Need ideas for Christmas gifts?
I mean, usually I do. I don't celebrate it myself since converting to Judaism more than a decade ago, but my kids and parents and such do, and I'm usually a bit stumped for ideas. More to the point, when my family members ask me what I want for Christmas (yeah . . . they kind of didn't really get the memo, so I still get Christmas gifts from them. Because tradition), I am often completely stumped.
Writer/reader gifts
If you, like me, are stumped about what you'd most like for Christmas this year, may I suggest that any of you who are writers (and many of you who are not writers) put Views from a Window Seat: Thoughts on Writing and Life by Jeannine Atkins on your list? Next to Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird and Stephen King's On Writing, this is the book you want for inspiration, motivation, and support. I am completely and totally serious. And yes, Jeannine is a friend of mine (one I've actually met in person in addition to online, no less!), but this book is a thoughtful exploration of the writing process and writing life. Each essay is a gem, its truthfulness beaming at you from the page. It is heartwarming and heartbreaking and utterly beautiful. And if you are a writer, or are interested in the lives of writers or the creative process, you need this book. It is available as a paperback book at BarnesandNoble.com and as both a paperback and in Kindle format at Amazon.
Interested in writing memoir? Then you simply must pick up Beth Kephart's latest title, Handling the Truth: On the Writing of Memoir. I met Beth this summer, and was then lucky enough to hear her speak about this book at an event at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Beth excels at both writing and teaching memoir, and this book manages to convey her expertise well, and will definitely set you on the right/write path toward memoir if you're so inclined. And her writing is swoon-worthy all on its own.
You may also want one of these wonderful book scarves or pairs of writing gloves from Storiarts over at Etsy. (I ordered the A TALE OF TWO CITIES scarf for Maggie for Christmas. Shh! Don't tell!) They have Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion, Les Misérables, and more. (Bet you can guess which ones I prefer, huh?)
And, of course, books, chocolate, tea, coffee, and/or wine are always great writer presents. (I'm pretty sure that's not just me.)
Gifts for nonwriters
I'm a little scant on suggestions this year. Part of that has to do with all my recent downsizing activities. But in addition to chocolate, tea, coffee, and/or wine, I can make one additional suggestion.
For kiddies of all ages, I can't imagine a better Christmas book than the latest "scanimation" title, SANTA!, by Rufus Butler Seder. Turning the pages sets Santa into magical motion, doing everything from hoola hooping to ice skating to turning back flips and more. The book is lots of fun to watch/read, and I am thankful to the good folks at Workman Publishing for sending me a review copy of it! You can see the book trailer below.
Writer/reader gifts
If you, like me, are stumped about what you'd most like for Christmas this year, may I suggest that any of you who are writers (and many of you who are not writers) put Views from a Window Seat: Thoughts on Writing and Life by Jeannine Atkins on your list? Next to Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird and Stephen King's On Writing, this is the book you want for inspiration, motivation, and support. I am completely and totally serious. And yes, Jeannine is a friend of mine (one I've actually met in person in addition to online, no less!), but this book is a thoughtful exploration of the writing process and writing life. Each essay is a gem, its truthfulness beaming at you from the page. It is heartwarming and heartbreaking and utterly beautiful. And if you are a writer, or are interested in the lives of writers or the creative process, you need this book. It is available as a paperback book at BarnesandNoble.com and as both a paperback and in Kindle format at Amazon.
Interested in writing memoir? Then you simply must pick up Beth Kephart's latest title, Handling the Truth: On the Writing of Memoir. I met Beth this summer, and was then lucky enough to hear her speak about this book at an event at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Beth excels at both writing and teaching memoir, and this book manages to convey her expertise well, and will definitely set you on the right/write path toward memoir if you're so inclined. And her writing is swoon-worthy all on its own.
You may also want one of these wonderful book scarves or pairs of writing gloves from Storiarts over at Etsy. (I ordered the A TALE OF TWO CITIES scarf for Maggie for Christmas. Shh! Don't tell!) They have Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion, Les Misérables, and more. (Bet you can guess which ones I prefer, huh?)
And, of course, books, chocolate, tea, coffee, and/or wine are always great writer presents. (I'm pretty sure that's not just me.)
Gifts for nonwriters
I'm a little scant on suggestions this year. Part of that has to do with all my recent downsizing activities. But in addition to chocolate, tea, coffee, and/or wine, I can make one additional suggestion.
For kiddies of all ages, I can't imagine a better Christmas book than the latest "scanimation" title, SANTA!, by Rufus Butler Seder. Turning the pages sets Santa into magical motion, doing everything from hoola hooping to ice skating to turning back flips and more. The book is lots of fun to watch/read, and I am thankful to the good folks at Workman Publishing for sending me a review copy of it! You can see the book trailer below.
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