Tuesday, December 1, 2009

December 2009 Book Recommendations

GiftLit has the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday list this season, with gifts for children, for teens, for women, for men, for couples, and even for families. Choose from our collections selected by literary experts or use our customization features to build your own unique collection. Each subscription comes with personalized bookplates to make your gift extra special and best of all 10% of GiftLit’s profits go to organizations that promote literacy.
Read on to see our December recommendations and stay tuned for our special holiday-themed book recommendations coming soon.

December Book Recommendations

Children's Book Recommendations

The Bog BabyThe Bog Baby by Jeanne Willis – This adorable story of two sisters is filled with the wonder of childhood exploration and the magic of nature. Part of our Favorites for Girls Age 2-5 collection.



The Dinosaur TamerThe Dinosaur Tamer by Carol Greathouse – Dinosaurs meet the wild west in this folksy and fast-paced tall tale starring Rocky, the legendary lasso-tossing, Pleiosaurus-riding dinosaur tamer. Part of our Favorites for Boys Age 5-8 collection.





Flawed Dogs: The Shocking Raid on WestminsterFlawed Dogs: The Shocking Raid on Westminster

by Berkeley Breathed – With drama and humor, Pulitzer Prize-winning Breathed delivers an illustrated novel that celebrates the unconditional love of dogs and highlights the beauty of imperfection. Part of our Great New Releases Age 8-10 collection.




MaliceMalice by Chris Wooding – In this unique comic-novel hybrid teens disappear into the bizarre realm of Malice, a comic book world of violent creatures, monsters that drink time, and only one elusive way out. Part of our Fantasy & Magic Age 10-12 collection.





SnapSnap
by Carol Snow – Devastated after her family goes bankrupt, Madison Sabatini plunges into her passion for photography, but this tale of teen angst turns into a paranormal mystery when she captures images of people who aren't there. Part of our Favorites for Girls Age 12-14 collection.




Teen Book Recommendations


Bad AppleBad Apple by Laura Ruby – Green-haired artist Tory Riley is misunderstood by everyone except her nonconformist high school art teacher until cyber-bullying rumors threaten to destroy both their lives. Part of our Fiction for Teen Girls collection.





The Maze Runner ( Maze Runner Trilogy)The Maze Runner ( Maze Runner Trilogy)
by James Dashner – This dark and gripping tale of survival where teens eke out a hazardous existence searching for a way out of the Maze will keep readers guessing until the very end. Part of our Fiction for Teen Boys collection.





Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel
Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel
by Jeannette Walls – This heartwarming and triumphant novel, from the author of The Glass Castle, tells the story of a fearless, indomitable woman who will not be corralled. Part of our Adult Fiction for Teen Girls collection.




Adult Book Recommendations



The Museum of InnocenceThe Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk – Set in 1975 in Istanbul that is half Western and half traditional, this masterful novel from Nobel winner Pamuk is the story of a man whose battle between duty and love leads down a tortured path into obsession. Part of our Great New Hardcover Fiction collection.





Changing My Mind: Occasional Essays
Changing My Mind: Occasional Essays

by Zadie Smith – An acute observer of contemporary culture, Zadie Smith, author of On Beauty, delivers a sharp and funny collection of essays that tackle questions of identity, vocation, art, and love. Part of our Favorites for Women collection.




Look at the Birdie: Unpublished Short Fiction
Look at the Birdie: Unpublished Short Fiction
by Kurt Vonnegut – These previously unpublished short stories were written just as Vonnegut was starting to find his comic voice and paint a wise and funny portrait of life in post-World War II America. Part of our Favorites for Men collection.




The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country GirlThe Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl by Ree Drummond – This homespun collection of funny stories, irresistible photographs, and scrumptious recipes will encourage even the most harried cook to slow down and relish the joys of family, nature, and great food. Part of our Cooking & Entertaining collection.




Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker
Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker
by James McManus – "My goal is to show how the story of poker helps to explain who we are,” says author McManus. This colorful book achieves it by linking poker to American culture, American history (from the Civil War to the Cold War), and American politics. Part of our Nonfiction for Men collection.




The Children's BookThe Children's Book by A.S. Byatt – This dense, complex and compelling historical novel is set in the high tide of Britain's power and centers on two deeply troubled families of the British artistic intelligentsia. Part of our Fiction for Women collection.





Family Book Recommendations


Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales
Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales
by Lucy Cousins – A great read aloud gift, these eight classic fairytales take on a bold and funny flourish with vibrant illustrations, simple language and a surprising edge. Part of our Read Aloud Ages 4-8 collection.




