The Shopping Continues . . .
December 13, 2009

You’re not tired yet, are you? Good. I’m glad to hear that because I’ve found more shopping gifts for you to look at. On your mark, get set, let's go . . .

The New York Public Library has some lovely things for all genres of book lovers. For the cook, how about this cutting board book? It comes in two sizes, and it strikes me that even non-cooks could use this to keep their books from leaning over once a book is removed from a shelf for reading. Simply slide this into the empty place, and things are good again.

Or how about mugs? This Thoreau mug offers some wisdom with your morning coffee. The Library Façade mug’s design, the beautiful Beaux-Arts landmark building is taken from a drawing by its renowned architects. For Shakespeare or language fans, the Shakespeare’s Insults mug offers a large selection of what passed for obscenity more than four hundred years ago. It certainly eclipses today’s boring and low-class curses, and who knows, you might find something that you can even take into the workplace.

Oh, oh, oh, somebody get me this: Edward Gorey’s Dracula: A Toy Theatre. It’s actually based on the set and costumes design for his Broadway production of Dracula. And includes fold-ups and fold-outs of characters, stage sets, and stage furniture.

Do you know anyone who loves or is fascinated by miniature books, that is, books no taller than three inches? If so, Miniature Books: 4,000 Years of Tiny Treasures is a must-own one. It’s lavishly illustrated and covers all genres of books that have been published in tiny sizes.

Stationery is always good for those who enjoy sending and receiving real mail. These Reading Woman and Reading Woman II boxed notecards are perfect for any reading woman.

Journals come in all types. This Books to Check Out journal, inspired by the old due date stamp cards in library books, is designed to keep track of books read, favorite passages, books loaned and borrowed, and even has a handy pocket for review clippings. A leather-like journal with foil stamping is simply beautiful, but not expensive so she should have no trouble writing in it. You can also get manuscript journals that reproduce different authors’ writings on the cover including Charlotte Bronte and a slim Gutenberg Bible journal.

Personal items can be fun. Soap, for example, now comes in all types and shapes that you can use to create a fun bath basket. Or you can just give someone an organic soap set that comes in this Book Box.

Wrapping your gifts in a literary way is also possible. How about a gift box made from wild-grass that comes in both a large and a small size?

Your books deserve a place to rest as much as you do, right? If you agree, then I think you’ll like these “deck chairs” that function as desktop bookholders. For reading in bed or in a chair, there is the Hold It, a flexible, durable floor standing bookholder, laptop support and writing stand in one.

Memo pads are not just square anymore. For people who adore shoes of all kinds, these might be of particular interest, and they are unlikely to get lost amid any desk clutter. Or for your favorite mystery/murder fan, there’s this special notepad and pen, unlikely to be missed no matter where it resides.

Pet people who are also readers will, if they prefer dogs, love these Fetch Toys in the shape of a book and with dog-friendly titles (no offense to Harper Lee and Joseph Heller). You can’t buy them directly from this site, but they have a link to retailers who do carry them.

Does anyone you know like street signs, the way they look and feel? If you want to gift them with one—but not steal one—then try this sign shop that will be happy to make you a custom street sign. Charles Dickens Drive? Oscar Wilde Way? Sense and Sensibility Street? Jane Austen Avenue?

If it’s not enough to have books on the shelves, you may want books as your furniture. How about this Stacked Books Table, which is perfect for an end table or, since books and wine go so well together, this set of Six Book Coasters?

You can also find functional art furniture by This Into That. What is it? Mostly bookshelves made of books. Or perhaps a Library Accent Table is what you are looking for. This one is painted for an antique look, and has four drawers. Probably better for libraries, but for those who can afford it and who have the room, these pieces of book-shaped furniture are sure to be a hit with children.

If you want to help make a difference in the world while shopping, look at the Helping Hands for Africa website. They have a number of items, but their bookmarks, journals, notebooks, and cards and envelopes are exquisite.

For writers, there are any number of gifts, but I’ll just point out one book this week that I want to recommend: The Writer’s Essential Tackle Box by Lynn Price. First, I must disclose that BiblioBuffet is part of this. Lynn interviewed a number of industry professionals including moi for her book that gives writers a look at various people and professions in the publishing industry. It includes interviews with agents, publishers, writers’ advocates, freelance editors, book reviewers, book distributors, and more. You also get Lynn’s sharp, snarky humor that she usually reserves for her blog. Seriously, though, all writers who hope to be published (and even those who are published) should read this in order to understand the business of publishing.

Books are hard to recommend because there are so many good ones, and everyone has her or his own taste in them. That said, if someone you know likes fun books, these Tank Books will definitely fit the bill. Don’t buy them there if you live in the U.S., though. The dollart-to-pound ratio is a killer, and the shipping makes it worse. Go here (when they have them in stock again). The price is much better.

And what do book lovers always need? Bookcases, of course! (Why would you even ask?) There are a number of places that sell them including this site (which offers free shipping), and this one that has solid oak bookcases among others. This online store is one of my favorite places to search out bookcases because they have such a wide selection and any number of ways to search. If you’re handy, this article gives step-by-step instructions for building one and given that it’s from Popular Mechanics you can be assured the instructions and illustrations are both helpful and accurate.

