The Best Gifts Are Books

14 years ago

Several books to look forward to this Christmas.

From my S-in-Law The Etymologicon by Mark Forsyth. Described as a 'circular stroll though the hidden connections of the English language'. Apparently Forsyth writes a blog under the name 'inky fool' and his interest in words goes back to a christening present of the Oxford English Dictionary. Nothing like an early start.

My husband gave me The Necessary Aptitude a memoir of English popular entertainer Pam Ayres, who is possibly not know outside the Commonwealth, but is a witty and very down-to-earth country girl.

Also Mr Tibbits's Catholic School by Ysenda Maxtone Graham. Originally only a small print run from the Slightly Foxed press, but the 'word' got about and it is proving very popular, even the PM "Call me Dave" Cameron is reading it (I can hear Dido's teeth grinding in disgust). I will report back.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pam Ayres . . . on husbands.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

woodnymph2_gw
14 years ago
My BF gave me two wonderful books: "Apollo's Angels: a History of Ballet" by Jennifer Homans. As well, "Gardens of Historic Charleston" by James Cothran. This last one is a treasure: many colored photos not only of the gardens, but of the tropical trees and bushes and flowers that I see constantly in this city. I've been wondering what the names of each unknown are. Now, I have a reference book!
rosefolly
14 years ago
We have solved the what-do-you-want-for-Christmas puzzle. I make an Amazon wish list. My DH buys from it, though he as my blessing to make different selections if he prefers. It makes things easy for him, and I always love what he gets me. This time he shared it with other family members as well.

I received two costume history books (A History of Underclothes and From the Neck Up), an art book (Decorative Designs of CFA Voysey) and a gardening book (Reimaging the California Lawn) that I have had my eye on. Not only that but The Reading Woman calendar and the BlueRay version of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

I gave my DH books as well, some new mysteries, Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and Fleet Street Murders. My son was floundering for a gift for him and I suggested a book on the history of bicycle gears, The Dancing Chain. He loves it.

We have a son-in-law who likes SF and enjoys my taste in that genre, so we sent him the three volumes of N.K. Jemison's Inheritance Trilogy.

We had a wonderfully book-filled Christmas. And I am reading The Hunger Games, which I bought for myself.

Merry Christmas to us all, and happy reading.

Rosefolly
Related Discussions
Good Rose Gardening Instruction Book for Gift?
Q
Comments (6)
When I lived in that area I would recommend the Ortho book on growing roses. Sunset has one too but I liked the Ortho book better. Don't remember why. The Sunset book would be very area-appropriate at least, with no confusing info on unnecessary stuff like winterizing and blackspot and japanese beetle. Some people do get insulted by the "for Dummies" titles. Guess they don't realize it's a very popular series. My aunt went off on my uncle (her brother) when she asked for a basic computer book and he gave her the 'for Dummies' one. Total temper tantrum. I glanced at the new Better Homes book when it came out. I saw that it's recommending diazinon for things like midges, even though diazinon was removed from the market by the EPA, some years ago. Anyone know what's up with that?? has diazinon been rehabilitated, or what? I've been not recommending it because of that.
...See More
Best books/gifts for Chicago gardening?
Q
Comments (1)
When I first read your message, I missed the part about wanting a book about vegetable gardening. I gardened in the Chicago area for many years, and my overall favorite book was The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting and Pruning Techniques by Tracy DiSabato-Aust. For vegetable gardening, I always used the "Victory Garden" by Crockett, or "The New Victory Garden" by Thompson. Alas, these books are only available as used books or for very high prices as new books. I noticed a book recently published - Guide to Illinois Vegetable Gardening by James Fizzell. While I have not read the book myself, he is very well-regarded. He was the horticultural advisor to the University of Illinois Extension for 35 years. The University of Illinois Extension is a valuable resource. They had various locations across the state, (I've been gone for 4 years, not sure if they still have them.) Anyway, you could call for advice. If you had a particular plant or plant pest problem, you could visit the extension office to have the problem diagnosed and treatments suggested. I really miss the taste of homegrown Illinois tomatoes and also the taste of sweet-corn. The soil around Chicago is very heavy soil, with lots of clay, so you need to add lots of peat moss or other organic matter to lighten it. However, it is also very rich soil. Unfortunately, some of the best farmland in the country is now under concrete in the suburbs around Chicago. I wish them luck in their new location. Where are they from? Perhaps the conditions are not as dissimilar. My top advice: 1 Peat moss and other organic matter 2 Water tubes around tomatoes in the spring (I think Burpee or Parks sells them) 3. Mulch the garden - weeds also grow very well in the rich soil 4 Old sheets or blankets for the fall - you can sometimes get 3 weeks more growth in the fall if you cover your tomatoes during an early frost. I think the average first frost date is October 15.
...See More
UPDATE: Best New: Best Gift Robin '2006'
Q
Comments (104)
Hi Victoria, WOW! You did such an EXCELLENT job of preparing the perfect package! Items for... brightening my garden, pampering my senses, and things to record seasonal changes, plans, thoughts for next year in my garden. I personally think she should win ~Best Gift Robin 2006~ Here is a pic of all what was sent... and I'll describe all the goodies in the box after the picture. In the box was a gorgeous clay (ceramic) Garden Angel, and a journal, cute Geddes cat pen. I plan on using the journal and pen to make notes/thoughts on the garden this year, and plans for next years garden! Also, gardening gloves/seeds were included. Italian parsley, Astilbe, Sweet Basil, Culvers Root Alba, Coriander, Nepta Subsessilis, Window box sweet peas, Monarda, Gloriosa Daisy, Dill. A few packages of Sweet Ginger peach tea --YUM! (I can't wait to try this tomorrow) and write in my new journal about all the new plans I have for several new window boxes my Husband promised to make me. Along with revamping a few flower beds! Some bulbs were included-- a bag of Crocosmia, and a flash light. Does she think of everything, or what? LOL! Jobes plant spikes..to insure some good healthly houseplants! And stuff to pamper myself with! Sugar Pear shower gel, Sugar Pear Lotion, Sugar Pear Body Butter, Sugar Pear Body Mist. I love the light scent! It smells sooooo good! Just when you thought the box couldn't carry anymore, LOL! A grooming kit, plus 2 cucumber melon candles! And the box was a gorgeous cheeta animal print along with a cheeta print hand towel! Also, a clay thermometer, potpourri, and a CD she personally 'mixed/burned' all the songs for. Its such relaxing music, I love it! I hope I didn't forget anything! I'm sooo happy with the box, you really out did yourself, Victoria! Thank you soooo much! Hugs,
...See More
Best book-club books of the recent past
Q
Comments (7)
I just posted our selections on the 2011 Book Club choices thread. (I tried to post the list earlier, but my Firefox browser crashed just as I was finishing, so I turned off my computer in frustration.) Since you've asked in this thread, I'll repeat the list: Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah Biography Night (individual choice) Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor Our community One Read book (title as yet unknown) Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick Shanghai Girls by Lisa See My group has already read several of the the suggestions that were offered in this thread, and generally we liked all of them, so I think we'd like the others as well. I will keep this list handy for future selections. Thanks again! -- Kathy
...See More
J C
14 years ago
Books make great gifts, there is no doubt. I just received an Amazon gift certificate, hooray! I have an idea or two of what I would like to get.
lemonhead101
14 years ago
I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I didn't receive one book for Christmas. Or even one book-related thing. Nada. Zilch. Nowt.

