(You may wonder why a 12-year-old girl was invited to a baby shower.  It’s not a teen pregnancy thing.  It’s just that Annie’s social life is always busier and more interesting than mine.  I’ve stopped questioning it.)

So there I am, panicking a little, trying to think of what stores are nearby . . . and then I think, “Oh, wait.  The bookstore!”  I run over to my all-time favorite local Indie, Village Books in the Pacific Palisades, and I head to the back to the children’s corner.  Katie O’Laughlin, who owns the store, once told me that picture books are one of the few things that e-books can’t compete with, so it’s something small bookstores like to keep a good stock of.

I wanted this present to be special since it was coming from Annie, and then it hit me: I should pick out the picture books that meant something to her when she was little (which feels like a minute ago and an eternity ago), the ones that she and I read over and over together because they meant something to us, or just brought us both so much pleasure we never stopped enjoying them.

The second I spotted Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes, it was in my arms.  Both my daughter and I are natural worriers.  We don’t face any new situation without fretting about the various things that might go wrong, the people who might not be friendly, the parking spaces that might not materialize, the food that might not be good . . .  I love that book because it acknowledges that not all kids are carefree and lighthearted.  That was an easy one.

"Our" book

I was tempted to get one of Ian Falconer’s Olivia books because we loved those so much, especially the first one. The drawings and the text are just perfect.  But they’ve become so hugely popular that I worried a little she might already have gotten them.  While I was trying to decide, my son came up and handed me Ferdinand the Bull.  ”You have to give her this,” he said.  ”It’s our story.”  (Ferdinand, for those who don’t remember, is the bull who would rather pick daisies than act like the other bulls.  And, yes, it is our story,)

I also got Jules Feiffer’s I Lost My Bear which is maybe the most fun book to read out loud ever, because the narrator/protagonist is wildly over the top emotional as she searches for her lost teddy bear.  It’s a fun, fun book and I’ve always loved pretty much anything Feiffer’s ever done, for kids or adults.

My memory being what it is, I can’t remember for sure but I think I also got another Kevin Henkes, Sheila Rae the Brave, because that was a real favorite of Annie’s.  So was Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse and Julius the Baby of the World.  Basically you can’t go wrong with Kevin Henkes.

I couldn’t buy every favorite book because there wasn’t money, time or world enough, and I won’t bore you by listing them.  But if you’re a mom or a dad, the next time you need to get a great baby shower gift, think about picking out your own kid’s favorite picture books and writing a little note about why each one was special to him or her.  Even better, take your kid along and let him pick the books out and dictate or write the note himself.   I can’t think of anything more special or more likely to get used over and over again.

Plus it gives you an excuse to go to the bookstore.  And we all like to do that.

Great minds think alike: Kim just reminded me she’s written about her own favorite baby shower book choices.  Check out her top picks.

NPR talked to three bookstores who each gave five book recommendations.  I listed them below, but check out the story (you can read it or listen to it while wrapping presents) because the booksellers give a summary of each of the books.

The Bookmark in Atlantic Beach, FL

1. Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
2. Esther’s Inheritance by Sandor Marai
3. Gone Tomorrow by P.F. Kluge
4. The Man Who Invented Christmas by Les Standiford
5. Serena by Ron Rash

The Bookshelf in Winona, Minn

1. So Brave, Young and Handsome by Leif Enger
2. A Splintered History of Wood:  Belt Sander Races, Blind Woodworkers and Baseball Bats by Spike Carlsen (if you really read the title, you’re laughing)
3. Downtown Owl:  A Novel by Chuck Klosterman
4. Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
5. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson (on my desk to read next month)

Portrait of a Bookstore in Studio City, CA

1. The Oxford Project with photographs by Peter Feldstein and text by Stephens G. Bloom
2. The Economist Book of Obituaries by Keith Colquhoun and Ann Wroe
3. Pinocchio by Geoffrey Brock
4. All Art is Propaganda:  Critical Essays by George Orwell (I just added this one to my Christmas list)
5. The Ecco Anthology of Contemporary American Short Stories by Joyce Carol Oats

Now is the time for all good gift givers to visit their local independent bookstores and buy those holiday gifts.

