Oddly (but maybe not to RPers) I would like a couple of books that I have already read. Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will have a permanent home on my shelves, and I spotted a nice edition of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's Gift from the Sea at Barnes and Noble. I have been meaning to purchase the latter for several years. A gift certificate would be very, very nice, although I am sure I will not receive one.

I would like to have Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society for myself. I have bought a B&N gift certificate for a nephew-by-marriage whose name my husband has for Christmas; There Is No Me Without You, Too Small to Ignore, and The Prodigal God for a niece who works with a missionary society whose name I have and who sent a list of titles to choose from; The Love Dare from the Fireproof movie for my husband; The Purpose of Christmas and Christmas Jars for stocking stuffers for my brother and my sister; and a gift certificate for a young great-nephew's birthday gift just after Christmas. No book for my daughter so far, which is unusual.

I picked up some books for our local toys for tots campaign earlier today. I tried to reach most of the age levels for children. I got The Lonely Doll by Edith Dare,
Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag, The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner and a few others that I can't remember the titles of just now.

For myself, I discovered recently that I am missing hardcover copies of some of my favorite Georgette Heyer's so am working on composing a wish list for future reference.

I'm giving various and sundry books to most of my friends and to my step-daughter,-- most are history-related. I would love to have a gift certificate to B & N but doubt that I will get one, as I was given a total of THREE last year....

Due to the unexpected yet fairly sweeping master bath renovation we have suddenly undertaken, DH and I are not exchanging gifts. I have cut back on book purchases anyway-no more room at the inn. But there is that new P.D. James, since I own all the other ones in hardback...and my copies of In This House of Brede and ...and Ladies of the Club are rather tattered-so a book gift card would be fab.

"The Tales of Beedle the Bard" to my DD -- maybe she'll let me read it, too.
"The Guernsey Literary and PPP Society" for my book club exchange book.
"Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors" by Bill Bryson -- an early Christmas gift to myself. :)
That's all so far, but there's still time.

I don't buy/ask for/expect to receive books or book tokens as presents anymore, being of an age when 'de-cluttering' is more of a priority, but have made an exception with The Anglo Files by Sarah Lyall, as recommended to me by a US friend.
After reading this I will understand more fully what and why Americans think of their 'Brit' cousins!
I had my eye on Florence Nightingale by Mark Bostridge a just published and weighty tome bringing new light to bear on the 'Lady With the Lamp'. Unexpectedly I found a brand-new copy at our mobile library. I have taken it out and will keep renewing it . . . probably for months.

I'd like How to read a Film by James Monaco. It is a book that gives you the basic knowledge on how to interpret a film. I've always wondered, e.g. , waht does it mean when a film critic states: "it had a good screenplay but the movie was ruined by a lazy direction". How can the direction be lazy? Or why did the director choose to shot a particular scene from the left rather than from the right, back, high... etc. I was told this book holds the answers to my quest. I don't if I will get it for Christmas, unless I buy it myself. However , I'm going to buy it all the same, because I thought it is the right gift for a friend of mine, whom I will meet in yhe holidays after a long time since we meet last.

grelobe

I broke down and ordered myself an early Christmas present yesterday from the river company: The Digital Photography Book. It's all about digital photog. (obviously) but shows you step by step how to use all the little gizmos and gadgets on the SLR camera to get the pics you want. I have a pretty good eye, but I'd like to use my camera to its capacity and am hoping this book will help.

Happy Christmas to me! :-)

I have a new item on my Wish List and the public library is giving it to me - I hope - fingers crossed - today or tomorrow. It is a boxed set of nine Pedro Almodovar films. I can't wait. A couple of them are unavailable singly (here, at least). Libraries are like Christmas every day, but this is extra-special.

I bought a couple of book gift certificates, and got Boom for my son, hoping he doesn't have it, but I am able to return it if he does. Also got a Richard Skarry book for the 5 yr. old great grandson, plus little books for the three new little greats. I would love to get book certificates myself, and would get the new P.D. James and Elizabeth George and Nevada Barr, and, and, and.......

I maintain an Amazon wishlist at all times. My DH often consults it at gift-giving time. Books wander on and off it. Sometimes I buy the books myself; other times I get them at the library and decide I don't need to own them. Sometimes I just change my mind. When it grows to gargantuan proportions I prune it ruthlessly.

I don't worry too much about accumulating too many books in the house. I want a lot of books around me. If my tastes change, or I know I'll never read a certain book again, I give books away, often to the Friends of the Library sale. I have been very generous to them over the years. And in lean times when I can't afford to buy books I want, I use libraries heavily. I'm not being extravagant. Many of my books are bought used or as remainders at bargain prices.

Gift cards for bookstores are always welcome gifts for me.

I always ask for gift cards to Barnes and Nobles, since I can get used books on their website much cheaper than a new books. That way, instead of getting one new book as a gift, I can order myself 3 or 4 used ones;-).

Used books I would like to buy with my gift cards this year: Ada by Nabakov; Empire of the Sun; A Town Like Alice; maybe Forever Amber or Now Face to Face.

I would love a keeper copy of The Guernsey Literary and PPP Society, but a book store gift card would be perfect.

Well, what did everyone get? My stepdaughter read my mind accurately and I got a B & N gift certificate. Another lovely and unusual gift came from overseas: an older tome on English cottage design. Another friend thinks I ought to read the work of Paul Auster, so I was given "Timbuktu." The rest of the reading material I was given will go to the thrift store....

I got just what I wanted, which was gift cards to Barnes and Nobles.

I've already ordered (used):

Ada by Nabokov
The Stain by Rikki Dulconet
Forever Amber by Kathleen Wilson
The Gormenghast novels by Marvyn Peake
Empire of the Sun by ? Ballard (I think)

Now I just have to wait for them to come in the mail....

I got what I was looking for and hoping for which was a large gift certificate to B&N so been rubbing my hands with glee and wondering what to buy with it. I did pop in there on the 26th to buy some 50% off calendars and Christmas stuff (presents for next year) and was thrilled to see a Christmas book by Robert Sapado who is a paper engineer and does these fantastic pop-up books which are usually pretty expensive. This one was half-price and so I quickly picked it up for my nephew for next Christmas. I love sales.

Going there tomorrow morning (Sunday) and will see what's there. Plus I have to get my People fix. :-)

B&N! a nice gift card.

I received a nice Christmas gift of a sort when I spoke to my mother today. I gave her The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Literary Society and she read it in almost one sitting, neglecting her household duties because she couldn't put it down. I was gratified to have given her a book she enjoyed so much. She gave it to my sister, who probably won't read it as she hasn't read a book in 20 years, but I hope the copy will eventually find its way to another reader.