A book I'd like to give:

Careless in Red
Elizabeth George

Our “Web Goddess,” Hannah, lives out of state and I’ve never met her in person. Nonetheless, I’ve had a chance to get to know her a little bit from her reading tastes and her artwork. I happen to know Hannah is an Elizabeth George fan, so if I were to give Hannah a gift... I would give her a copy of Careless in Red by Elizabeth George edition featured in the catalog!

Books I'd like to receive:

Love Poems for Married People
John Kenney

The title of this book sounds more romantic than perhaps it really is. It is in fact poetry, but heavily dosed with humor, and if you’ve been in love a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng time, you know humor goes a long way in making love last.

Yellow House
Sarah Broom

I’m interested in this memoir set in New Orleans which recently won a National Book Award! I love that the family’s stories are anchored in a particular house while history marches forward.

Books I'd like to give:

Red at the Bone
Jacqueline Woodson

I LOVED this slender book! It’s the story of an African-American family dealing with an unexpected teen pregnancy, and the changes that pregnancy brought to each person involved. The story is told through the voices of five different characters. It’s powerful, beautifully written, and a book I’d love to share.

A Better Man
Louise Penny

This will be the perfect book for someone who loves the Chief Inspector Gamache series as much as I do. In this, the latest installment, Gamache works in the midst of an impending natural disaster as he seeks to locate a missing daughter. At the same time, his own daughter and her family are preparing to leave the country. It’s vintage Penny with rich character development, a moral dilemma, and a convoluted plot. Be prepared for the recipient of this book to disappear while reading it!

Books I'd like to receive:

Gaudy Night
Dorothy Sayers

The mysteries of Dorothy Sayers have been favorites of mine for many years. The very best one is Gaudy Night, and my copy is in tatters. This limited edition would be a wonderful way to replace it, and an opportunity to go to Oxford with Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Wimsey. Did I mention this is an early book espousing feminism as well as a great mystery?

The Yoga Plate
Tamal Dodge and Victoria Dodge

I’m not a vegan, but I have practiced yoga for many years. I’m intrigued by this book’s promise to marry yoga and nutrition. The recipes sound delicious and the pictures are gorgeous.

Books I'd like to give:

Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss
Margaret Renkl

This book is both a memoir and a collection describing the author's observations of the natural world as viewed from her Tennessee home. It is lovely and thought provoking.

How to Raise a Reader
Pamela Paul and Maria Russo

I have several nieces and nephews who are parents of young children. I know that they would welcome the authors' suggestions for motivating children to read and love books.

The lists of recommended books will be appreciated too.

Books I'd like to receive:

Ruby and Roland: A Novel
Faith Sullivan

I have loved reading Faith Sullivan’s past novels. Her characters have drawn me into their lives. I'm looking forward to once again escaping into their world.

Wild Blueberries:
Nuns, Rabbits & Discovery in Rural Michigan
Peter Damm

Initially, I am drawn to this book simply because I enjoy reading memoirs. The fact that the writing and illustrations have been praised for their beauty makes Wild Blueberries even more appealing.

Books I'd like to give:

Virgil Wander
Leif Enger

This book is called a “timeless all-American story” and it’s set north of Duluth. Sounds like a winner.

This Tender Land
William Kent Krueger

A coming of age story reminiscent of Huck Finn, AND it’s by the store’s most popular author.

Books I'd like to receive:

I am C-3PO: The inside Story
Anthony Daniels

Wow—there’s sci-fi in the holiday catalog, and it’s about a character from Star Wars! Hint, hint.

Artificial Intelligence: An Illustrated History
Clifford Pickover

The catalog also has a science book—count me in.

A book I'd like to give:

The Forever Sky
Thomas Peacock, illustrated by Annette S. Lee

I have already purchased the picture book Forever Sky for my four great-grandchildren.

How to Raise a Reader
Pamela Paul and Maria Russo

They are a reading family and I think the book How to Raise a Reader is a perfect choice for their parents.

The Body: A Guide for Occupants
Bill Bryson

I have read several of Bill Bryson's books and really enjoy how he takes a simple subject and explores it in unusual ways. I'm thinking that The Body would be fun for the medical professionals in the family.

The Twenty-Ninth Day:
Surviving a Grizzly Attack in the Canadian Tundra
Alex Messenger

I can think of several men in the family who would enjoy this harrowing and suspenseful story.

Note: Author Alex Messenger will be at our Author Fest in June.

Books I'd like to receive:

The Giver of Stars
Jojo Moyes.

My top choice is a story of five women who take the library out to the people living in the mountains of Kentucky during the depression. Having been a librarian, I know I'll enjoy this story immensely.

Ruby and Roland
Faith Sullivan

Virgil Wander
Leif Enger

My other choices are both by Minnesota writers so are bound to be good.

Books I'd like to give:

Guitar: The World’s Most Seductive Instrument
David Schiller

My brother and two of my nephews play guitar. I’m sure they would love this beautiful book.

Country Music: An Illustrated History
Dayton Duncan, Ken Burns

My sister was glued to PBS when the Ken Burns series aired. I’m sure she would love the images and further information this book supplies.

Books I'd like to receive:

Me: Elton John
Elton John

I loved the movie Rocket Man. It made me interested to learn more about Elton John. I also love the title Me. What a perfect title for an autobiography!

Joy of Cooking
Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becher, Ethan Becker

My mother gave me Joy of Cooking about 50 years ago. My book is literally held together with shipping tape: it’s the first place I go to in so many cooking situations. I must have this book! But it would have so much more meaning if someone I love gave it to me.

Books I'd like to receive:

Swede Hollow: A Novel
Ola Larsmo

This is a family saga, focusing on the difficulties faced by Swedish immigrants to the United States over a hundred years ago. My family were immigrants from Sweden, and I’d like to compare their experiences with the book.

This Tender Land
William Kent Krueger

After ringing up so many copies of this book, I’d love to curl up with it and read the story of four orphans who ran away from a state school in search of better futures for themselves.

Mimi must be thinking of her grandchildren; all the books she’d like to give are for young people and may be found in Youth Yak.

Books I'd like to give:

How to Cook Everything:
Completely Revised Twentieth Anniversary Edition
Mark Bittman

For 20 years, Bittman’s books has been THE guide for home cooking. This completely revised edition will be a great gift.

Virgil Wander
Leif Enger  

Jen’s continuing enthusiasm for the book is recommendation enough for me. Here's Jen's review.

Books I'd like to receive:

Milk Street: The New Rules
Christopher Kimball

This book promises a new twist on every recipe, either a tip, a simplified technique, or some sort of twist on the ordinary. I’m a sucker for this sort of thing. After all, who doesn’t like variety in the kitchen?

Swede Hollow: A Novel
Ola Larsmo

This book shares an immigrant story close to home, telling the story of a group of Swedish immigrants who settle in Swede Hollow, a ramshackle community on the edge of St. Paul. at the turn of the 20th century.

The Complete and Original Norwegian Folktales of Asbjørnsen  and Moe
Asbjørnsen and Moe

This book promises a collection of authentic Norwegian folktales, as well as introductions to the early edition of the tales, and information about the process of collecting them. I can imagine reading one or two each winter evening.