Christmas Presents for Bookworms

      Since the holidays are right around the corner, I figured I would put together a gift guide of something I feel comfortable making recommendations on: BOOKS!  Books are great presents for anyone of any age.  I'm always on the hunt for new books to read, but every once in a while I stumble across one that becomes part of my collection of favorites.  So here are my recommendations if you are looking for inspiration!

• For young fantasy adventurers above The Magic Treehouse level:

 

1. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis - The first of the seven part The Chronicles of Narnia series and the prequel to The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe.  I don't recommend starting them off with anything other than the first two or they'll be lost.
2. The Warrior Heir (Book 1 of The Heir Chronicles) by Cinda Williams Chima

• Lovers of young adult novels about dystopian societies like The Hunger Games would also love:

1. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
2. Divergent (and the sequel, Insurgent) by Veronica Roth

• Harry Potter lovers who are fans of adventure and aren't turned off by violence:

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1. City of Bones (Book 1 of The Mortal Instruments Series) by Cassandra Clare
2. Game of Thrones (Book 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire Series)

• Teen novels with substance:

1. The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

• For adults who love Downtown Abbey:

• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

• For the history buffs:

1. Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose
2. Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Frase

• Contemporary fiction lovers:

1. Room by Emma Donoghue
2. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

• Lovers of tear-jerker stories and/or animals:

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
2. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
3. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

• Friends who like feel-good films or spiritual fiction:

1. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
2. Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo

• Nonfiction that's actually interesting and memoirs:

1. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
2. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

• For a light read and some laughs:

• Seriously, I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres