Gifts for the Book Obsessed

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While it might seem a little strange, it can actually be a bit tough to shop for people who are huge readers. They may be extremely picky (raises hand), own a ton of book already (raises hand again), or have already given their wants to someone else (nods head). Rest assured, there are still plenty of options for our type. 

First, of all, think winter comfort. A cozy, luxurious blanket that a person wouldn't typically buy themselves would be an awesome gift. Last year I received a cable-knit one lined with sherpa that I am still head-over-heels in love with. Other good options would include pajamas or slippers (the ones from Toms last forever!).

Next, think about where your friend likes to do their thing- would a Starbucks gift card encourage their habit of coffee-house reading? Or maybe they need a box of homemade treats to keep them company at home while they're flipping pages on the couch. Are they a wine-drinker? Buy them a good bottle of pinot. Are they surrounded by noisy kids or pets? Noise-canceling head phones might be just what they need! You can't go wrong with a brand new three-wick candle or a new coffee mug, either.

Time to outfit your friend in the best bookish threads. Out-of-print has the best shirts, scarves, and totes. Litographs turns the text from classics into shirts and scarves. Threadless has a literary category and there are tons of options on Etsy. 

There are also a ton of cool bookish products out there, too. I love PopCharts 100 Essential Novels Scratch Off chart or finding one of their favorite quotes on a print to frame. If they're a fan of something hugely popular *cough Harry Potter cough Lord of the Rings* the possibilities are endless (Hermione bobblehead, anyone?). 

Admit it. You still want to buy them a book. It's hard to resist, I know. I highly recommend one of Jane Mount's Bibliophile or The Ideal Bookshelf, or maybe one of the New Yorker's many volumes. Maybe a coffee table book on a place they love? Or a new cookbook from a chef they admire? 

Good luck! Whatever you do, don't buy them that one book that's "showing up on all of the best-of lists"- they already have it. 

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts

I am totally making this Lasagna Bolognese recipe this Sunday- it looks perfect (minus the mushrooms), and I’m not even a huge lasagna person.

I recently found out that Spider Man doesn’t organically make his own webs and I feel very mislead. Why is it not one of his biological adaptations? Wouldn’t that make sense, considering his other powers? If I were him I’d feel very gipped.

I have never been a fan of either Presidents Bush, but it blows my mind how they were both a million times better than what we have now. I think that’s part of why liberals have been criticized for lamenting the passing of Bush Senior; it’s almost this romanticized notion of sorts, what the "other side" used to be like in comparison.

I just started Christina Schutt’s Pure Hollywood, a collection of short stories. I’m a bit undecided at this point- her style is a bit nuanced, but not necessarily in a way I appreciate. I do love that it’s a bit of a challenge, though, and I think it might have some passages that I can extract for my students to analyze later in the year (tax-write off, yes?). 

Sawyer named our lawn-decoration llama “cornhip” because “corn is a food and hip is a bone in your body.” I fear for his future offspring.

I have graded over 90 essays on Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God over the past two days and I feel like my head is going to explode (and I still have more to go). I don’t normally grade that fast, but my students are doing some independent work right now and I am DETERMINED to have almost everything graded by break a week from Friday. It’s been intense, to say the least.

This weekend is jam-packed with awesome. Sawyer and I are going to the Sawdust Festival for breakfast with Santa in Laguna on Saturday, that evening he has a movie night at school so Scott and I are going to dinner, and then Sunday morning I am meeting up for brunch with a friend. I cannot wait.

Books for the People on Your List

Books make the best presents, right? Right. Here are some suggestions for the people in your life (or yourself):

For your liberal friend who laments Obama’s departure: Becoming by Michelle Obama

For your sister who loves reality shows: The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

For your cousin who supports that damn wall: Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas

For your college-aged niece who is always in crisis mode: My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

For your uncle who's always cracking everyone up (or at least attempts to...): Calypso by David Sedaris

For your coworker who has already created her itinerary for the Women’s March: The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer

For your aunt who adores true crime: I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

For your friend who has tiny kids and is about to go postal: How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn

For your super-smart nephew who “doesn’t like to read”: Punk Rock Jesus by Sean Gordon Murphy

For the hostess-with-the-mostess: The Pretty Dish by Jessica Merchant

For your fellow book-club member: An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

(you can find my list of awesome books for kids here)

Bookish Gift List: Picture Books

If you're like me, gifting books is a common practice during the holiday season. I am hoping to get a few guides together this week, the first one being suggestions for picture gifts for the kids in your life. Sawyer and I read daily together, but he also likes to look at books while we're in the car driving to and from school, so I've included a few of his favorites for that purpose. Enjoy! 

