Chicks On Lit discussion

I would like to get my step-mom a book for Christmas and I'm not sure what to get her. I'm hoping you all can give me some suggestions as she and I don't really care for the same kind of books.

She likes the Oprah picks, Ann Patchett, she loved The Shack, she really loved Their Eyes Were Watching God. I want to get her something that's new and just out that she would love.

Any thoughts?

Oprah's latest selection is really good. The Life of Edgar Sawtelle. I highly recommend it.

I don't know Ann Patchett or The Shack. :( Hmmm...


What about The Wednesday Sisters? The Art of Racing in the Rain? Twilight? (hee hee)

Maybe there's a book by a goodreads author she might like.

Time Traveler's Wife?

Would you consider a how-to book, or a cookbook? A while back an ex bought me the "Real Simple Solutions" and it has come in handy lots of times. I know "Real Simple" has various books. My favorite go-to cookbook is "Rachael Ray's 30 minute meal" series.

Without any other info about your step-mom that's the best I can come up with. Of course, if she isn't domestic these ideas suck...

Holli,

What about Guernsey?? I think anyone would love that!! Other ideas - Ann Patchett just wrote a new novel called "Run"; "Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore; The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
If I think of more, I'll post them later - good luck! I love to give and receive books for the holidays. They are by far the best gifts!!

If she likes Zora Neale Hurston, maybe something by Alice Walker (i.e. The Color Purple) or Toni Morrison (i.e. Beloved)?

If you really don't know, maybe a B&N gift card? My husband does that for me a lot, because he knows I love books, but he would never have the foggiest idea what to get me. If your tastes are really different, maybe she wouldn't like what you got her. Or, it might be a way to open her to something she wouldn't ordinarily read.

You guys are excellent!!! My mind is racing with idea now..... I think she would love any of those suggestions actually. You all did good :)

I'm glad you got some help, Holli.. I was going to cop out and tell you get her a card. I hate picking out books for folks. Gift card is much more my speed. :)

If she's into religious books, she might love the Mitford series by Jan Karon. The first one is At Home in Mitford. My husband and I actually BOTH loved this one (and he & I are QUITE different reading wise.) This is actually a very popular series, both in AND out of religious circles.

Also, I like Beth's idea of Guernsey. I would recommend that book to virtually anyone. Even teens. I think it has almost universal appeal.

Edgar Sawtelle or Eat Pray Love. I bought Eat Pray Love for 3 of my girlfriends last Christmas and we all read different books but it went over great!

I gave her Eat Pray Love and she didn't like it. :( Edgar Sawtelle is a good one for her I think!!

i'd suggest 'under the tuscan sun' by frances mayes and then build around that theme perhaps with a basket filled with pasta/sauce, olive oil, etc?
i swear when i read that book i could SMELL the olive trees!

Great idea Mich! I may have to borrow that one!!!

Oh Mich - first the bookmark ideas and now this - you're one of those Martha Stewart women, aren't you?

It is a great idea, I'm just jealous is all...

:(

I need a pattern to be crafty. But I wish I didn't!

Laura, any way you can get your craft swerve on is good!

Thanks Jo!

the Real Simple books are fabulous. nice to read or just look at, and helpful!

Hey Holli,

I know you said recent release... but has she read Barbara Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible? That's such a wonderful book and I know most women I know have loved the book.

I'll agree the book themed basket is a GREAT idea.. I may just use that this Christmas myself... thanks! Think of all the possibilities...

I love the themed basket idea too. I am going to borrow it myself.

The Poisonwood Bible is definitely amazing. One of my favorites.

haha.. my husband got a huge laugh over me being compared to martha stewart! i believe in creativity NOT cleaning! i admit i do like to watch those diy and hgtv crafty shows. AND the way i figure it, if i'm hiding out in my stamp room then i dont have to look at the rest of the house!
oh hey.. i posted the details on the bookmark swap too incase anyone is interested!

AND LAURA>>> give me a holler, i'll help ya be crafty anytime!(MORE reason to put play!)

Thanks, Mich! Can you help me decorate too? I'm good at things where there is a step-by-step, like recipes, patterns. I can knit, crochet, quilt, cross-stitch - BUT I have to have a pattern.

So as much as I'd love to arrange flowers or make seasonal wreaths, tie beautiful bows, I stink at all that stuff. And decorating. It's fun for most people, right? I dread it. What takes someone else 10 minutes to decide, I angst over for weeks. So I'd prefer not to do it altogether.

But I really want a beautiful house! I work from home, and clients come here, so I don't want it to be ugly :(


(My husband is OCD clean and I'm like you on that score as well...)

I love seasonal/holiday decorating! I clean in spurts! And things do tend to get messy 'round here between those spurts! (My husband's a Marine! And I'm starting to be a bad influence on him!!!)

Hmmmm......Poisonwood Bible or Life of Edgar Sawtelle....which one is better do you guys think?

I thought PB was too depressing. I kept wanting to slap those people senseless. What the H was wrong with them? And I love B.Kingsolver.

I haven't read Edgar, but I would go with that.

PS - Hi Holly !!

Hey there Laura!!! I'm on my grandma's computer today so thought I would try to catch up with our group. Miss you all :)

We miss you too, smile face.