The Perfect Book Part 3

Part 3 of The Perfect Book. Check out Part 2 and Part1.

Hockey’s Original 6: Breathtaking, vivid photos make this perfect for book for the hockey fan.

Hard Way Around and Atlantic: For the seafarer, whether actual or would-be.

The Art of Medicine: For that doctor or medical student in the family:

One Writer’s Garden: For Eudora Welty fans, horticulturalists, and lovers of American literature. A beautiful gift book, the perfect companion to One Writer’s Beginnings.

The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick: For the delusion paranoid member of the family in search of the universal order and/or the hardcore Phillip K. Dick fan.

A History of the World in 100 Objects: For the perpetually curious interested in history.

The Art of Asking Your Boss for a Raise by Georges Perec: For the office worker in search of a new perspective on his/her toil.

The Perfect Book Part 2

Here is Part 2 of our holiday help series, The Perfect Book. Click here to visit Part 1.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith: The perfect ‘comfort book’ says Booker Prize winner Julian Barnes.

One Writer's Beginnings byEudora Welty: The perfect book for those yearning to write a memoir. This is a treasure.


Collected Poems of W. B. Yeats: The perfect collection of poetry for the nostalgic romantic in your life.

Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox: The perfect book to inspire the female athlete.

Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster: For all who appreciate good writing. A friendly approach to literary criticism and perfect for those would-be writers.

A Distant Mirror by Barbara W. Tuchman: The perfect read for the popular history enthusiast who loves copious set-pieces, anecdotes, perceptive observation and excellent writing.


Parallel Stories by Peter Nadas: For the reader in search of brilliance relatively unknown in the states and the reader looking to bite off more than they can chew.

The Perfect Book 2011

We all know books make great gifts in general, but there is something really special about finding the perfect book for someone on your list. Here are some suggestions to help you find those books. (And check out our lists from last year. These books are still perfect for the right person.)

Crafting with Cat Hair: Fun, eco-friendly crafting projects mixed with information about cat grooming and care. Definitely a neat gift for all cat lovers, whether they're crafty or not!

Design Sponge: For those who like to adorn their homes and personal spaces with a unique touch--and on a budget.

Spencer Tracy: Anyone who loves Old Hollywood will find the new biography of Spencer Tracy by James Curtis a special treat.

Flip Flop Flyball: The intellectual sports fan and/or anyone interested in graphic design.

Train Dreams: For the reader in search of America.

Ready Player One: It is perfect for the techie and gaming guru in your life; the one who has the latest and greatest of everything, both in this world and in galaxies far, far away. No batteries required.

Noir, Fatale, and He Died with his Eyes Open: Perfect for the reader who likes a little smarts and a lot of edge in their mysteries.

More to come. And while you're thinking about books, check our What a Book is Worth posts for some wonderful and inspiring meditations on the importance of books in our lives.

The Perfect Book, Part 2

The perfect book is a gift that remains important, year after year, read after read. The perfect book becomes more than just a gift, but an event in the lives of the giver and receiver. The perfect book is the start of a new phase in the life of the receiver. Having trouble finding the perfect book? Never fear. Here is part 2 of our The Perfect Book series. Click here to see Part 1.

Virga (and sequels) by Karl Schroeder: Perfect for fans of steampunk, well-thought-out science fiction, piratey action, and intelligent characters.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley: Perfect for readers of 1984, fans of "Brazil", and the connoisseur of dystopias.

Yellow Blue Tibia by Adam Roberts: Just the book for lovers of UFO conspiracies, sardonic wit, and Soviet absurdities.

World War Z by Max Brooks: Perfect for fans of Orson Well's War of the Worlds, harrowing stories of survival, and global apocalypse.

Shark vs Train: For the energetic 3-5 year old (boy, most likely) with a rambunctious imagination.

Mulliner Nights by PG Wodehouse: Perfect for lovers of wit, lightness, and joy.

To Serve Them All My Days by R.F. Delderfield: Perfect for fans of Dickens, school novels, and the English countryside.

This Republic of Suffering by Drew Gilpin Faust: Great work of Civil War history for the American history buff and/or fan of Mary Roach’s Stiff

A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz: Perfect for the rebellious teenager trying to figure out a world that just doesn’t make sense.

The Perfect Book, Part 1

We all know books make great gifts and when it's the perfect book it can be a life changing gift. But finding that elusive title is not always easy. There are just so many out there and they're all designed to say "Buy me! I am the perfect book!" The best way to find the perfect book is to stop by the store and chat with one of our booksellers for a little while. We also have staff picks, featured books on our blog, and reading recommendations on our Facebook page. But many of you will have long lists and be short on time. So we've put together "The Perfect Book," a list of books and their perfect readers to help. We'll be posting these lists throughout the holiday season. And please add your suggestions in the comments.

Blind Descent: The Quest to Discover the Deepest Place on Earth: For the adrenaline junkie who lives on the edge (as well as those who prefer to live vicariously--safely!--through others’ adventures).

French Essence: Ambience, Beauty, and Style in Provence: For the sophisticated Francophile who loves to decorate, cook, and celebrate all things français.

NOMA: For someone who likes to read cookbooks even if they never make a recipe from them or for someone who knows what “cloud berries” are.

George, Nicholas, and Wilhelm: For the Guns of August fan looking for another perspective on the build up to WWI

Sunshine by Robin McKinley: Perfect for Twilight fans looking for a fix.

Rosemary & Rue (and sequels) by Seanan McGuire: Perfect for Urban Fantasy readers and fans of the Dresden Files.

The Children of Hurin by JRR Tolkien: Perfect for lovers of The Silmarillion, Beowulf, and epic poetry.

I Hotel by Karen Tei Yamashita: For the radical young and old looking for a novel with a taste of revolution.

Sailing to Sarantium (and the sequel) by Guy Gavriel Kay: Perfect for fans of fantasy, political intrigue, and Byzantine history.

Lies of Locke Lamora (and the sequel) by Scott Lynch: Perfect for fans of swashbuckling adventure, cunning rouges, and surprises.

More perfect books coming soon.