GIFT GUIDE: Open up another world for your favorite reader
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — Sometimes, the hardest thing about selecting the right book is there are just so many good ones.
“Yeah, sometimes you may not know where to start,” said Robin Shorb of the BookShop, 212 Main St.
Shorb’s mother, Dortha Feaster Coalter, owns and operates the independent bookseller, but Shorb is there helping most days.
When hitting the shelves for the best books for the folks on your Christmas list, a good place to start is with people who love books. Shorb and Coalter definitely fit that bill.
Book lovers will gladly share their opinions on the best reading material.
Still, selecting books can be a bit tough. When hunting for the right book as a gift, ask yourself three things: What does this person like? What do they enjoy? What do they already read?
Shorb said hobbies are a great place to start when it comes to buying books as gifts.
Hobbies can run a wide range of topics. Some people love cooking, but they might prefer a certain type such as baking or Cajun cuisine. If you’re not sure what’s hot in the cooking world, browse the Food Network or other cooking channels.
Or simply ask the local bookseller. Shorb has several suggestions, including one of the most popular, “The Pioneer Woman Cooks” by Ree Drummond.
“That one is extremely popular,” she said.
And don’t forget politics. While you might not think it’s a hobby — and maybe it’s not — many people follow politics with a high degree of passion. With so many authors penning books on politics and related issues, finding one isn’t very difficult. But finding the right one might be without a little guidance.
While nonfiction titles are great, you can’t overlook the fiction section. Here’s where a knowledgeable bookseller really opens up a new adventure to you and the people on your list. Shorb, a fiction enthusiast herself, started discussing mysteries, which brought up several authors. Along the way, she listed several of the bestselling writers but noted that some lesser-known authors are turning out fantastic mysteries.
That’s the way it goes across the genres.
While bestselling writers get a good amount of the spotlight, Shorb or her mother, or booksellers like them, can steer you toward some “undiscovered” authors.
Another group on your list that might find a book under the tree this year and then devour it are children. Of course, everyone knows about Harry Potter, but there has been a wealth of children and young adult authors and books since Harry left Hogwarts.
But again, it often takes a person versed in youth literature to show you the way.
Check out the Origami Yoda series (nope, we’re not making that up). One of the picture books that’s quite quickly flying off the shelves is “The Day the Crayons Quit.” And another Shrob finds captivating for younger readers and their parents who read to them is “Goodnight iPad.”
If you find a certain series, author or genre your child enjoys, consider a boxed set as a gift.
Again, whoever is on your list, a stop at the local book shop might get you well on your way to finding the perfect gift.
daniel@thepicayune.com