Claire and I asked our two favorite science experts to give us suggestions for engaging books that even the likes of me would enjoy reading.  I think I’m set for a decade. 

Bob Kahn spends his summers reading books about science, in fact, his coffee table is heaped with them (I know because I’ve had a hard time finding room for my coffee cup sometimes).  In the fall though, he is our true hero as he opens the exciting world of science for our teenagers as an 8th grade science teacher.  Bob was instrumental in developing a curriculum that asked the kids to think their way through the school year rather than passively absorb stacks of information,and for that, we’re very grateful.

The Double Helix:  A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA by James Watson – A science memoir by the co-discoverer (with Francis Crick) of the structure of DNA (they both won the Nobel Prize) that gives the reader a peek into real life science with all of it’s squabbles, melodrama and humanity.  It’s not a pristine world of spotless lab coats and gleaming beakers. 

The Sacred Depths of Nature by Ursula Goodenough – One scientist’s perspective on the dialogue between science and religion.  Through a series of meditations, the author explains various aspects of biology with a sense of the awe for the mysteries of nature.

The Demon Haunted World:  Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan – Mr. Sagan’s last book is a call to use scientific thinking, wisdom and common sense to debunk pseudoscience including alien abduction, the Loch Ness monster, Roswell and area 51.  This approachable book popularizes science by encouraging critical thinking, science literacy, and curiosity about our world.

Madame Curie by Eve Curie (her daughter), translated by Vincent Sheean – Bob has raved about this book for years, he believes everyone should read it because Mme. Curie’s life was so full and enlightening.

The Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner – A great introduction to evolutionary biology that shows how evolution is occurring now.  This Pulitzer prize winning book follows Rosemary and Peter Grant as they study the continuing evolution of the beaks of Darwin’s finches in the Galapagos Islands.

Cry of the Kalahari by Mark James Owens and Cordelia Dykes Owens – Two graduate students spend seven years in the Kalahari Desert studying wildlife.  This book will make you laugh and cry as you learn about drought, fire, lions and hyenas.

The Wild Trees by Richard Preston – This page turner gives the reader a view into a primordial world 350 feet up in the crowns of the world’s tallest trees.  The book explains the ecology of the floor and the canopy while interweaving personal stories of recreational tree climbers (including a wedding in the canopy) and the specialized equipment they use to sky walk.

The Hot Zone by Richard Preston – A non-fiction thriller about the Ebola virus spreading through laboratory monkeys in Virgina.  Mr. Preston gives the history of the Ebola virus and a description of how these filoviruses work.

Claire’s brother Ted is, as she likes to say, the east coast version of Bob Kahn: he, too, teaches 8th grade biology (as well as AP Bio) at the Friends Seminary in New York City.  His heart is in the cloud forest of Costa Rica, though, and he goes back to visit or spend a year whenever he can.  He’s a passionate environmentalist whose carbon footprint is about as small as a modern man’s can be and tends to be about five years ahead of the curve in figuring out what we should be doing to make the world a better place to live. 

Flight of the Iguana by David Quammen – Essays (originally magazine columns) on far-ranging topics.  (Claire’s note: I loved the one on black widow spider babies, which hatch in Quammen’s office.  He gets down to really look at them and says we should never kill anything without studying it and making an effort to connect to it first.)

Anything by Richard Dawkins – Best known in recent years for the splash he made with The God Dilemma, back in the 70′s he published a book that changed the way people looked at and discussed evolution, The Selfish Gene.

Biophilia by EO Wilson – A collection of essays by one of science’s most beautiful and engaging writers.  (Claire adds: a study of ants Ted did with Bert Holldobler back in college ended up referenced as a footnote in Holldobler and Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning book The Ants.  Cool, right?)

Beak of the Finchby Jonathan Weiner-  See discussion above, both Ted and Bob loved this book.

Kluge: The Haphazard Construction of the Human Mind by Gary Marcus – Kluge is an engineering term for a clumsily designed solution to a problem and Mr. Marcus argues that our brain is a patchwork design evolved from the experiences of the human past. 

 Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character) by Richard P. Feynman and Ralph Leighton – a series of humorous stories about Richard Feynman, Nobel prize winner, physicist, and member of the Manhattan Project.  The underlying message is to continue to think critically, learn by understanding rather than rote and never give up on unsolvable problems.  (Kim decides:  This will be my 2009 science book.)

New Mysteries Worth a Spin

The Private Patient by PD James – The latest offering by arguably the greatest living mystery writer.  A country-house murder fuelled by rage at failure and fissures in Britain.

Greasing the Pinata by Tim Maleeny, published by Poisoned Pen Press- a fast caper sure to keep you engaged about the investigation into the death of a former Senator and his son, both bodies found dead in a water hazard on a Mexican golf course.  This title was recommended by both bookstores.

Blackbird, Farewell by Robert Greer – a combination of basketball, murder and mystery as a promising young player is shot to death just before joining a pro team, the Denver Nuggets.

Veil of Lies by Jeri Westerson – in 14th century London, a former knight turned investigator looks into a case of a wife’s adultery which turns far more serious when the husband is killed.  This is the first book is a series worth following.

Ghosts at Work by Carolyn Hart – Ms. Hart’s new character is a form of angel who comes to the rescue of a pastor’s wife when she finds a dead body on her porch and fears she or her husband will be a murder suspect.

King of Swords by Nick Stone – not for the faint at heart, the Miami duo work through a voodoo priestess, a Haitian gang leader and possibly corrupt cops to solve the murders of people with tarot cards found in their stomachs.

For our Younger Mystery Readers

The 39 Clues by Brian Selznick – see our previous review of this adventure

The Houdini Box by Brian Selznick – 10 year old Victor emulates Houdini and actually meets him once in a train station.  After Houdini’s death, Victor receives a box with the initials “E.W.”  It isn’t until many years later that he realizes that “E.W.” stands for Ehrich Weiss.

I first “met” S. Krishna when she contacted me via e-mail to ask if I’d be interested in sending her an advanced copy of my book to review on her blog.  I was and I did.  I was impressed by the depth and quality of all of her reviews–not to mention by how much reading she does–so she seemed the natural choice for this list. (And fortunately for us, she was willing to spend the time to put it together.)  Check out her blog for more reviews, and read the following (we won’t tell if you want to buy any of these books for yourself!)–Claire

When Claire asked me to write a top-ten list of books that appeal to women, I was at once honored and stumped.  After many, many list iterations, I decided to approach this using the assumption that women prefer a multitude of book genres, rather than the same, basic plot of girl-meets-guy, girl-screws-up, girl-wins-back-guy.  As such, I’ve picked out one book for each of ten categories (plus a few honorable mentions thrown in, just for good measure).  If you’re buying yourself a book, or purchasing a book for a loved one, you can’t go wrong with these titles.

About Me:  I write a book review blog called S. Krishna’s Books.  I review books that primarily appeal to women:  chick lit, women’s fiction, historical fiction, and some mysteries and non-fiction thrown in for good measure.  Please feel free to come by and leave a comment!

Literary Fiction
Love Walked In – Marisa de los Santos
I would buy anything that Marisa de los Santos wrote.  I don’t care if it’s horror or fantasy or romance or non-fiction; I would buy it and happily read it.  De Los Santos has a lyrical quality to her writing.  It is breathtakingly beautiful, sometimes almost painfully so.  Love Walked In is the story of Cornelia and Claire.  Cornelia is a woman who loves movies, especially The Philadelphia Story, and Claire is an eleven-year-old girl whose mother is mentally unstable.  These two form an unlikely bond which affects each more than they realize.  Love Walked In is being made into a movie starring Sarah Jessica Parker as Cornelia.