But when I think about it, it's not as though I don't have 500 books lying on the TBR shelves... :-) Plus - I did get some booky things for my birthday in early December...

Perhaps this is the Universe telling me to look at my TBR pile...!

:-)
carolyn_ky
14 years ago
This afternoon I started reading The Sense of an Ending from my gift bag of bookie goodies that my daughter gave me last week.

I didn't get any other books for Christmas, though.
sheriz6
14 years ago
I had a thoroughly book-filled Christmas. Like Rosefolly, I keep an Amazon list, and that's what the family bought from this year. I received nine novels and a set of genealogy books I'd been wanting for years. I am a very happy camper :)
jlsch
14 years ago
sheriz,
I also love genealogy, but have not read any related books, aside from histories of specific geographical locations. Do you have any recommendations?
rouan
14 years ago
My younger sister gave me Jane Austen: an Illustrated Treasury which I have just begun to explore.

Another person gave me a gift card for Barnes & Noble and I am having fun trying to decide what to purchase...in fact...

Rosefolly, you mentioned the Annotated Jane Austen books on another post; I am seriously considering using my gift card to pick those up!
ladyrose65
14 years ago
I'm the oldest, I usually get nothing. I treat myself. I bought roses from Rosemania.com this Christmas.
rosefolly
14 years ago
Ladyrose65, Roses are good. So are books on roses. When you give yourself a treat, you know you got exactly what you hoped for.

Rouan, I'd be interested in hearing which book you ended up getting with your gift card.

Rosefolly
rouan
14 years ago
Rosefolly,

I bought the Annotated Pride & Prejudice done by ? Shapard (I forget his first name...). The other one I spoke to you about is on my wish list. :)
sheriz6
14 years ago
Wigardener, the books I received for Christmas are from the New England Historical and Genealogical Society, the "Great Migration" books. These document nearly everyone (well, male heads of families, at least) who arrived in America from 1620 - 1633. As my DH's family has been here since then, they're going to be very helpful in sorting his side out. Another book I've found helpful for early immigrants is Meredith Colket's Founders of Early American Families, which offers much more abbreviated info but over a longer time span. If you have early New England settlers in your family tree, these are great.

I've found lots of books available to be read online, too. In addition to books of vital records and histories of particular towns, I've also found a lot of family histories available just by Googling the family name along with the words 'full text'. It's amazing what's out there, most of it out of copyright.

The Best Gifts Are Books

Comments (12)

woodnymph2_gw

rosefolly

Related Discussions

J C

lemonhead101

carolyn_ky

sheriz6

jlsch

rouan

ladyrose65

rosefolly

rouan

sheriz6

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US