No one need spend much or even any money, though. Look carefully, and you’ll find some great ideas for gifts that can bring joy and satisfaction. E-cards are becoming more common, and though I believe it’s best to stick with real holiday cards, these can be lovely and cheerful additions for the readers in your life. How about some bookplates? Here’s a lovely one for a girl that you can download and print. And this. Or any of these or these for young readers. Free printable bookmarks can also be found. For children, these are particularly nice as are these. And these are lovely. Biblio.com is giving away bookmarks they have—and these are really nice. Unfortunately, they have run out so you’ll have to wait until the new year to get some. But “bookmark” the site and check back.

Not all bookmarks are free, but all are gorgeous. If you are looking for a unique bookmark, look no further than any of these. Book Jewelry offers bookmarks you can custom design by choosing your colors, charm, beads, and ribbon, or you can buy one already made. The excellent prices are the same for either one. Or you can choose Bookmarks as Permission Slips.

Clothing is always good too. If you are a librarian you undoubtedly know about Unshelved, but for those to whom it is new, I’d like to share the Unshelved “industry.” It’s a comic strip with its own blog, an annual “Pimp my Bookcart” contest, and an online store. Their list of items is extensive, and any book lover (not just librarians) who enjoys tee shirts is bound to appreciate “Will Work for Books” or “Read Irresponsibly” or my favorite, “Biblivore.” They also offer totes. If you are looking to spend only stocking stuffer amounts, how about a bumper sticker? “Guess What I’m Reading” is my favorite.

Libraries almost always have stores to help support themselves (as do museums), and naturally their items are either books or items related to books. You might want to check your city’s and state’s main libraries for gift ideas. The famous Los Angeles Public Library Store, for example, offers a wide array of merchandise. Here are some of my favorites: Bookopoly, a game for children and adults; Bone Chillers Ice Tray (for skulls and cross-bones ice cubes); a packet of bookplates and stickers that say “This Book Belongs to . . .” in a variety of designs; a colorful book clock; the Bright Idea bookmark; a board game called Literati Challenge that has players writing short stories; a “Books Alone Are Liberal And Free” tote bag; a leather L.A.P.L. bookmark; and for everyone a “I Heart My Library” magnet.

If you are still shopping for gifts, I hope this week’s list of links has given you some useful ideas. Next week will be the final part so I am going to make you a special offer. If any of you have something specific in mind and can’t really find it let me know, or if you would like some suggestions for a particular person, tell me about that person. I am rather famous (locally) for being able to find unique gifts that are “perfect.” And I think it might be fun to be presented with a challenge like that.

Upcoming Book Festivals:
Unfortunately, there are none coming up this week.

The Pub House:
Bleak House Books specializes in mysteries, both reprints of classics and new books. These mysteries tend toward the darker side—cozies not allowed—but they excellent. Among their newest releases are Dead Renegade by Victoria Houston, the latest in the Loon Lake series, that features murder, burglaries, fly fishing, and convoluted relationships in a thrilling tangle of questions. Just out is Seahawk Hunting by Randall Peffer, the second in Seahawk series that focuses on the Civil War on the seas. Hotdoggin’ by Anthony Neil Smith is for those who like them darker than dark with a special government agent who is willing to do anything to capture someone he views as a traitor—he just didn’t count on a turquoise motorcycle, rednecks, and a vengeful woman. Eric Stone brings out the worst in Hong Kong with his latest, Shanghaied. Carnivorous Tibetan monks, a Chinese bank, a murderous sociopathic veteran of the Grenada invasion along with bodyguards, drugs, sex, and various business moguls, friends, and foes enliven this deadly international adventure.

Of Interest:
Thomas Frognall Dibdin (1776-1847) was an English bibliographer and author of Bibliomania (1809) and Bibliographical Decameron, a larger work which appeared in 1817. Frognall Dibdin’s Shelves is a book blog by a self-described “Boston bibliomaniac,” a male graduate student whose charming intellectual wanderings make my day brighter. In a recent post titled Brown Paper Packages, he muses about the impact the selection of packaging the bookseller made has on the recipient. “A fine book in elegant wrappings enchants a collector even more,” he writes, something I think everyone would agree with.

The blogger’s attention goes far beyond wrapping, however, though. Whatever he writes about is done so with grace, elegance, and a sense of beautiful intellectualism. It’s almost an insult to call this a blog since the essays—and that’s what they really are—are thoughtful discourses with minimal links to disrupt them. They are a delightful ride through the thoughtful mind of someone worth knowing.

This Week . . .
I want to share news about an essay contest connected to the Riverside Dickens Festival, which will be held in February, 2010. The contest is for middle and intermediate school writers who are being asked to discuss the theme of “how the lessons learned by Scrooge in A Christmas Carol illustrate that one must be charitable and give to others less fortunate so as to save oneself from personal toment. The contrasts established in the novel between selfishness and giving should be considered and related to contemporary times, Christmas 2009, the end of a hard economic year that may have negatively affected our families, neighbors and friends.” Prizes are $100, $50, and $25. More details can be found on this page.

Until next week, read well, read often and read on!

Lauren