Honorable Mention: Belong to Me – Marisa de los Santos [Review on S. Krishna's Books]

What If?
Time of My Life – Allison Winn Scotch
We’ve all had those thoughts – what if I had stayed with the one who got away?  What if I hadn’t made those choices?  What if, what if, what if…Time of My Life is the tale of a woman who actually gets that chance.  One day, Jillian Westfield wakes up in the past.  Her loving husband and infant daughter are gone.  It’s seven years ago, and she gets to do everything all over again.  This is an entertaining read with a great message:  it’s ok to have doubts, but appreciate what’s in front of you.  [Review on S. Krishna's Books]

 Multicultural

The Sound of Language – Amulya Malladi

 The Sound of Language is a quiet book.  It’s beautifully written and melodic, proving that simplicity is the key in this case.  Raihana is a refugee from war-torn Afghanistan trying to make a new life for herself in Denmark.  She tries to fit in and learn the Danish language, but not everyone is welcoming.  She begins to help a crusty old man named Gunnar with his beekeeping and the two slowly form an awkward and unlikely friendship.  The Sound of Language is a simple and beautiful story about the power of friendship and love against the bitter backdrop of war and racism.  [Review on S. Krishna's Books]

 Honorable Mention:  Cutting Loose – Nadine Dajani [Review on S. Krishna's Books]

 Non-Fiction

Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office – Jen Lancaster

If you haven’t read Jen Lancaster’s works, stop what you’re doing and go buy them.  Seriously.  They are absolutely hilarious and completely sarcastically loveable.  Jen’s snarky sense of humor is on full display in her first memoir, and it only gets better from there.  Not sure if you’re up for non-fiction?  Trust me, these books read like they’re novels.  If you want a dose of Jen before taking the plunge into Bitter is the New Black, try her website at http://www.jennsylvania.com.

Honorable Mention:  Laughing Without an Accent – Firoozeh Dumas [Review on S. Krishna's Books]

Historical Fiction

The Splendor of Silence – Indu Sundaresan

Indu Sundaresan is an amazing author who casts a spell over her readers with her use of words.  The Splendor of Silence is set during India’s fight for independence from the British.  It is a complicated novel with many twists and turns, as well as superbly written characters.  Though her historical fiction novels about Empress Nur Jahan, The Twentieth Wife and Feast of Roses are more well-known, The Splendor of Silence has a quiet beauty to it that readers will love.

Honorable Mention:  The Heretic Queen – Michelle Moran [Review at S. Krishna's Books]

Tragedy
Anybody Out There – Marian Keyes
For me, Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes is THE chick lit book.  It’s the one that showed me that chick lit can be anything that other novels can be – smart, funny, deep, and tragic.  It’s the novel I use when presented with the argument that chick lit is complete fluff with no depth or substance (though that description applies to precisely none of the novels on this list).  Keyes manages to deal with grief and loneliness without making the book weighty or difficult to read.  All of Keyes’ books are gems, but Anybody Out There is my personal favorite.

Coming of Age

The Opposite of Love – Julie Buxbaum

The Opposite of Love is the story of a damaged girl who slowly begins to break down as her life falls apart.  The story begins with Emily breaking up with her wonderful boyfriend, Andrew, simply because he was thinking about proposing to her.  If that isn’t enough, her beloved grandfather seems to be getting weaker every time she sees him, and she still hasn’t fully dealt with the death of her mother.  Buxbaum’s powerful novel is beautifully written and casts an emotional spell on the reader; you’ll find yourself invested in the characters as you frantically race to discover what happens to Emily.  [Review on S. Krishna's Books]

Young Adult

Violet on the Runway – Melissa Walker
Violet on the Runway is the story of Violet Greenfield, a normal, slightly awkward teen who happens to fall into the world of modeling.  I know, you’ve heard this plot a hundred times before right?  Well, Walker manages to put a new spin on this classic teen fantasy.  The impressive thing about it is that Walker seems to have just as many adult fans as teen; the novels in the Violet series are fun, entertaining, and appeal to a broad audience.  [Review on S. Krishna's Books]

Simple & Sweet
Sweet Love – Sarah Strohmeyer
Have you ever wanted to read a book that makes you feel warm and gooey inside?  If so, then Sweet Love is not to be missed.  It’s a simple and sweet story about Julie, a single mother, and Michael, the man that got away.  The real twist is that Betty, Julie’s mother, is the one who made sure Michael had nothing to do with her daughter, but now realizes that she may have made a grave mistake.  It’s one of those books that leaves you with a smile on your face.  [Review on S. Krishna's Books]

