to thank. It also works for any gender and most ages. $ 16 at BARNES AND NOBLE.
He has compiled several books - some for marriage, some for difficult times, some to say goodbye, and a few volumes of his first popular tome: Ten Poems to Change Your Life. You can view them all HERE. Keep Scrolling to see all the poem books as they are peppered among his others. I chose this one to reccomend because of the authors he has picked.
If there was ever a time to read this book, this is one. Written by esteemed student of mankind for most of his long life, Pulitzer Prize winners, Will Durant in partnership with his wife Ariel, worked and wrote an 11 volume masterpiece called the History of Civilization. From there, he began to write thin volumes containing all of that distilled, written in economical, plain english for the masses to truly "get" it - and they are remarkable. Check them all out and choose if not this one. Mades a great listen from Audible or on CD as well. I have everything he's written.
"Juxtaposing the great lives, ideas, and accomplishments with cycles of war and conquest, the Durants reveal the towering themes of history and give meaning to our own."
TIP: There are SO many more great books out there and there will be more posts about them, so please subscribe and bookmark this page. For now, find more book suggestions under my category BOOKS.
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