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen- read best with voices, of course, this quick book will have you discussing law and order with your kid asap

The Elephant and Piggie Books by Mo Willems- I am piggie and my husband is Gerald- if you're in the know then you get it 

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat- Honestly, if I was an imaginary friend I think I'd just mess with little kids instead of befriending them

I Don't Like Koala by Sean Ferrell- I don't blame the kid, I'd want to get rid of the creepy stuffed koala in this book too 

Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey- Sometimes being fabulous just isn't worth it... even if you're a unicorn 

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio (and Antoinette)- I love that this little series starts off with two dog mothers willingly each giving up one of their puppies. It's only temporary, but sheesh

I Am Not a Chair by Ross Burach- A giraffe who is commonly sat on has an emotional breakdown and ends up being a hypocrite 

I Will Not Eat You by Adam Lehrhaupt- A dragon with an existential crisis and possible eating disorder 

Superchimp by Giles Paley-Phillips- He runs around in his underwear and eats bugs- if that doesn't say crime-solver I don't know what does 

Any books by Andrea Beatty- Iggy Peck is gonna get all the ladies when he grows up

The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright- Important message to get off your ass and get out there

Solo reads he loves:

Any LEGO guide book

Where's Waldo

Seek-and-Find books 

November Reviews

Didn't I just do a monthly review? November most definitely flew by, with the exception of a few days at work that had me whining to my friend that time was moving at a snail's pace ("how is it only third periodddddddd?"). I am feverishly trying to work towards my Goodreads goal of 71 books, which means I need to read like eight books in December- it's totally going to happen. This is when you pull out all the stops, whether that means reading the shortest books you own, throwing in a graphic novel or two, and squeezing in a few pages at every possible moment. In the meantime, despite reading five book instead of my planned six, I read a variety of different books last month, which always makes me happy.

First up was "Master Harold"... and the boys by Athol Fugard, a play that I teach every other year when I have juniors. The kids usually really appreciate it and this I year I had them actually read it in groups, which I don't think I've ever done before. I overheard some really great discussions, as the play focuses on the relationship between a white teenaged boy and two black men during the Apartheid in South Africa. They've handled it with maturity, respect, and insight, which I've appreciated greatly (there's some profanity/offensive language and some heavy moments, so you always have to be prepared to step in with teenagers). 

I read yet another David Sedaris book, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, in preparation for the reading I wasn't able to go to (sickness struck out house... I was disappointed, but it happens). It was pretty typical of the Sedaris- quirky, funny, poignant, and well-written. This is the third collection of his that I've read in the last six months, so I'm starting to feel like he and I are old friends. 

Continuing my ongoing introduction into the world of graphic novels, I read Thi Bui's The Best We Could Do, which sucked me in immediately. The author's memoir looks at her family's experience in Vietnam and the United States, and how their past impacted their present. An old student of mine recently told me that it was actually selected as UCLA's Common Read for their freshman class last year, which I thought was pretty awesome. If you're on the fence about graphic novels, this is one to jump in with. Besides an awesome story, you'll learn some history and enjoy beautiful illustrations. 

My favorite of the month, hands down, was Michelle Obama's Becoming. I wrote about it here, if you need some convincing. 

Last up was Cherry Blossoms by Kim Hooper. The story is about an advertising copywriter named Jonathan who decided to take a trip to Japan before he kills himself. The novel slowly unfolds details about his life and struggles, while trying to maintain a witty voice. I think the foundational story has potential, but I had some concerns with the dialogue, some of the humor, and also some of the formatting decisions (too many lists, for starters). 

1,477 pages