 Sisters
The Smart One and the Pretty One – Claire LaZebnik
What chick lit list would be complete without a book about sisters?  The Smart One and the Pretty One captures the relationship between sisters Ava (the smart one) and Lauren (the pretty one) perfectly.  Of course, there’s the love/hate dynamic, but Claire also convincingly portrays that undefinable bond between sisters.  Add a hot, charming man and a bit of self-exploration and you’ve got yourself a great read that any woman would enjoy. [Review on S. Krishna's Books]

Okay, I’m a little bit amused:  I posted the following on my personal website and of course it’s all one big joke.  This is very much a tongue in cheek post.  But I gave it a title that I knew had the potential to show up in search engines (the title you see above, minus the question mark).  And today I have a record high number of hits on my blog.  I can only imagine people’s reaction when they realize that the “best holiday gift ever” suggestion is completely unhelpful.  I’m afraid I may not have made any friends and, yes, Kim, I feel slightly guilty (Kim thinks I have an overly active sense of guilt).  On the other hand, record numbers!  Woo-hoo. 

Although the following was written specifically about the books I’ve had published, rest assured that it also works for anyone else’s books, which is why I feel it belongs on this blog as well as mine.  This blog is all about liking books.  So why not find some new ways to gift them?

Struggling to find the right gift for that special someone in your life?  Hoping to rein in your spending this year?  Worried that a fun gift won’t be practical and a practical gift won’t be fun?  Then give the gift that’s all things to all people: a copy of one of my books!

“But no one in my life reads these kinds of novels except me,” you say in protest.  Ah, but that’s where you’re not thinking this through.  A neat, small paperback can serve so many functions.  Sure, people can read it–no one’s going to stop them–but think of all the other ways they can use each and every one of the novels and non-fiction books I’ve written (available online and at your local bookstores).

1.  Origami kit for the creative kid in your life.   Sure, you could buy those expensive toy store versions, with the fancy designs and high prices, but do you really want to drop twenty bucks on some paper?  Any one of my books provides hundreds of sheets of good-quality paper, perfect for folding into swans, frogs, and cups (maybe don’t drink out of those–lord knows what the ink is made out of). 

2.  A novel makes an excellent single-serving trivet.  Piping hot bowl filled with delicious chicken soup coming out of the microwave?  Put that baby on top of Same as It Never Was and no harm will come to the finish on your kitchen or diningroom table.

3. And speaking of tables . . . is yours wobbling a bit?  Nothing like a slim paperback novel (The Smart One and the Pretty One is the perfect choice) slipped under the shorter leg to make everything shipshape and tight as can be.

4.  Cat tunnel.  Love that special cat in your life?   Buy two or four copies of Overcoming Autism and lean them against each other in a triangular pattern, creating a tunnel underneath.  Your cat will love running through, especially if you put a little treat at one end.  (Works for rodents and teacup pups too!)

5.  Got a relative who’s too short but doesn’t like to admit it?  Don’t insult him or her with something as obvious as a stepladder: a short pile of books bound together will give him the boost he needs without hurting his feelings (and costs much less than a fancy stool!).  Don’t be surprised if he starts carrying it everywhere he goes!

6.  Teach your boyfriend or husband to “read between the lines.”  Write him a passionate love note on pages torn out of one of my books, squeezing your words in between the text.  And to really get him in the mood, I suggest using page 211/212 of The Smart One and the Pretty One.

7.  Mantelpiece decoration.   The martini cover of Knitting under the Influence will bring a party mood to  any living room.  Buy lots so your gift recipient can put out a whole row of them–it’ll be the most festive looking fireplace in town!

8.  Back pillow.  My husband carries an inflatable little pillow everywhere he goes for extra back support.  But a book is far less obtrusive and invalid-y, and still provides that crucial lumbar support when slipped between a chair and its sitter.

9.  Fly Swatter (my 8-year-old supplied this one).  I think it’s self-explanatory.   Give this to your relatives who live by ponds or lakes.

10.  Yule Log–nothing burns brighter than a well-written novel, except a dozen of them!

There you go: ten wonderful choices for gift-giving this holiday season.  Your work is done and, come Christmas morn or Chanukah eve, you can just bask in the gratitude of your loved ones.   

No need for thanks–I do it out of love.

Time to go to your local independent bookstore and buy some great gifts.