The Blue StarThe Blue Star by Tony Earley – Just released in paperback, this charming and evocative novel of teen love set on the eve of World War Two is a great read for parents and teens. Part of our Parent & Teen Paperback Fiction collection.






We hope you share our love of literature and passion to inspire people of all ages to read and will consider GiftLit for your next gift purchase.



www.giftlit.com

Monday, November 2, 2009

November 2009 Book Recommendations


GiftLit has the perfect gifts for the holiday season — book-of-the-month gifts that are hand-selected by literary experts, include personalized bookplates and offer the flexibility to substitute any book. Best of all, 10% of GiftLit’s profits go to organizations that promote literacy.

Books offer an enduring value and in the words of storyteller Garrison Keillor, “A book is a gift you can open again and again.”


November Book Recommendations



Children's Book Recommendations
Pouch! Pouch! by David Ezra Stein – From the award-winning author of Leaves comes a sweet story about a curious, but timid, baby kangaroo intent on exploring the world. Part of our Great New Picture Books Age 2-5 collection.





Waiting for Winter Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser – Clever, hilarious, and beautifully illustrated, this story of three furry friends, who are not-so-patiently waiting for the first snow, is hands down our favorite new winter tale. Part of our Great New Picture Books Age 5-8 collection.





Dragonbreath Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon – Great for reluctant readers, this engaging story about a spunky dragon who can't breathe fire has a hybrid-comic format similar to the Wimpy Kid series. Part of our Favorites for Boys Age 8-10 collection.





The Doom Machine The Doom Machine by Mark Teague – This nutty and upbeat science fiction tale involves malevolent spider-like aliens, a boy who can fix anything, a madcap interstellar adventure, and (of course) a mad scientist. Part of our Fantasy & Magic Age 10-12 collection.





Hannah (Daughters of the Sea) Hannah (Daughters of the Sea) by Kathryn Lasky – From Newbery Honor winner Lasky, this compelling new series about three mermaid sisters separated at birth begins with the story of Hannah set in Boston in the early 1900's. Part of our Favorites for Girls Age 12-14 collection.





Teen Book Recommendations



Lips Touch Three Times Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor – With beautiful prose and subtle structure Taylor writes three powerful stories of supernatural love based on the unifying theme of the consequences of a kiss. Part of our Fiction for Teen Girls collection.





Anne Frank: The Book, the Life, the Afterlife Anne Frank: The Book, the Life, the Afterlife by Francine Prose – This comprehensive look at the life and work of Anne Frank tells the deeply moving story of the Frank family and contemplates the deeper significance of Anne's literary achievement. Part of our Adult Nonfiction for Teens collection.





Adult Book Recommendations

Wolf Hall Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel – Delving deeply into the psychology of Thomas Cromwell, the man behind the throne, this witty and fresh portrait of King Henry VIII’s court is the winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize and has just been released in the U.S. Part of our Great New Hardcover Fiction collection.





The Lacuna The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver – This masterful novel of a man pulled between two nations takes readers on an epic journey from art and revolution in the Mexico City of Frida Kahlo and Lev Trotsky to America in the throes of World War II. Part of our Fiction for Women collection.





This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly by Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff – With rigorous research and a dizzying array of data, this extensive history and analysis of financial crises is a must-read for anyone interested in international finance. Part of our Nonfiction for Men collection.





Nine Dragons Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly – With psychological acuity and nonstop action, this exceptional crime thriller pits the fan-favorite Harry Bosch against the Chinese underworld in the highest-stakes case of his life. Part of our Mysteries & Thrillers collection.





Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich – This tantalizingly photographed cookbook from acclaimed restaurateur Bastianich offers uncomplicated recipes featuring regional Italian fare bursting with flavor. Part of our Cooking & Entertaining collection.





What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures by Macolm Gladwell – This compilation of favorite essays from the best-selling author of Outliers offers provocative conversation pieces that explore the human psyche. Part of our Great New Hardcover Fiction collection.





Family Book Recommendations



A Season of Gifts A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck – From Newbery-winning author Richard Peck, this amusing holiday story with unforgettable characters makes a great family read aloud. Part of our Read Aloud Ages 8-12 collection.





The Story of Edgar Sawtelle The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski – Born mute, young Edgar lives an idyllic life breeding and training dogs on his parent's farm until tragedy forces him to flee into the wilderness with three of his beloved dogs. Just released in paperback this best-seller is a wonderful book for parents and teens to share. Part of our Parent & Teen Paperback Fiction collection.







We hope you share our love of literature and passion to inspire people of all ages to read and will consider GiftLit for your next gift purchase.



www.giftlit.com