Christmas Lists II: Books I Recommend Giving

Lots of books end up under my Christmas tree. This is list of books I think would make good gifts this year (not that anyone on my list is necessarily going to get them, just in case knowing eyes are reading this): At Home with Books: How Booklovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries by Estelle Ellis (for bibliophiles in general and especially those building or fantasising about a home library); Citadel of the Spirit: Oregon's Sesquicentennial Anthology, edited by Matt Love (a collection of essays celebrating 150 years of the Beaver State; for Oregonians in fact or spirit); The House of Mondavi by Julia Flynn Siler (history of America's foremost wine dynasty; for wine drinking business types, especially those keen on Napa Valley); Love Among the Chickens by P.G. Wodehouse (his first novel; an ideal introduction for Wodehouse newbies, but also good for fans because, not being part of one of his popular series, it is unlikely they've read this one); The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World* by Guillaume de Laubier (pure biblio-porn; for those less interested in the practicalities of "living with" books); Nothing to Lose by Lee Child (the latest in the Jack Reacher series; for all the Reacher Creatures on your list); and The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon (my favorite read of 2008; for anyone who loves a well-written, totally engrossing yarn). * I particularly like this book because one of the libraries featured (including the picture on the back cover) is in the school in Metten, Bavaria where my cousins attended.