Here are her books picks for intermediate readers:

Counting on Grace by Elizabeth Winthrop  Grace is thrilled to leave school and help her parents out by going to work in the mill in her small Vermont town in the early 1900′s. Does she dare imagine a better life for herself, away from the mill, where children do not need to work? 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney  Follow Greg’s first year in middle school as a tries to be popular, but can’t always help what choices he makes.  (Sequels: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Book) 

The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin  What child doesn’t believe that their dolls come alive at night? These dolls do! Anabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft come alive at night to solve the mystery of Auntie Sarah Doll’s disappearance. (From Kim – I haven’t read this book and it sounded creepy, but Yapha assured me these are lovely dolls, not Chucky.)  (Sequels: The Meanest Doll in the World and Runaway Dolls) 

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis  Elijah is the first child born free in Buxton, Ontario, a town founded by runaway slaves. Join him on his journey to help a family friend free his wife from slavery as well. 

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen  Brian is the only passenger on a small plane when the pilot suffers a massive heart attack. Brian manages to land the plane successfully, but how can he survive in the North Woods of Canada on his own?  (Sequels: The River, Brian’s Winter, Brian’s Return, and Brian’s Hunt) 

Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick  Told through both words and pictures, this is the story of Hugo, an orphan living in the Paris train station. His life takes a drastic change when he becomes entangled with a strange girl and a bitter old man.   

The Mother-Daughter Book Clubby Heather Vogel Fredrick  Four sixth-grade girls, with seemingly nothing in common, learn about themselves and each other as they read Little Women in a book club set up by their mothers.  (Sequel: Much Ado About Anne) 

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall  The four Penderwick sisters spend the summer in a guesthouse on the Tifton’s property. Mrs. Tifton wants nothing to do with them, but her son Jeffery becomes fast friends with the sisters. Their adventures together help them learn more about each other and themselves.  (Sequel: The Penderwicks on Gardam Street)  

Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix  Jessie is living an ordinary life in a small-town in 1840, until her mother takes her aside and tells her that the year is 1990 and Jessie has to escape into the outside world to save the children in her “town.” She has never seen a car, a phone, or a television. Can she do it? Could you? 

Shredderman: Secret Identity by Wendelin Van Draanen  Nolan Byrd is tired of being pushed around by Bubba Bixby, so he sets up a hidden camera and an anonymous webpage to bring down the bully.  (Sequels: Attack of the Tagger, Meet the Gecko, and Enemy Spy)

C. Leigh Purtill is a YA writer whose novels have passed the Annie Test–my daughter would barely raise her head and acknowledge anyone’s existence while reading Leigh’s two wonderful books, Love, Meg and All About Vee.   Leigh also has a blog that you should check out.   She’s just a terrific, honest, and interesting writer.

Anyway, I figured who better to put together a list of great YA novels than a great YA novelist?  So here are Leigh’s top thirteen (for no particular reason–just the number we ended at) YA novel picks.  Some of them were written specifically for the YA readership; others were written for adults but really resonate with that age group.  All of them would be appreciated by the young adult in your life.

1.  GOOD ENOUGH by Paula Yoo – Korean-American overachiever, very funny and sweet.

2. IN YOUR ROOM by Jordanna Fraiberg – 2 teens fall in love through email when their families swap houses for the summer

3.  ALIVE AND WELL IN PRAGUE, NEW YORK by Daphne Grab – a teen whose father is suffering from Parkinson’s moves from Manhattan to a small town in upstate New York

4.  BOY PROOF by Cecil Castellucci – her earlier novel about a geeky teen girl who falls in love for the first time

5. SEEING EMILY by Joyce Lee Wong – a novel in verse about a Chinese-American teen girl in Virginia

(Leigh points out that the following books are edgier than the preceding ones, so caveat emptor.)

6. QUAD by CG Watson – a school shooting told Rashomon-style

7. LIVING DEAD GIRL by Elizabeth Scott – a teen who was kidnapped as a 10 year old is now 15 and is “scouting” for her replacement – a harrowing and heartbreaking story

8.  WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr – an urban fantasy about a girl who can see faeries (not your typical Tinkerbell-types…)

9.  SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson, if not a classic, then destined to be one. Anderson won an NBA for her current novel.

10.  WICKED by Gregory Maguire, this book is far superior to the Broadway musical and is thought-provoking and topical.

11.  THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME  by Mark Haddon.  The narrator, who has Asperger’s syndrome, tells a story that is both funny and poignant.  [Note from Claire: as a parent of a kid on the spectrum, I found this novel incredibly believable, compelling, and moving.  Buy it for the adults in your life, too.]

12. THE LOVELY BONES by Alice Sebold, a story told by the victim of a violent crime from the afterlife.

13.  A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY by John Irving, my very favorite of all of his books.

This Fall, Keith and I have spent our Wednesday date nights attending an art history class at UCLA.  Our professor, Maria Di Pasquale, Ph.D., was informative and a hoot.  We’re very excited that she is offering art history experiences throughout Los Angeles (we had thousands of ‘university’ date nights during college and law school, our interest in re-visiting that experience is limited).  Maria offers private tours at all of the major museums in Los Angeles–tours of the permanent collection, or selected temporary collections (the tour for the Huntington exhibit on Greene and Greene looks terrific), or customized tours such as American Art at the Los Angele County Museum.  What a great way to spend an afternoon!  I’m ready to sign up for her touring classes, a visit a month at a different museum for six months, it feels like a traveling book club but the focus is on art.  Maria gives lectures to groups and hosts art trips, I’m pushing for a trip to see Maya Lin the second week of January, feel free to help me convince her.

Ten Books for People who Enjoy Art

I asked Maria to recommend ten books for people who love art, books that have an engaging message or story to tell without being pretentious.  I can’t wait to start reading them.  Some the books are non-fiction and some are fiction, in fact one of my all time favorites books made the list at number seven. 

The Judgment of Paris, Ross King (2006) This is a riveting, novel-like telling of the history of Eduard Manet and the politics of the Parisian Salon in the mid-19^th century.

Anthony Blunt: His Lives, Miranda Carter (2001) Carter tells the wrenching story of the dichotomous life of Anthony Blunt, one of the 20^th century’s most important art historians and a notorious spy.

Devil in the White City, Erik Larson (2003) Larson contextualizes the history of Chicago’s 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition in a thrilling way by juxtaposing the work of architect Daniel Burnham with the true story of a serial killer who used the fair to mask his deeds.

A History of Illuminated Manuscripts, Christopher de Hamel (1994) Don’t let the banal title fool you. This is a very entertaining description of the way early books were used, the people for whom those books were made, and how and why those books were decorated. The author allows his distinctive, personal voice to shine through, and it makes for very companionable reading. The illustrations in this book make it coffee-table worthy as well.

Odd Man In: Norton Simon and the Pursuit of Culture, Suzanne Muchnic (1998) This biography of Hunt’s Foods founder Norton Simon chronicles an important chapter in the history of the arts in Southern California, and offers insight to the man who put together the phenomenal collection that resides in his museum in Pasadena.

From Bauhaus to Our House, Tom Wolfe (1981) People either love Tom Wolfe or they hate him, and maybe the same can be said about International Style architecture. Either way, it is hard not to enjoy this witty reflection on modern architecture in the United States.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, E.L. Konigsburg (1967) This is the book that first made me dream of being an art historian.  It’s the story of two children who, in an attempt to make their lives less ordinary, run away from home and take up residence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Read it aloud to younger children, but it’s perfect for a fourth-grader to read on his/her own.

The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age, Simon Schama (1987) This is a masterpiece of social art history. Schama describes a complete picture of Dutch life that is a necessity for full understanding of the art of 17th-century Holland.

Theories of Modern Art: A Source Book by Artists and Critics, Herschel B. Chipp, ed. (1984) There is no substitute for reading the writings of the artists themselves, and this classic anthology offers a broad selection of manifestoes, theory, and personal letters from Vincent van Gogh, Vasily Kandinsky, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and many others. 

A Rebours (Against Nature), J.-K. Huysmans (1884) This strange, plotless novel captures the spirit of fin-de-siècle decadence and ennui in the story of a man who immerses himself in a private world of art, literature, and sensual excess. It will give you a new, visceral insight into the context of Symbolist art. Robert Baldick’s translation is best.